Preserve and protect the lake for the future
Lake Host ~ Weed Watchers ~ Water Quality Testing
APRIL 24, 2022
NEWS ON WMNF LAKE TARLETON PROJECT
Dear Members and Friends of Lake Armington Association,
We want to keep you informed on updates to the White Mtn National Forest (WMNF) Lake Tarleton Project, as there is currently an Open Comment period on a revised Environmental Assessment, ending May 11.
The responsible agency, the USDA Forest Service, released the revised Environmental Assessment in mid-April, in which they adjusted the scope of the project and added more details about the effects on the Forest of not doing the project.
Here is the revised Environmental Assessment: https://usfs-public.app.box.com/embed/s/pph5rsye5xs49fb0d2p6safrbsfi8t8n/file/944137708693?showItemFeedActions=true&showParentPath=true
Here is supporting info on the project: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56394
We also want you to know that there is an active group in the area, the Lake Tarleton Coalition, whose purpose is to oppose the project and have the area re-designated. Their website is www.laketarletoncoalition.org
While we, as a lake association, have not taken a position on this project at this time, we want you to have all the information that comes our way.
APRIL 22, 2022
2022 ICE OUT WAS APRIL 8
This year's ice out was on April 8th, and loons were seen on the lake as usual, no doubt looking for their nesting place. Thanks to Lynn DeMerchant for her photo this year!
- WINTER 2022 -
2022 winter photos
2022 winter photos
A view near the dam one January day, contributed by Bob Dennison.
2022 winter photos
2022 winter photos
2022 winter photos
Standing on the thick winter ice looking north toward Mt. Moosilauke. Thanks to Linda Kline.
2022 winter photos
From the western shore at the narrows, looking north, thanks to Bob Dennison.
OCTOBER 18
us forest service to present on lake tarleton project at kingswoood camp nov. 3 at 10am
US Forest Service will be at Kingswood Camp Wednesday November 3 at 10 AM to present a Visual Analysis of their proposed activities at Lakes Tarleton and Katherine. District Ranger Brooke Brown, who is in charge of the project, and her landscape architect will present on how they do their visual analysis and what the lake area might look like when the proposed forestry projects are completed.
People from Lakes Tarleton and Armington are invited. Please let Rob Wipfler know if you're coming!
RELATED TOPIC FROM JULY 18
public Comment on draft enviromental assessment for tarleton project
USDA Forest Service, White Mountain National Forest is planning the “Tarleton Integrated Resource Project” to manage areas around Lakes Tarleton, Katherine and Armington.
The link to the project documents is https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56394 . Maps of the Tarleton Project and other documentation are also on this website.
UPDATED OCTOBER 16
LAA GATHERING - DRINKS AT THE LAKE
Lake Association members and friends of the lake.
A good time was had by all!
When: Saturday, September 11, 2021
What: Annual Meeting/Social
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00
Annual Meeting Minutes are posted below. Go to the About Us page for 2022 Board of Directors.
If you missed the chance to contribute LAA annual dues & donations at the Drinks at the Lake gathering, please send your check made out to "Lake Armington Assocation and mail to:
Lake Armington Association
PO Box 143, Piermont, NH 03779.
Dues are $20 individual, $40 couple/family. Donations are any amount.
Questions? Contact us at info@lakearmington.org
POSTED JUNE 4
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 12
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!
LAA SPRING NEWSLETTER
Our Spring Newsletter is available for download below, along with the new Living at the Lake info for summer visitors, guests and renters.
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.
Ice Out Contest winners
Lake Armington's Ice Out was Wednesday April 7 at 10:36 am, and there were three "guesses" for that date. The winners are:
1st place - Scott Nicol
2nd place - Cindy and Ernie Jette
3rd place - Sam Rounds
Congratulations to the Winners!
Prizes will be awarded this summer.
Photo: Here's the Ice Out Clock on its float showing last year's Ice Out time of 2:16 pm on April 9. Photo by Lynn DeMerchant.