Preserve and protect the lake for the future
Lake Host ~ Weed Watchers ~ Water Quality Testing
August 2024
"Flower Festival" boat parade and Regatta: a revived tradition
Pictures from our first Annual Armington boat parade. Many thanks to Beth Wellington who revived this regatta tradition. We had seven boats, ten people and Leo (a dog). It was a delightful event!
June 2024
June Message From LAA PRESIDENT KATHY SOLOWAY
Hello Fellow Lake Armington Lovers,
All reports from the lake point to a great summer ahead. The loons are back and the lake looks beautiful. This photo was taken Memorial Day weekend by Stan Soloway. Please mark your calendars for our Annual Meeting and coffee get-together on Sunday July 14th at 10:00. Belle Soloway has graciously agreed to host us at the Soloway-Robinson Family cottage on 670 Cape Moonshine Road. It will be a potluck and as always, a nice opportunity to catch up with friends and neighbors.
It is also a great time to pay dues and make donations. (Which are most welcome as our costs keep rising). If you want to get a head start on this you can get more information here.
We would like to remind everyone that while we have a great Weed Watching team, and wonderful Lake Hosts who are working to keep our lake pristine, it is up to everyone to take care of their lake use on their own property. We should all clean, drain and dry boats, kayaks, canoes and fishing gear after using other lakes and rivers.
You can get more information on the website about this as well as find guidelines that you can post in your cottages for renters and guests that will inform them of our careful practices.
It is not luck that we have such a clean lake; it is thanks to all of you who are diligent in your boating practices. Thank you!
Looking forward to seeing you in July and until then - Happy Summer!
Kathy
And your LAA board
MAY 2024
Spring arrives
Spring is arriving at Lake Armington and neighboring lakes in NH and VT. As supporters of the Loon Preservation Society, we've learned that their live Loon Cams in the NH Lakes region are now available for viewing through mid-July, so try https://loon.org/looncam to watch the loon action.
Contribute your photos
Contribute your scenic Lake Armington photos from all seasons and refresh this website with your creativity. Scenic and wildlife pictures in .jpg format from your photo or camera are appreciated. Send them to the webmaster at info@lakearmington.org
PS...thank you to LAA treasurer Kate Merritt for the new photo here.
MARCH 2024
EARLY ICE OUT IN MID-MARCH
Ice Out was in mid-March this year, among the earliest dates ever recorded. The photo shows Lake Tarleton with open water on March 15, courtesy of Lynn Dennison. Lake Armington and Lake Winnipesaukee followed with their Ice Outs a few days later. Recent March Ice Outs on Lake Armington include March 22 in 2012 and March 20 in 2016.
Lake Tarleton view from the boat launch on March 15, 2024
JANUARY 2024
UPDATE ON WHITE MOUNTAIN nATIONAL FOREST PROJECT
In November 2023, The US Forest Service issued their decision to proceed with the forest management project that we have been hearing about for the past several years. This decision follows several public meetings and two comment periods, and their responses to these comments.
The response from the community did result in significant changes to the scope of the logging that will take place, mostly around the far side of Lake Tarleton and along the old Charlestown Road. The no-cut buffer along Lake Tarleton was extended to 300 feet and the number of acres to be affected was reduced from 880 to 690 acres, a reduction of 21.5%.
The project also includes improvements to the boat access to Lake Catherine (non-motorized boats only), opening of some recreational trails, management of invasive species, and restoration of apple orchards along the Charlestown Road.
It is estimated that the logging contracts will be awarded in 2024 and the work would begin in 2025. The forestry activities will happen over the 5 years after the contracts are awarded. Logging is to take place in the winter months which will minimize disturbance to the soil. Measures will also be taken to prevent any impact on the water quality of the lakes. The Forest Service will closely monitor all the activity to be sure standards are closely adhered to.
We have been posting information about this project on our website over the past couple of years. You can also access all the documents concerning the project by going to:
Tarleton Integrated Resource Project
Under Project Documents, drop down to Decision Notice to read a summary of the project.
