The Newsletter for the Messer Pond Protective Association Vol. X, No. 2, November 2006 MESSER PONDERINGS 11 ANNUAL MEETING SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2006 th By popular demand, our 11th Annual Meeting was held at the Lethbridge Lodge on the Colby-Sawyer campus for the second consecutive year. Many thanks to CSC for the use of their facilities. President Bob Brown welcomed everyone to this year’s meeting. Our thanks to Derek Hunt for his service as the MPPATreasurer for the past four years. Derek stepped down this year due to commitments in other organizations. As the retiring Editor of Messer Ponderings, Fred Kaufman was recognized for 10 years of service with a contribution in his name to the LSPA-CSC Lab toward a new Chlorophyll-a analysis instrument. Fred has done a wonderful job. Among topics discussed at this year’s meeting, a key issue was the possibility of paving Forest Acres Road. The membership decided more study was needed and the board was requested to gather additional information and send it out to the members. Approximately 65 people were present as the officers and directors were duly elected. Their names appear on page two. In addition to reports by each of our MPPA directors, our featured speaker was Janie Webster as Chair of our Weed Watcher’s Program. Thanks again to Barbara Troxell and her committee, Glenda Cavallaro, Jackie Parcells and crew for a very successful Pot Luck Picnic and Social Gathering. Save the date of July 28, 2007 for the next annual meeting. - Betty Brown, Secretary WATERSHED MANAGEMENT/ROAD PAVING While our weather pattern over the past few months has been disappointing to many, it has identified some specific concerns and needs respective to the Messer Pond watershed. At our July Annual Meeting (rain) many topics were discussed. A key issue was the need or wisdom to pave Forest Acres Road. This subject spirited much discussion, concerns and reinforced the need for more study of the matter. The Directors are keenly aware of the importance of an environmentally sensible approach to the care and management of the Messer Pond watershed that includes a better understanding of all of the roads within - not just Forest Acres Road. The concern of road runoff (loss of gravel surface) on the highly traveled Forest Acres Road is of great concern to the well-being of the Pond - but is the answer “simply paving?” Perhaps not, as there are many other factors to be considered. Certainly, there are upgrades necessary to improve runoff drainage before any paving takes place. Would these upgrades, such as extensions of major culverts (spillways) to reduce the amount of road material washing into the brooks, be justified even if paving was not implemented? Probably yes. Could such work be done with Highway Funds? The MPPA Board plans to study the paving/runoff issue on all appropriate roads. There is a vast amount of experience and resources to assist this process. We need to work closely with the Town of New London and other agencies. Understandably, the subject of paving the road is both a practical and emotional issue. There is significant value to the ambiance of our 1.1 mile dirt road. (Only 15 miles of dirt roads remain in New London.) However, all the factors must be weighed so that an environmentally wise and responsible recommendation is formulated. It would seem that the real question is, “How do we best protect Messer Pond from the effects of runoff?” Not simply, “to pave or not to pave...” As always, your input and participation are welcome. - Bob Brown, President
Transcript
The Newsletter for the Messer Pond Protective Association Vol. X, No. 2, November 2006
MESSER PONDERINGS
11 ANNUAL MEETING
SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2006
th
By popular demand, our 11th Annual Meeting was heldat the Lethbridge Lodge on the Colby-Sawyer campusfor the second consecutive year. Many thanks to CSCfor the use of their facilities. President Bob Brownwelcomed everyone to this year’s meeting. Our thanksto Derek Hunt for his service as the MPPATreasurer forthe past four years. Derek stepped down this year due tocommitments in other organizations. As the retiringEditor of Messer Ponderings, Fred Kaufman wasrecognized for 10 years of service with a contribution inhis name to the LSPA-CSC Lab toward a newChlorophyll-a analysis instrument. Fred has done awonderful job.
Among topics discussed at this year’s meeting, a keyissue was the possibility of paving Forest Acres Road.The membership decided more study was needed andthe board was requested to gather additionalinformation and send it out to the members.
Approximately 65 people were present as the officersand directors were duly elected. Their names appear onpage two. In addition to reports by each of our MPPAdirectors, our featured speaker was Janie Webster asChair of our Weed Watcher’s Program. Thanks again toBarbara Troxell and her committee, Glenda Cavallaro,Jackie Parcells and crew for a very successful Pot LuckPicnic and Social Gathering. Save the date of July 28,2007 for the next annual meeting.
