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In This Issue… A Splash of News! Learn about the multi-pronged sampling of Pleasant Lake and PLPA’s watershed management plan.
Limnological Lore: Pay attention to nitrogen as well as phosphorus in order to keep Pleasant Lake healthy.
Nurture the Natives! Nix the Nutrients! Consider planting the Cardinal Flower and the Pagoda Dogwood tree |
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Climate Change Effects on Pleasant Lake: Read about PLPA board member Craig Williamson’s presentation to the NH Lakes Congress on the effects of climate change on NH lakes, using long-term data from Pleasant Lake.
Spotlighting a Lake Steward: Meet Sue Andrews, who has made a significant contribution to the greater New London community
Protecting Part of our Watershed: Celebrate Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust’s acquisition of a conservation easement on the 100-acre Ohler property |
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A Splash of News! The PLPA’s multi-pronged sampling of Pleasant Lake this year, which is intended to help us carve a path forward in curbing cyanobacteria blooms, is going well. So far, the data from “Cyrano,” our cyanobacteria-sampling buoy, and from the weekly sampling in the open waters of the lake, have all shown no signs of cyanobacteria blooms beyond a small, near-shore bloom at the west corner of the lake in late June. In 2025, we had a lake-wide cyanobacteria bloom in September, so we are not out of the woods yet. Meanwhile, we continue to collect data and keep our fingers crossed that we do not experience a September bloom again this year. There is additional good news regarding the Pleasant Lake Watershed Management Plan! The Clean Water State Revolving Fund has recommended that the New London/PLPA request be fully funded. Our proposal was ranked 2nd out of the 10 chosen to advance in the Stormwater Management Section. Funds should arrive next spring followed by the selection of a firm to produce the plan. |
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Limnological* Lore (For those curious about how lakes work)
Nitrogen as well as Phosphorus can Stimulate Cyanobacteria Blooms Cyanobacteria and other phytoplankton (free-floating microscopic “plants,” referred to here as “algae” for simplicity) need three things to thrive: water, light, and nutrients. In lakes there is, of course, plenty of water and light, so to prevent cyanobacteria blooms we need to deprive them of nutrients. Phosphorus (P) is often cited as the most important nutrient that stimulates cyanobacteria blooms, but nitrogen (N) can be as important as P in many lakes. Nitrogen can enter our lake when septic systems fail or septic tanks leak. Dog poop is also a contributor of nitrogen. Fertilizers usually contain both P and N. Products that contain only N, and no P, are often advertised as “lake friendly,” but this can be misleading. ANY fertilizer can contribute to cyanobacteria blooms. The take-home message is we want to limit both phosphorous and nitrogen entering the lake. Avoid lawn and garden fertilizers and be sure to get your septic system pumped regularly. *Limnos is Greek for lake. Limnology is the study of inland waters. |
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Nurture the Natives! Nix the Nutrients! Native plants can be planted along the shoreline of Pleasant Lake as well as throughout the watershed to provide a “ring of protection.” They prevent soil erosion, filter polluted runoff, stabilize banks, and provide essential wildlife habitat. A combination of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants is most effective at capturing runoff and channeling it deep into the ground. Best of all, using native plant species eliminates the need for fertilizers, as these plants are adapted to, and thrive in, New Hampshire’s soil conditions. It’s a win-win all the way around! Consider planting two native plants: Cardinal Flower, a stunning wildflower and the Pagoda Dogwood, a tree with multi-seasonal appeal. |
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Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) The vivid scarlet color of the Cardinal Flower is so stunning that it is hard to capture in a photo. This short-lived (2-3 years), 2-to-4-foot-tall perennial grows best in damp to wet soil in partial to full sunlight, and it readily self-seeds. Its dense root mass helps stabilize the soil and minimize erosion. The flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds and large butterflies, like Monarchs, which are migrating south this time of year, and Black Swallowtails. |
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Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
This small understory tree, which matures at a height of 15 to 30 feet, thrives in well-drained soils and is partial to full sunlight. It is ideal for properties within the watershed, where a view of the lake is not a priority. Its name derives from the striking tiered branch structure that mimics an Asian pagoda. Its deep roots help stabilize the soil, channeling runoff water deeper into the ground. Azure butterflies (photo right) use the Pagoda Dogwood as a larval food source, and its springtime white flower clusters are visited by a variety of pollinators, giving rise to red-stalked, blue-black berries that feed many birds. The maroon leaves of autumn surrender their hold to the tiered branching structure that creates brilliant silhouettes against winter’s snow. The Pagoda Dogwood, in short, is a treat for the senses in all seasons. |
