With the lake level low, this is a great time to clean up around the lake. We encourage folks to rake up debris around the edge of the lake, and dispose of it. Lots of junk washes in during the year. Leaves and branches left in the lake will ultimately decompose and add to the sediment at the bottom. This forms a rich soil for weeds to grow, and we don’t need any more of them! If we all clean up around our own shorefront, the combined effect will be a beautiful lake.
Read MoreThere are a lot more than normal, unfortunately. One cause is something we can all do something about- reduce the runoff of phosphorus into the lake.
Phosphorus, or phosphate, is a fertilizer component that is critical to weed growth in lakes. It is present in many lawn and garden fertilizers. It's the second number in the three number label which most fertilizer bags have. A typical lawn fertilizer might be 28-4-6; the 4 means 4 percent phosphorus. The good news is that many lawn fertilizers now on the market in NH have zero percent phosphorus - the middle number is 0. Please use those whenever you can. In NH there is enough phosphorus in the soil and in rainfall to meet the need for most lawns.
Another significant source of phosphate is from dishwasher detergent. Not dish soap used when washing dishes by hand and not laundry soap; most of that is phosphate-free. But detergent used in automatic dishwashers, whether solid, powder or gel, usually contains phosphates. But there are some dishwasher detergents available in local stores which are phosphate-free. Examples are: Planet Free and Clear, Cascade Complete, Seventh Generation Ultra Power Plus Gel, Ecover Automatic Dishwasher Soap Tablets, and more. Check the label to be sure.
For the Top Ten Ways to keep lakes healthy, check out this short summary: https://nhlakes.org/wp-content/uploads/1-Lake-Friendly-Actions-Top-10-Ways-to-Keep-Lakes-Healthy-NH-LAKES.pdf
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Thank you to the many enthusiastic participants of the annual 4th of July boat parade!! This year we had 36 boats take part in the parade and many more took part cheering them on from the shoreline. If you have any great pictures from the parade you are willing to share we would love to post them on our website...just send them to our email info@canobielake.org.
First Place Winner, pictured above, was Bubbling Bathtub - by the Kelly/Acker family.
Read MoreThe Canobie Lake Protective Association will continue its long-standing tradition of holding a Fourth of July boat parade . The parade will start at "Rocky Point" at 1 PM and proceed around the lake, returning to Rocky Point.
Judges in kayaks will observe the boats along the parade route. Prizes (first, second and third place) will be awarded. The only decoration requirement is the displaying of the American flag. All sizes and types of boats are welcome. Shoreline observers are encouraged to wave and cheer from the shore.
If the parade needs to be postponed due to bad weather, it will be announced on this website.
Please observe all safe distance and mask guidelines. Happy Fourth!
The Town of Salem has put mandatory water use restrictions in place, effective June 25, 2020. This applies to all who use water from the Town’s water system. It restricts lawn watering by manual or automatic sprinklers. Until further notice, watering is only permitted on odd-numbered days from the hours of 12 AM (midnight) to 10AM. There are penalties for violations. For details see: https://www.townofsalemnh.org/sites/salemnh/files/uploads/salem_nh_water_restrictions_-_june_25_2020.pdf
In the summer Salem draws water from Canobie Lake. Heavy lawn watering causes the lake level to drop rapidly. To be a good neighbor, the CLPA encourages those who draw water directly from Canobie Lake to follow the
same restrictions as Salem.
Construction is underway to install water and sewer lines throughout the neighborhood as well as to reconstruct the roads and build proper surface water drainage systems that will best protect the lake.
As you recall these were 2 voting articles on March 10th where the CLPA board took a supporting position and
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The Windham Selectmen met on April 20 and discussed the boat ramp access issue. Their decisions were:
No change to access at this time. That means no lock on the gate and access is allowed from sunrise to sunset.
A decision on any changes to access will be deferred until all interested citizens can give their views in a public meeting.
Meanwhile, Windham police Chief Lewis is requested to meet with representatives of the Canobie Lake Protective Association and the concerned neighbors to develop a recommendation for the
Selectmen.
There are two Warrant Articles on the ballot that have the endorsement of the CLPA Board of Directors as we see will directly benefit Canobie Lake.
The first is Article #9 which would fund the construction of water and sewer lines through the West Duston Road neighborhood. There are a number of reported failed septic systems on houses directly on the lake.