- Betty Brown, Secretary
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT/ROAD PAVING
While our weather pattern over the past few months hasbeen disappointing to many, it has identified somespecific concerns and needs respective to the MesserPond watershed. At our July Annual Meeting (rain)
many topics were discussed. A key issue was the needor wisdom to pave Forest Acres Road. This subjectspirited much discussion, concerns and reinforced theneed for more study of the matter. The Directors arekeenly aware of the importance of an environmentallysensible approach to the care and management of theMesser Pond watershed that includes a betterunderstanding of all of the roads within - not just ForestAcres Road. The concern of road runoff (loss of gravelsurface) on the highly traveled Forest Acres Road is ofgreat concern to the well-being of the Pond - but is theanswer “simply paving?” Perhaps not, as there aremany other factors to be considered.
Certainly, there are upgrades necessary to improverunoff drainage before any paving takes place. Wouldthese upgrades, such as extensions of major culverts(spillways) to reduce the amount of road materialwashing into the brooks, be justified even if paving wasnot implemented? Probably yes. Could such work bedone with Highway Funds?
The MPPA Board plans to study the paving/runoffissue on all appropriate roads. There is a vast amount ofexperience and resources to assist this process. Weneed to work closely with the Town of New London andother agencies. Understandably, the subject of pavingthe road is both a practical and emotional issue. Thereis significant value to the ambiance of our 1.1 mile dirtroad. (Only 15 miles of dirt roads remain in NewLondon.) However, all the factors must be weighed sothat an environmentally wise and responsiblerecommendation is formulated. It would seem that thereal question is, “How do we best protect Messer Pondfrom the effects of runoff?” Not simply, “to pave or notto pave...”
As always, your input and participation are welcome.
- Bob Brown, President
MEMBERSHIP
SPECIAL THANKS
The MPPA currently has 116 members involving 51families. New members this year include: ScottBrown of Wilmot Center Road, son of Bob andSandy Brown; Dick and Rody Denise of 21 WhitePine Lane; Scott and Gia Gagnon of 273 ForestAcres Road; Frank and Beverly King, who built ahouse at 318 Fieldstone Lane; and Phil and ElaineGoldberg, who built a house at 305 Forest AcresRoad.
We will miss Steve and Anne Rayda who moved inSeptember when they sold their house. Steve was adirector of the Association in past years and bothAnne and Steve were involved in the Association’sactivities as volunteers.
We welcome new residents Steve and Linda Smith,who bought the Rayda’s house at 368 Forest AcresRoad and the Lovett family, who moved fromFlorida into their home at 196 ForestAcres Road.
We cannot thank Fred Kaufman enough for his 10years as Ponderings Editor. Isn’t it telling that thisissue is the result of 3 editors doing the work that 1editor has done in the past?!
We also wish to thank both Derek Hunt and JaneLandenberger for their years of dedication andservice as MPPA Officers. They have both goneabove and beyond the call of duty!
As some of you may know, Janie Webster has retiredas Weed Watcher Chair. Thank you Janie for 5 yearsof leadership of this critical task to help preserve thehealth of Messer Pond.
A Jack-of-all-Trades “Thank You” to member ScottBrown who supports the MPPA in many differentways. He is the person responsible for the aerialphoto MPPA card, resolving computer problems,building duck boxes, painting, etc. All of this workhas been done in a very quiet way as though it waseffortless on his part.
Thank you to all those members who havecontributed to the Capital Reserve Fund. You makeit possible for the Association to accomplish thework we need to do.
-Betty Brown, Secretary
MPPA PERSONNEL
Officers
Directors
Weed Watchers
Water Monitoring & Testing
Messer Ponderings
Photographers for Ponderings & the Website
Messer Pond Protective Association
Robert (Bob) Brown
Brian Wicenski
Jean-Pierre (JP) Paquette
Elizabeth (Betty) Brown Secretary
Robert (Bob) Crane
Jacalyn (Jackie) Parcells
Barbara Troxell Education & Activities
Nancy Stetson
Terri BinghamGordon Bingham Jack HughesLes Brown Jane LandenbergerDick Cavallaro Bruce & Nancy StetsonBob & Emma Crane Jeff TroxellDick Denise Frank VoellmannPat & John Harris Janie Webster
The Results of Water Sampling for Messer Pond – Summer 2006
Thanks to the efforts of John Harris, Bill Shucart and Bruce Stetson, water samples were collected at the deep spot in the pond, the outlet at Bog Road, and at several inlet brooks or drainage ditches. At the deep spot, John and a NH State Biologist, Andrea LaMoreaux, also obtained the temperature and dissolved oxygen profile shown in the figure. This profile shows the epilimnion (Epi) or well-mixed top layer of the pond, the hypolimnion (Hypo) or stratified lower region of the pond, and the metalimnion (Meta) or transition layer. The dissolved oxygen level in the hypolimnion is too low to support life. Warm water fish can survive and prosper at dissolved oxygen levels above 5 mg/L (Standard for Class B warm water fisheries in Massachusetts, DEP, 2000). Most of Messer Pond has a depth of 3 m or less and warm water bass fishing is good.