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The NH Lakes Congress, and Climate Change Effects on NH Lakes In early June, lake association members and individuals interested in protecting NH lakes met with scientific experts and legislators at the 2026 NH Lakes Congress in Concord, NH. Dr. Craig Williamson gave a talk on Climate Change and Our Lakes: What It Means for New Hampshire. He used decades of data collected in Pleasant Lake by our dedicated VLAP group to illustrate some of the key climate-related changes in NH lakes through the years. Changes in Pleasant Lake include an increase in surface water temperature by about 2°F in the past 25 years, from 75° to 77°F, and a decrease in the period of ice cover by about one month since 1986 - from about four months in the late 1980s to three months in the 2020s. |
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| Water transparency has decreased by about 2-3 meters, from ~ 7-8 m in 2000 to 4-6 m in the 2020s. This is actually a good news story, as the lower transparency is due to an increase in pH related to reduced acid precipitation (“acid rain”) in response to the Clean Air Act and its amendments. |
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The other good news is that transparency seems to have stabilized since about 2005, and both phosphorus and chlorophyll have been slightly decreasing during this period - until a few years ago, when increases in P began contributing to the recently observed cyanobacteria blooms. These increases in phosphorus are likely related to human activity in the watershed and possibly by disturbance of nearshore sediments stirred up by increased wave action caused by wake boats. More details and implications of these long-term changes are presented in the slides from Dr. Williamson’s talk, available on the PLPA website. |
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Spotlighting a Lake Steward Too often unrecognized, our everyday heroes deserve to be honored for their efforts, and Ripples aims to bring attention to their contributions on behalf of Pleasant Lake and its community.
In her own words, Sue Andrews “has a finger in three pies” – three environmentally significant pies! – in the greater New London community. She is Secretary of the PLPA Board and Secretary of the New London Conservation Commission (NLCC) – both volunteer positions – and Office Assistant at Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust (ASLPT). She interweaves all three roles seamlessly into her life, and her presence in each organization benefits the others, ultimately contributing to protecting the environmental integrity of Pleasant Lake and its watershed. |
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With a degree in environmental biology, Sue was honored to take Esther Currier’s spot on the NLCC in1989. In 2022 she retired from her paid job at ASLPT but she acknowledged with a grin, “The problem is I only stayed retired for one-and-a-half years!” Sue’s most recent contributions include participating in a year-long concerted effort to purchase a conservation easement on a piece of land known as the Ohler property. Finally, as if that isn’t enough, Sue voluntarily joined the water sampling and monitoring efforts on Pleasant Lake. “This is important. I want to do something that contributes to preserving the environment.” There can be no doubt that Sue Andrews lives a life that embodies stewardship on many levels. Thank you, Sue. |
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Success in Protecting Another Critical Part of our Watershed! In late June 2026, ASLPT officially purchased a conservation easement on the Ohler property, preserving this land for the future. The 100-acre Ohler property is significant because it is in the Pleasant Lake watershed. Importantly, two major brooks, White Brook and Red Brook, flow through the property into the lake. When land in the watershed is left undeveloped, it is much less likely that phosphate, nitrogen, and other nutrients that feed cyanobacteria blooms, or any herbicides and insecticides (they are all toxic!) will enter the brooks and be carried into our lake. With the acquisition of the Ohler property, there are now close to 300 acres of undeveloped, contiguous land on the northwestern hillside above Pleasant Lake. The Ohler property is mostly forested, providing excellent habitat for wildlife such as bear and fox, and it has easy walking trails throughout. The Ohler family has owned this property for about 75 years. The PLPA is especially grateful to the Ohlers for collaborating with ASLPT to purchase the easement on their property. Its natural beauty will be preserved and it will remain an important swath of undeveloped land in the Pleasant Lake watershed in perpetuity. |
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Please spread the word among family, friends, and neighbors that they can access important news and information about Pleasant Lake by subscribing to Ripples. Your opinion is important, so don’t hesitate to email us at ripples@plpa.net
Thank you to everyone that contributed to this issue: The PLPA Communications Committee, Valerie Burns and Craig Williamson. |
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Please pass this on to your neighbors
If you received a copy of this newsletter from a friend Please subscribe to the PLPA’s Ripples newsletter
HERE |
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PLPA also produces a seasonal newsletter exploring the wildlife and natural history of Pleasant Lake and its watershed The Nature of Pleasant Lake To see past issues or subscribe click HERE |
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PLPA is managed by volunteers and supported by member donations
If you wish to support our work, please consider becoming a PLPA member HERE
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