Water Quality Group
Working for a Healthy Lake
In recognition of increasing threats to water quality experienced by lakes throughout New Hampshire, the Crescent Lake Association Water Quality Group (WQG) became an official CLA committee at the July 2023 CLA Annual Meeting.
The mission of the Crescent Lake Association Water Quality Group is to:
• Identify threats and issues to the water quality of Crescent Lake and as necessary develop and implement mitigating actions; and
• Provide education and training to promote water quality best practices working collaboratively with lakefront residents, watershed residents, and partners.
Currently, WQG’s main efforts are leading the creation of a Watershed Management Plan and the development of educational materials to help lake residents learn what they can do to help maintain a clean and healthy lake.
Water Quality Group members:
Mark Richards (Chair and CLA Board Liaison)
Gregg Thibodeau (Secretary and Acworth Conservation Commission Liaison)
Terry Mattson (NH Lakes liaison)
Stan Rastallis (Unity Conservation Commission Liaison)
Lionel Chute (Sullivan County Conservation District Liaison)
Donna Stampone
Mark Wilson
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To contact the Water Quality Group please use our e-mail address, CLwaterquality@gmail.com
About the Watershed Management Plan
Crescent Lake Association has engaged Stone Environmental to develop a Watershed Management Plan for Crescent Lake. This is a comprehensive assessment and implementation plan that serves as a baseline to identify the best and most cost-effective projects for improvements to water quality in the lake. The CLA Water Quality Group, CLA Board, and CLEAR Trust have worked hard to bring this project to life. CLA has executed a contract with Stone Environmental, and the CLEAR Trust has agreed to fund 100% of the cost thanks to the generosity of donors from our community.
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Excessive stormwater runoff and sediment entering the lake adds nutrients to the water that can promote harmful algea blooms and unwanted aquatic vegetation growth. We have not had those issues here, but nearby lakes have seen a rise in issues during the past few years. This project is intended to help keep our lake problem-free.
The WMP starts with an assessment of the Crescent Lake watershed. In October 2024, engineers from Stone Environmental assessed the lake shoreline and inlets for erosion, bank instability, vegetation coverage and other factors that can affect water quality. In November, they performed a roads and streams assessment. They walked all of the roads around the lake to document culverts, areas with erosion, and characteristics of the larger intermittent streams that feed into the lake.
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The data collected during the on-site assessments, along with historical water test results, septic permits, and other data, will be used in the coming months to build the watershed inventory, model non-point pollution sources, and eventually develop recommendations and a list of potential actions, along with assessments of the benefits and costs associated with each action.
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The plan calls for Stone Environmental to wrap up their work and produce a final report and recommendations in time for the July 2025 CLA Annual Meeting. The end result is a Watershed Management Plan that incorporates nine elements that the EPA considers essential for a comprehensive WMP (called an “EPA a-i plan”). There may be grant money or low-cost financing available to implement some of the recommendations identified in our WMP.
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Click here for Crescent Lake Watershed Management Plan Frequently Asked Questions
Water Quality Group Newsletters
December 2023 - Introducing the Water Quality Group and ways you can help Crescent Lake
February 2024 - Water Quality Group update and lake-friendly ice control
April 2024 - Learn about cyanobacteria blooms
May 2024 - Lawn fertilizer around the lake plus rain gardens and vegetated swales
September 2024 - New rules for septic systems when properties transfer
Additional Resources
Department of Environmental Services Resources​
A wealth of information of interest to lake residents is available on the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services website. Here you can find videos, fact sheets, and other resources covering a wide variety of requirements and best practices for the protected shoreland within 250 feet of the lake. Topics include permits, erosion control, lawn care and vegetation management, docks and accessory structures, and more.
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NH Lakes
NH Lakes is a statewide organization devoted to restoring and preserving the health of New Hampshire’s lakes. Their work benefits Crescent Lake residents in several important ways:
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Advocating at the state level for lake-friendly legislation and providing resources for lake residents who want to get involved.
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Sponsoring the LakeSmart program. a free, non-regulatory, and voluntary education and recognition program. The goal is to encourage property owners to maintain their homes and property in ways that protect lake water quality, wildlife habitat, and property values.
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Partnering with Crescent Lake Association on the Lake Host program to protect our lake against invasive species such as milfoil. Lake Hosts staff the boat launch for many hours during the summer, offering complimentary boat inspections and educating boaters on ways to keep invasive species out of the lake.
Visit the NH Lakes website to learn about these important programs and consider joining.
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Lake Sunapee Protective Association
The Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA), founded in 1898, is the oldest and most active lake association in our area. Although LSPA’s primary focus is Lake Sunapee and lakes in its watershed, the organization also offers resources, education, and assistance to many lake associations in this region, including Crescent Lake Association. You can sign up on the LSPA website to receive informative newsletters.