The sampling results for the roughly monthly collection times are shown in the table. The values that exceed the expected state limits for a healthy pond for each location are shown in red and bold face type.
All but two of the pH values are within the satisfactory range for New Hampshire lakes but the range 6.5 – 7.0 is considered ideal for a fresh water fishery. The value for the 5 m level in the hypolimnion would be labeled as too acidic by the state (i.e. in the 5.5 to 6.0 range). If the upper layer had this value, the lake would be considered endangered. At the hypolimnion depth near the bottom of the deep spot, the observation has little effect on the health of the pond because the metalimnion or thermocline inhibits any mixing between the upper layer and the lower layer of the pond. The value for inflow
2
from Brown inlet in September is also in the endangered category but when mixed with the rest of the water in the upper layer, the lake is satisfactory for the support of fish life.
The ANC (Acid Neutralizing Capacity) values measured in the top layer indicate that the lake is moderately vulnerable to acidification. This is typical of New Hampshire lakes because of the granite that underlies much of the state’s surface.
Sampling Results – Summer 2006
T Location Date pH ANC Apparent Phos Cond. Turbidity
mg/L Color µg/L µS/cm NTU Deep spot Epi 7/9/06 6.5 8.4 17 91.4 0.83 NESNWLD 1 m 7/31/06 6.5 7.5 15 81.0 1.12
9/17/06 6.4 7.8 10 83.1 0.9
Deep Spot Meta 7/9/06 6.6 15 91.5 0.84 3 m 7/31/06
9/17/06 6.4 11 82.8 0.61
Deep Spot Hypo 7/9/06 6.3 16 89.2 1.01 5 m 7/31/06 6.2 17 97.9 3.17
The total phosphorus (T Phos) in the sample indicates the amount of nutrient available for aquatic plant growth, especially for algae. The expected range of values for New Hampshire lakes is 11 – 20 µg/L. Readings above 40 are considered excessive.
Sources for phosphorus entering the lake are erosion and sediment from our gravel roads, agricultural runoff, domestic sewage, septic systems, waterfowl waste (do not feed the ducks), fertilizers, and some household detergents.
Conductivity (cond) is a measure of the ability of the lake water to conduct electricity. It is related to concentration of total dissolved salts or of ionic particles in the water. Sources of the ionic particles include road salts, dissolved carbonate minerals in the rocks and soils in the watershed (such as limestone), wastewater from septic systems, agricultural runoff (sediment and phosphorus), and decay of organic material on the bottom of the pond. The average conductivity for New Hampshire lakes is 57 µS/cm. Values above 100 µS/cm are generally attributed to human activity.
Turbidity is a measure of the concentration of small particles suspended in the water. It is measured in NTUs. The median value for New Hampshire lakes is 1 NTU. The color and high turbidity values observed at the Brown inlet could have been caused by the forestry operations upstream.
At several sites around the pond E. coli counts were recorded. The maximum observed count was less than 10 counts/100 mL. Most sites recorded zero. The state standard for a designated beach area is 47 counts/100 mL averaged from 3 samples collected over a 60 day period.
Last year, David Webster reported relatively high values for total phosphorus and turbidity at 171 Forest Acres inlet. Unfortunately no measurements were made at that site this year. The state biologist suggested the high values were from the phosphorus and sediment being washed into the brook from the then newly installed culvert under the road. Next year we should return to that site for samples.
Next year, with road construction planned for the seven-lot subdivision to be built above the shoreline northeast of the pond, we need to sample sites at the inlets of the two possibly intermittent streams that enter the lake through the wetlands along the shore. Also we should plan a set of observations along Brown, Nutter, and 171 Forest Acres Rd. brooks to look for the sources of high total phosphorus, conductivity and turbidity measurements.