There is also a group of concerned community members who remain opposed to the scope of the project and have been working with an environmental consulting firm called Standing Trees to pursue a legal challenge to the decision to proceed with the project. Information on these efforts and various news articles can be found at laketarletoncoalition.org.
We will continue to keep you updated with any new developments on this project, and we invite your questions and concerns.
DECEMBER 2023
SEASON's greetings from Kathy Soloway, new LAA President
Hello Friends of Lake Armington,
I wanted to pass along a bit of news and a lovely picture taken by Lynn DeMerchant just before Thanksgiving. I hear there is much more snow on the ground now and winter has definitely descended upon Lake Armington.
As I take over the helm as president I want to start by thanking our incredible past presidents who have stepped up to the plate time and again to guide our association over the years. Alice Wellington, Polly Tafrate and Lynn Dennison have each served as president for many years and in this last year were a tremendous triumvirate! Deborah Jensen, our new Vice President, and I will be leaning heavily on their combined wisdom!
We are already thinking about next summer and want to encourage all of you who have not already paid your dues for this year to do so by year's end. And of course if you would like to make an extra donation to the Lake Association it would be very welcome. You can pay or donate by linking to our website https://lakearmington.org/pay-by-check-or-venmo or by USPS mail to Lake Armington Association PO Box 143 Piermont, NH 03779.
One unexpected expense we faced this summer was for the removal of Phragmites. Swamp Inc. performed the first treatment/removal in September and we expect them back in the Spring to check that we are in the clear.
Some of you may have been following the Tarleton Integrated Resource Project and have heard that a decision has been made as to how the project will go forward. There was much negotiating over the past year and you can read the details by downloading this document: https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/file/1361269062428
We hear that the decision may well be challenged so it seems possible that the timeline will further slow down. We will provide more information on our website after the first of the year so please tune in after the holidays. https://lakearmington.org
In addition to paying dues we hope you will think about becoming more involved in the Association. We are looking for someone who might take over managing our website which has been beautifully cared for by Alice Wellington. We always welcome new weed watchers which is a fun way to get on (or in) the water and really demonstrate your love of the lake.
And we are also looking for folks who can help with the Lake Host program. Please feel free to be in touch with me if you have any questions about how to become more involved or would like to express any concerns you may have for the lake.
On behalf of the board I want to wish you all a wonderful Holiday Season and a New Year filled with joy and peace.
Kathy Soloway, LAA President
Lake Armington's snowfall just before Thanksgiving, by Lynn DeMerchant
SEPTEMBER 2023
~ LAKE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING ~ SEPTEMBER 9
ANNUAL MEETING SUMMARY
- Welcome, thank you to our hosts
- Financial Report
- Program Reports - Lake Host, Weed Watchers, Water Quality
- General updates, New Business, Memorials
- Vote on 2024 Board of Directors
- Close
See 2023 Annual Meeting Minutes at Living at the Lake/Documents & Reports
2024 Board of Directors
- Kathy Soloway, president
- Deborah Jensen, vice president
- Kate Merritt, treasurer
- Lisa McGiffert, recording secretary
- Arline Cochrane, corresponding secretary
- Lynn DeMerchant
- Carolyn Dorfman
- Bill Musty
- Christine Palmucci
- Sam Rounds
- Ken Settel
beneficial bryozoans live in lake armington
Aquatic invertebrates called bryozoans (moss animals) are, until recently, little-known inhabitants of Lake Armington that signal clean water and healthy lake environment. The photo (by Cindy Theroux-Jette) shows two globe-shaped bryozoans growing attached to an underwater tree branch close to shore, framed by reflections of the sky and clouds above. There are many bryozoans around the lake and throughout New England.
Have you seen them and wondered what there were?
Some Facts:
- Bryozoans may be different shapes, small or large (some 2ft across),
- Made up of a "colony" of smaller single aquatic invertebrates,
- Filter the water, not a health threat to humans,
- 5000 species exist, both ocean and freshwater,
- One of oldest creatures on earth, pre-date the dinosaurs.
