What's New on the Lake

Invasive Spiny Water Flea Reported Increasing in Lake Winnipesaukee - Sept. 1, 2024

The Laconia Daily Sun has reported that the Spiny Water Flea has increased in numbers across Lake Winnipesaukee this season, based on feedback from anglers who report fouling of fishing lines.  Why is this important to us on Conway Lake? Spiny Water Fleas are very small and hard to detect and once in a lake they cannot be eradicated.  The key to stopping their introduction to Conway Lake is to thoroughly clean, drain and dry all gear, boats, and trailers that have been to another lake before using on Conway Lake.

 

The spiny water flea is not harmful to humans; however, it can be a nuisance to anglers when it accumulates on fishing lines, and more importantly, it wreaks havoc on the local ecosystem by decimating the food chain that fish and other native aquatic species depend on. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services will conduct formal surveys in fall 2024, but early indications show densities of the invasive plankton have increased since its discovery in fall 2023 by state biologists. State biologists warn transient boaters and fishermen to always clean, drain and dry their recreational gear between waterbodies, but especially after being in Lake Winnipesaukee, as well as the two downstream lakes — Lake Opechee and Lake Winnisquam. All fishing gear, especially fishing line, should be wiped down and left to dry for at least 24-48 hours before being used in another waterbody. These organisms spread by moving with transient boats, fishing gear, and other equipment that comes in contact with the infected water.

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See the photos of Spiny Water Flea below.  If you find this on your fishing gear in Conway Lake please report it to Maria Gross or Don Yurewicz.  If you fish or boat elsewhere it is extremely important to clean your gear!

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Conway Voters Approve Changes to Shoreland Regulations - April 2024

Conway voters approved Warrant #20 in the April election.  The warrant clarifies and strengthens regulations pertaining to the Conway  Shoreline Protection Overlap (SPO) District (all land within 300’ of the lake).   Some of the key changes include:

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1. Specifically states that the more restrictive statue between State or Town regulations will apply. 

2. A single boat shed must be at least 50 feet back from the shoreline.

3. Any cutting in the buffer zone must be dispersed evenly throughout the lot. 

4. No fertilizer or chemicals may be used in the district. 

5. No grass in the district. 

6. Docks and ramps shall not extend more than 30 feet into the Lake. 

7. Docks and swim floats shall not present a hazard to boating. 

8. Docks are for the exclusive use of the resident and cannot be rented or leased.

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Ice Out Declared - 2nd Shortest Year for Ice Cover - April 2024

Tom Deans is the official/unofficial tracker of ice conditions on Conway Lake.  Ice-In was declared on January 9, 2023, and Ice-Out was declared on April 1, 2024.  The lake was frozen for 82 days which is one of the shortest on record. The average ice coverage for Conway Lake is 107 days, and the shortest was 77 days in 2015/2016.​

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A New Invasive Threat - Spiny Water Flea - Found in NH Lakes!! - October 2023

The spiny water flea was discovered in Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Winnisquam this past September, marking the first time this aquatic invasive species has ever been detected in New Hampshire.   The tiny animal was likely introduced to the lake by boaters who visited a waterbody with an existing infestation and carried eggs or live organisms on fishing or recreational gear, or in the bilge or live well of a boat.

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                           Multiple spiny water fleas on a fishing line.                              Microscopic view of spiny water fleas.

 

Why this is significant: While not harmful to humans, spiny water fleas affect the overall ecosystem of a lake by competing for zooplankton that fish and other aquatic animals feed on, thereby reducing the fish population and wildlife, such as ducks, loons, and eagles, that feed on fish.

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Unfortunately, it will be difficult to spot by our Lake Hosts because of its minute size and there is currently no way to control the species once it enters a lake.  The best and only management option is to prevent its introduction into uninfected waterbodies by cleaning, draining and drying all boats and recreational gear after leaving a waterbody, as required by New Hampshire state law. 

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NH is on Trend this Summer, for the Fifth Year in a Row, to Set a Record for Cyanobacteria Blooms

This past year (2023) was the fourth year in a row that NH lakes have set a record for the number of toxic cyanobacteria blooms and 2024 is on trend to set another record. Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria that occur naturally in lakes, but when conditions are right (abundance of nutrients, e.g. phosphorous and nitrogen), they can multiply rapidly and create blooms on the surface of the lake.  Some cyanobacteria blooms produce toxins (“cyanotoxins”) that are harmful to animals and humans. 

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Toxic cyanobacteria blooms and their consequences. Note that cyanobacteria blooms can occur in different colors – not just green as shown here. They can also look deceptively like the pollen floating on the lake each spring that we are all familiar with.

 

For more information on cyanobacteria check out the following:

• NHDES Fact sheet on the variety of cyanobacteria: fact sheet.

• NH DES now has an interactive map that allows you to see which lakes currently have advisories or warnings.  Check it out: map link.

• To report a bloom to the NH DES, follow this link.

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If you see a film on the surface of the lake that you feel could be a cyanobacteria bloom, contact Maria Gross (maria.m.gross@gmail.com) or Don Yurewicz (don.yurewicz@gmail.com).

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Lakes experiencing cyanobacteria blooms are still usable for boating or other activities. But individuals interested in swimming or wading should avoid areas with a green surface scum and water that is not clear.

• Don’t wade or swim in the water.  

• Don’t drink it.​ 

• Keep pets out.

• Wash your hands if you’ve made contact.

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Work on the New Boat Ramp is Complete

Work on the new boat ramp on Mill St. was completed in the fall of 2023.  The new ramp includes a gravel and rock base, two steel I-beams running the length of the ramp, and preformed concrete pads laid on top of the I-beams.  The ramp has a perimeter of coarse rocks to protect it from erosion.

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