The other is Article #14 which would continue the Town’s 10-year road program and fund improvements in the same neighborhood. There is a considerable water drainage problem through the neighborhood resulting in large amounts of untreated water flowing directly into the lake. The road project is planned to alleviate this problem
Please vote Yes on these articles to benefit the lake.
Read MoreWe'd like to encourage folks to not let yard waste get in the lake. This is especially important at spring and fall clean up times. Yard waste includes leaves, grass clippings, branches and brush. This material ultimately settles to the bottom of the lake, decomposes and makes a fertile bed for weeds to grow. And we're all concerned about keeping the weed growth down.
Read MoreAt the CLPA Annual Meeting Krystal Costa spoke about the LakeSmart Lake-Friendly Living Program offered by NH Lakes. It's a free, voluntary certification program that recognizes and rewards property owners who maintain their homes and the surrounding landscape in ways that help keep lakes clean and healthy. A comprehensive guide to the program and supporting resources can be obtained here:
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The Fourth of July was a beautiful summer day and the Boat Parade was grand! More than twenty decorated boats participated. The first place winner was the newly re-created steamboat Canobie Queen, by the “McKackerson” families.
Read MoreSalem’s water future…should be secure…with a new source of water to supplement Arlington Pond and Canobie Lake.
Read MoreWe are happy to report that 6 of the CLPA Board of Directors attended the Windham Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Monday 8/27/18. We were there to show solidarity on two very crucial issues facing our community and lake….
The Hayes Hart Boat Ramp will remain open and Chloride levels are very concerning.
Read MoreThere is a boat ramp at Hayes Hart Road in Windham that has been used for many years to take boats in and out of Canobie Lake. It is posted as being for use by Windham residents only. Apparently that is due to a deed restriction which was a condition when the land was donated to the Town of Windham. For years it has been used by Salem residents, and others, too.
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THANKS TO THE MANY ENTHUSIASTIC PARTICIPANTS AND THOSE WHO CHEERED FROM THE SHORELINE!!!
1st Prize (and leader of next year’s parade) went to:
“Canobie Fire Department Rescue & Patrol” with Dave Silva and relatives and friends
Read MoreWe'd like to encourage folks to not put yard waste in the lake. This includes leaves, grass clippings, branches and brush. This material ultimately settles to the bottom of the lake, decomposes and makes a fertile bed for weeds to grow. And we're all concerned about keeping the weed growth down.
We know that some leaves blow into the lake naturally. But we don't need to add to it. That just accelerates a process called eutrophication, which is not a good thing. If you see somebody doing it, please give them a friendly reminder that it's not good for the lake. If you don't have a place to put yard waste on your own lot, Windham and Salem provide places where it can be dumped and turned into compost.
Read MoreDue to the drought conditions, the Salem Selectmen have adopted the following water restrictions for all customers of the Town’s water system:
No outside use of water of any kind between the hours of 7:00 AM and midnight by any residences or businesses. The only exceptions to this restriction are commercial car washes, cash crops, farms, flower shops or garden centers.
Use of outside water is permitted between the hours of midnight and 7:00 AM for irrigation or watering of lawns/gardens only on ODD numbered days.
For more details see: townofsalemnh.org/home/news/mandatory-water-restrictions
Read MoreIt's been a strange winter for ice on Canobie Lake. Sheltered coves began to freeze in early January, but other parts froze later and the main part of the lake still has open water. So the ice thickness is not uniform. It may be thick enough to support you near the shore, but not a little farther out.
Last weekend (January 30 & 31) the air temperature went up into the fifties, and there was considerable ice melting. The usual advice is that 4 inches of ice is thick enough to support individuals, but that's for clear ice. Ice that has melted and refrozen may be weaker than that. Be careful. Err on the side of safety.
Read MoreThe Canobie Lake Protective Association has just published its first Welcome brochure. It contains lots of useful information about the lake, and photos of its natural beauty, peacefulness, and opportunities for enjoyment. It also has information about protecting and preserving the lake, and restrictions that apply. We hope this will answer questions that visitors and new residents have, and inspire them to Love the Lake, as we do.
Read MoreIn a somewhat surprising development it was announced on Wednesday, January 13 that Ryan Development, LLC, is no longer authorized to represent the owner of the property where the Ledgeview project was to take place. The town of Windham was asked to withdraw all the pending applications by Ryan regarding this project.
This is good news! Ledgeview was going to be a very dense shopping center, which did not come close
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