See this link to NH Dept of Environmental Services description of bryozoans
https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/bb-59.pdf
Another link from Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryozoa
ORIGINALLY POSTED DECEMBER 2022
VENMO AVAILABLE FOR LAA ONLINE Dues & donations
Lake Armington Association is linked to the VENMO digital wallet service so you can send LAA Dues and Donations from your smartphone. Look for “Lake Armington Association” in your Venmo app.
Checks are accepted for Dues and Donations, as always. All contributions are fully tax deductible.
See Dues and Donations for complete info.
ORIGINALLY POSTED JUNE 2021 - STILL ACTIVE IN 2024
LAKE ARMINGTON SELECTED FOR LAKE WATER LEVEL STUDY
NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) has just selected Lake Armington to be part of a new study to learn how the volume of water in lakes changes over time. Mike Poole is Lake Armington's contact.
The study is run by the Lake Observations by Citizen Scientists & Satellites project (LOCSS), a partnership of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Washington, and Tennessee Technological University, with funding from NASA and involvement with other universities. UMASS Amherst has installed the water level gauge for the study near the dam and is Mike's LOCSS contact.
Mike and Tim Donelon take water level measurements on a schedule, synchronized with the overhead passage of orbiting satellites, and report the measurements to the LOCSS team. LOCSS pairs water level measurements with lake surface area measurements calculated from the satellite imagery to determine if the volume of water in the lake is changing.
Lake Armington joins 18 other lakes in NH in the LOCSS water level study, as well as lakes in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Illinois, Washington, France, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. For more information on this project and results for each lake see www.LOCSS.org.
The water level gauge for the water level study is in place at the dam.
POSTED MAY 2021
WEED WATCHERS UPDATE - FROM Linda Kline
Many thanks to the Weed Watcher team for their diligent efforts to protect our beautiful lake from potential invasive species! Last year's team, all continuing on, are: Wendy Cahill, Lynn DeMerchant, Lynn Dennison, Tim Donelon, James Jensen, Lisa McGiffert, Ken Settel and Kathy Soloway.
I also want to ask members of our lake community to keep an eye out for unusual weeds that you think could be invasives -- the more eyes the better. The "Frightful Fourteen" (shown below) are the major invasives to be aware of, but our greatest threat is Variable Milfoil, see photo at right and below.
If you do see what you think could be milfoil or any of the other invasives, please contact program leader Linda Kline and a Weed Watcher team member will stop by and have a look.
If we all work together, Lake Armington will continue to endure as the beautiful, healthy lake we all love and enjoy!
bladderwort - non-invasive
variable milfoil - invasive
variable milfoil - invasive
Bladderwort is a sign of a healthy lake. It is found all over Lake Armington and grows thickly as the summer progresses. It has been a concern to lake residents who mistake it for Variable Milfoil. Bladderwort produces a small, pretty yellow flower toward the end of the summer -- enjoy it and don't be concerned by its presence!
variable milfoil - invasive
variable milfoil - invasive
variable milfoil - invasive
Variable Milfoil is highly invasive and our biggest threat. Milfoil spreads quickly and is difficult to remove once it gets a toehold. We are fortunate that, although nearby lakes have been affected, Lake Armington has not had any milfoil outbreaks. We'd like to keep it that way!!
If you do see what you think could be milfoil or any of the other invasives, please contact program leader Linda Kline and a Weed Watcher team member will stop by and have a look.
If we all work together, Lake Armington will continue to endure as the beautiful, healthy lake we all love and enjoy!
Lake Armington Water quality Reports, 1987-2019
Water Quality Testing program leader Mike Poole has compiled and summarized new data from NHDES to update the original Lake Armington Water Quality Reports from 2013 by Brad Caswell.
Water analysis currently measures nine lake water characteristics: Chlorophyll, Transparency, Acid Neutralizing Capacity, Conductivity, pH, Total Phosphorus, Dissolved Oxygen & Water Temperature, Turbidity and E. coli.