Lake Kanasatka, in Moultonborough, has had a serious issues with phosphorous loading and the resulting cyanobacteria blooms for several years. In 2023, for example, a cyanobacteria warning was issued by the state that lasted from late summer through the fall, 121 days in total.
The following articles detail the issues facing that lake and the costly solution to solution to that problem. (Ed Note: Even with this treatment, Kanasatka continued to have cyanobacteria blooms last year, although with a much diminished duration.)
Restoring Lake Kanasatka FAQ Bulletin
Alum Treatment on Lake Kanasatka has successfully eliminated Cyanobacteria Blooms
Lake Kanasatka Feted for Reversing Cyanobacteria
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!