Cynaobacteria blooms are increasing in many New Hampshire lakes and our lake is no exception. Last year we had at least two such blooms that were verified by NH DES, one almost impacting the busy July 4th week. In 2023, Lake Kanasatka had a bloom that lasted 121 days, effectively shutting down lake activities for most of the summer and into the fall. Cyanobacteria can cause serious health issues and even deaths in rare cases. They are caused by several factors, most notably increasing phosphorous levels and rising average lake temperatures due to climate change. Phosphorous enters the lake primarily from water runoff from the land. This phosphorus loading is increased by actions such as fertilizing lawns, cutting down shoreland vegetation, using impervious surface materials, and not controlling erosion.
The PLIA is concerned about the increasing phosphorous levels in the lake and is working with DES, state and town officials to apply for grants to update our watershed plan. Our most recent plan was developed in 2008 and there have been many changes to the lake since then. The PLIA applied for a so-called “604B” grant last fall but we were not successful. This spring we intend to apply for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund grant from NH DES. If we do get the grant, we plan to engage a contractor to update our watershed plan. The plan will cost around $70K and will take at least a year to produce. With a new plan in hand, we will be able to request additional grants to perform mitigation projects to reduce incoming phosphorous and, we hope, lessen the potential for future cyanobacteria blooms.
All lake resident can also help in this effort by reducing property runoff, eliminating the use of fertilizers, making sure their septic tanks are functioning well, and protecting shoreline vegetation.
Roadside trash was no match for our intrepid volunteers who heeded the call for a Sunday morning clean up. This time they covered
a much longer than usual section of Route 156 armed with reflective vests, garbage bags, and steely determination.
go around.
The people who volunteer their time and energy to fulfill the mission of the Pawtuckaway Lake 
Improvement Association are worth their weight in gold. To thank them for their invaluable service, a cookout was held in their honor at the State Park Pavilion on Sunday September 22. Thankfully, the weather cooperated to welcome them to the event.
Our volunteers work as Lake
Hosts, milfoil divers and support kayakers, weed watchers, road litter collectors, fundraisers, island adopters, public outreach organizers, and neighborhood road representatives. The work of the PLIA is widespread and time-consuming, and these folks make it happen!
So if you see a volunteer on the lake performing any of these activities, give them a big thank you!
If you do suspect a cyanobacteria bloom, PLEASE report it to NHDES online, at: 
Mother Nature outdid herself and participants took advantage of the sunny, blue skies as they paddled to five different stations around the lake on Saturday, September 14. 
At each station they were greeted by hosts on a dock or beach or even pontoon boat with refreshments and a playing card to add to their growing poker hand. Some groaned at their bad luck while others exulted in their good fortune. Since there would be prizes for both best and worst hands, the tension built with every card selected.
After all stations had been visited, 
paddlers beached their watercraft at the last stop, where they could compare their hands with others, buy additional cards, choose where to deposit their raffle tickets, and generally socialize while enjoying an array of snacks.
Organizer Shelly Heit welcomed the crowd and thanked
the event sponsor Mountain Road Trading Post. She then introduced the station hosts: Mark and Michele Lefebvre, Bob and Karen Given, Catherine and Roger Frieden, Bill and Ann Noeth, Sue and Mike Herron, and Barb Thompson. She also acknowledged the wide array of raffle prize donors, the biggest number in the Tournament’s history.
Milfoil Dive Coordinator Bob Given gave a brief talk on the status of milfoil in the lake with a summary of recent finds and extractions. Since extensive eradication efforts last summer paid for by a grant from NHDES, milfoil infestations have been drastically reduced. This plant is persistent, however. He stressed the need for more volunteer search divers to look for milfoil plants and explained the process. He also urged volunteers to consider becoming certified as Weed Control Divers.
Next it was time for Mark Lefebvre to announce the results of the poker tournament. The three winners of high-scoring poker hands were (1) Mary Beeman, (2) Mitch Hale, and (3) Mark Wageling. Lowest hand was held by Tom Duffy, who gamely accepted his consolation prize.
most going to an assortment of very happy winners.
There were smiles all around as people made their way back home after a delightful afternoon of good company, fun, and games. And most important, the PLIA was a winner with $2,000 raised from the event.
C. Wayne Ives, P.G., Hydrogeologist and Instream Specialist of NH DES has just announced a press release that Pawtuckaway Lake will be drawn down to 4.8 feet starting on October 14, 2024.
Sponsored by the Mountain Road Trading Post
Details: Participants will visit 5 locations on the lake (a combination of docks and pontoon boats) to choose a playing card and enjoy a drink/snack. Once all 5 playing cards have been collected, you’ll proceed to the final location for the after-party and prizes for the top 3 hands ($150, $100, $50) and the lowest hand ($50). Can’t make it to all 5 stations by 4pm? Don’t worry – choose the missing cards at the after-party!
This year the Boat Parade was a riot of color 
and themes! There seemed to be more decorated boats than ever (did anyone manage a head – er – boat count?)
cream truck, flames, undersea 
creatures, mushrooms, love, ice hockey, water gun Olympics, bubble bath, alien invasions, flamingo, antique boat, and Legos also made an appearance. Not to mention plenty of good old-fashioned Stars and Stripes!
