Lakes water quality plan to be presented Aug. 3

By MICHAEL KITCH, LACONIA DAILY SUN

MEREDITH — The Lake Winnipesaukee Association, in partnership with FB Environmental Associates of Portland, Maine, will present a plan to address threats to the water quality in Lake Waukewan and Lake Winona at a public meeting at the Community Center on Wednesday, Aug. 3, beginning at 6 p.m.

The watershed of the two lakes includes five towns — Meredith, New Hampton, Center Harbor, Holderness and Ashland — and a mix of seasonal and permanent homes as well as some commercial and industrial properties. Both lakes suffer from low concentrations of dissolved oxygen, which hinder aquatic life, while Lake Waukewan, the source of Meredith's drinking water, has been marked by blooms of toxic cyanobacteria.

The Watershed Restoration Plan offers recommendations and strategies for reducing nutrients, chiefly phosphorus, and pollutants from reaching the lakes. Measures include public education, community planning, land conservation, best management practices, site restoration projects and water quality monitoring. The plan aims to encourage consideration of long-term strategies for improving water quality and safeguarding natural resources within the watershed among citizens, municipalities and state agencies.

The project was financed in part by a Watershed Assistance Grant awarded by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services with funds from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.