Our Primary Initiatives & Their Impact
LLPA Is Reducing Zebra Mussel & Watermilfoil Proliferation
LLPA has conducted 3-foot drawdown of Laurel Lake each winter since 2010 to control the invasive zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil in shallow water. Greater control is needed and desired, but the drawdown has been limited to 3 feet by the permitting system. Monitoring has been conducted that provides both baseline conditions for comparison among years and investigative studies to answer questions that relate to additional management planning. A 2018 report LLPA and conducted by Water Resource Services provides a detailed accounting of activities undertaken and the results through 2017. The recommendations provided within the report are being implemented by LLPA.
LLPA initiated a permitting process in 2022 with the Lee and Lenox Conservation Commissions to conduct a deeper drawdown as one of the corrective actions. The precursor to obtaining the permit requires review and acceptance by the National Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) administered through the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. As required by the NHESP office, a study of the endangered Marstonia Lustrica snail was performed and submitted to their office for review and comment on April 1, 2024.
The study is to include a significant number of transects for the effect on the snail, invasive and native plants, and other flora or fauna in the top 9 feet of the lake. This matrix study is expensive and can take time to complete. LLPA needs to raise more money not just for the testing, but eventual implementation of the approved lake management plan.
An extension of the 3-foot drawdowns under the existing permit was obtained by LLPA to provide additional time to work through the permit process and now expires in August 2026.
Since LLPA began this initiative, the zebra mussels and watermilfoil have been controlled in the top 3-5 feet depending on the winter freeze and ice thickness. This has reduced the razor like cuts from the zebra mussels and makes swimming in the shallow water more free of weeds.
Stemming Highly Threatening Water Chestnut Spread
In 2023, an invasive species, the water chestnut became a significant threat to Laurel Lake. This plant has overcome many other lakes with a growth so rapid that fishing, swimming and boating become nearly impossible in waters shallower than 16 feet. LLPA obtained the permits to remove this weed, which required hand pulling of this plant. An extraordinary effort by volunteer residents and visitors, with support from LLPA generated meaningful impact. If that action had not been taken, the lake would likely have been nearly lost to this weed. From this time forward, the water chestnut will require constant surveillance and elimination, which LLPA is committed to monitoring. This annual plant depends on regrowth by reseeding.
The pulling effort is concentrated in June, July and mid-August to pull the plants before they drop their nuts. LLPA supports this effort by providing coordination, furnishing collection baskets and other logistical supplies to the volunteers. We cannot thank our volunteers enough. It was a laborious task done with grace, selflessness and efficiency while still having lots of fun. These efforts reduced the presence of water chestnuts in the lake by 99%. As these invasive plants will grow from seeds already at the bottom of the lake for some time, LLPA's work must be repeated in coming years.
Spectrum1 covered our efforts in the summer 2024. View the video here.
Reducing Bacteria Bloom
The cyanobacteria are found in most fresh water bodies. They are normally in fairly low levels of concentration, but under the "right" conditions, the bacteria can create a toxic green-blue slime (bloom) that is dangerous to animals and people. LLPA has noted that Laurel Lake has had several such blooms in recent years.
LLPA is participating in a study to identify and predict the formation of these blooms and to establish preventative measures to keep the water body safe for the water users. More resources are needed to fully test remediation of these blooms and the impact on the lake's marine life.
E-Coli Monitoring
The Board of Health tests the water at the public beaches on a routine basis and have found unacceptable levels of bacteria at different times during the summer. Contamination in the lake is generally a result of fecal deposits and directly associated with the presence of Canadian Geese.
LLPA is investigating efforts to reduce the contamination and options will be undertaken to improve the quality of the lake water.