Water blasters were in great 
abundance and participants cooled off from the hot weather by directing streams of water at each other. Responses to water cannons on board came from all directions, including a powerful challenge launched by “spectators” on docks and rafts around the lake.
members have been collected and posted here for your enjoyment. You can also look at this and past years’ boat parade photos on this website, 
We were joined by State Representative Hal Rafter, State Park Manager Dave Richardson, Nottingham Budget Committee member Charlotte Fyfe, and Nottingham Board of Selectmen member John Morin.
A large group gathered inside the Pavilion 
to schmooze and listen. There was a spillover crowd enjoying the sun outdoors.
PLIA President Steve Soreff opened the meeting with an introduction of Board members and a farewell to departing Board member Peter White, who has served for many years as the Chair of the Road Clean Up Committee and will be missed. He then called for a vote for the slate of nominees to the Board, including member Gary Potavin who has volunteered to join the Board. PLIA members voted unanimously for the nominees.
Steve then reviewed the work of the organization last year, which included two victorious campaigns: (1) eradicate milfoil in the lake and (2) persuade the State to expend ARPA funds on infrastructure like bath houses and septic systems rather than on the construction of 35 new RV campsites along the shorefront. He noted that it was the support and participation of PLIA members that brought each of these efforts to a successful conclusion.
eradication of this invasive weed last year, it would be necessary to search for and remove new or recurring milfoil growths this summer. This work has already begun, and he invited additional Weed Control Divers to join his team. He also mentioned the presence of other invasive species threatening NH lakes and acknowledged the importance of Weed Watchers and Lake Hosts as early detection agents crucial to our overall mission.
Next it was Bruce Henden’s turn to summarize the work of the Lake Host Program which he coordinates and manages. It is designed to provide courtesy boat inspections and public education about 0063 aquatic invasive species. He explained the need for one more Lake Host to cover Saturday afternoons at the Fundy boat ramp and acknowledged that finding people to fill these paid positions has been challenging. Bruce listed invasive species that are becoming greater threats to Pawtuckaway and urged fishermen and boaters to learn about them. Finally, he brought NH LAKES LakeSmart pamphlets to share with everyone at the meeting to explain how property management affects nutrients that enter the lake and enhance growth of all aquatic species.
our email news blasts to provide their email address so they can be added to our contact list. She emphasized that storm runoff is a major source of pollutants in our lake water and urged the audience to enroll in the LakeSmart Program mentioned by Bruce. All Board members have pledged to get an evaluation of their property through this Program to discover how they can make improvements to prevent runoff. It is free, confidential, and enormously helpful in making us all lake-friendly. Already, 30 Pawtuckaway households have signed up! Finally, she offered signs provided by the State Park to be posted on islands reminding visitors that no campfires are allowed.
Shelly Heit, Membership Chair, explained our new online payment platform that is replacing PayPal for donations and sales of tickets or participation in various events. She has volunteered to expand her responsibilities, introducing and assuming the new Board position of Fundraising Chair. Her project to create playing
cards adorned with photos of the lake taken by members proved very successful. Packs of these cards were available to pick up at the meeting or later, at the Mountain Road Trading Post. They would also be for sale at the Trading Post and the State Park 
Camp Store. Shelly is organizing this year’s Paddle Poker Tournament, with the help of members Michele Lefebvre and Barb Thompson. Finally, she announced a new event to be held on the lake in late July – an open-air concert for the benefit of any and all boaters, suggested by our newest Board member Gary Potavin. She distributed flyers for the concert to all who might be interested.
to member Barb Thomson, for her extraordinary contributions to the PLIA. Barb initiated the Paddle Poker Tournament several years ago and was its organizing genius and booster, 
raising thousands of dollars every year. She is also a tireless member of the Milfoil Team, coordinating kayak support for milfoil extractions and often providing that support herself for last minute dives.
entitled “Lake-friendly Living at Pawtuckaway: Protect the Lake You Love”. She explained that cyanobacteria in particular thrive on sunshine, warm temperatures, and nutrients in lake water. Of these three, the only one we have the capacity to affect is the last one. Nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen wash into the lake almost exclusively through stormwater runoff. Another harmful effect of runoff is soil erosion into the lake.
the perfect agents to filter out nutrients carried by stormwater. Rain gardens capture runoff as well. Certain grasses and soil coverings are better for capturing nutrients. Paths and driveways can be modified to allow water to drain into the subsoil rather than flow directly into the lake. And of course, septic systems can be pumped every three years and inspected for proper functioning.
already mentioned earlier. These are comprehensive complimentary programs designed to help homeowners ensure their property is as lake-friendly as possible.
The meeting adjourned at 11:50 AM, right on time!
Help us kick off the summer at the State Park Pavilion. Once again Pawtuckaway State Park has graciously donated the use of its Pavilion for our annual assembly of members and friends. Entry to the Park is free. Together we will review our work from last year and plan what’s ahead for this year.