-Bob Crane, Director, Water Quality and Land Issues
Messer Pond
IMPORTANT INFO FROM
not the Town
“SAFETY ON THE ICE”
Judging Ice Conditions
QUICKLINK
In a recent issue of the New London town newsletter, it was mentioned that New London had
received over 40 inches of rainfall so far this year and thata number of roads were washed out. As a result, the townwanted to communicate regulations regarding roaddrainage including:
The property owner and is responsible forthe maintenance and upkeep of driveway and drainagestructures. Please check you driveway culvert at leastannually and remove any sand, sticks or debris that mayinterfere with drainage.
Driveways are subject to a driveway permit, a copy ofwhich should be on file at the Town Offices. Changes to adriveway including paving, repaving, adding bluestone,installing drainage, or relocating the entrance are subjectto a driveway permit.
No fences, rocks, stone walls, lights, landscaping, or otherstructures shall be constructed or installed within thepublic right-of-way. All such structures must be on orbehind the property line or edge of right-of-way. NH RSA236:19 states “any person who shall place any logs, earth,or other substance within the limits of a highway ...bywhich the water in a stream, pond, or ditch is turned uponthe highway and injures or renders it unsuitable for publictravel, shall be guilty of a violation...”
It is also noted that an excellent source of information is abook entitled published by the NHLocal Government Center.
Any questions about the regulations and how they relate toyour property should be addressed to the officials at theTown Offices.
(Excerpt from brochure found on NH Fish and GameDepartment’s website, http://wildlife.state.nh.us/)
In Winter, before you venture out onto any frozen pond orlake to icefish, snowmobile, ski or snowshoe, play it safeby following these important guidelines for ice safety.
Quicklink
- Barbara Troxell, Education & Activities Director
“Thick and blue, tried and trueThin and crispy, way too risky”
A Hard Road to Travel
Look for bluish ice that is at least 4 to 8 inches thick. Evenif the weather has been below freezing for several days,don’t guess about ice thickness. Check the ice in severalplaces. Use an auger, spud or axe to make a test hole,beginning at shore and continuing as you go out. If ice atthe shoreline is cracked or squishy, stay off. Don’t go onthe ice during thaws. Watch out for thin, clear, orhoneycomb shaped ice. Dark snow and dark ice are othersigns of weak spots.
Test the ice.
There’s more to being a good angler than obeying fishingregulations.
Twelve Quick Tips
Etiquette and Ethics
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Beware! Wind and currents break ice.Dress in layersBring food and hot drinks.Fish with a partner.Don’t gather in large groups.No fires on the ice.Bring blankets and a first-aid kit.If you fall in, reach for solid ice, kick and roll to safety.Follow fishing regulations.Don’t drive cars onto ice.Clean up.
If you break through the ice, don’t panic.Don’t try to climb out – you’ll probably break the iceagain.Lay both arms on the unbroken ice and kick hard. Thiswill help lift your body onto the ice. Roll to safety.To help someone who has fallen in, lie down flat andreach with a branch, plank or rope; or form a humanchain.Don’t stand! After securing the victim, wigglebackwards to the solid ice.The victim may need treatment for hypothermia (coldexposure), artificial respiration or CPR.
Be courteous.Use public access to ponds, or ask permission to walkacross someone’s land.Don’t crowd other anglers.Clean your fishing area. Litter will wash ashore in theSpring, polluting the water and endangering people andwildlife.Be sure to check your New Hampshire FreshwaterDigest for current regulations before going fishing.
- Betty Brown, Secretary
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What if I Break Through the Ice?
MESSER POND RESIDENTS KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN!
The first annual was a great success. Eric Miller and Derek Hunt transported floats andsupplies out to the island. Derek Hunt and Rick Aseltine did a wonderful job of cooking brats, hot dogs and chili. EJMiller and Jeff Troxell were capable assistants. The day was beautiful (no rain!) and the turnout fantastic. The bratswere an early sell-out. It was a great way for new and old neighbors to get acquainted. Several residents decoratedthemselves and their vessels patriotically and were awarded Cracker Jacks for their efforts. The Fishing Derby had a fewparticipants and prize winners included Grace Miller, James Lovett and David Webster. Thanks to Steve Rayda andDavid Webster for their help with the Derby. Derek Hunt arranged for the flares that lit up the night around Messer Pond.The unscheduled but appreciated fireworks displays provided by some of our residents was an after dinner treat.
Special thanks to our Fishing Derby prize sponsors: Colonial Pharmacy, Flash Photo, CB Coburn, and Clarke'sHardware.
4 Julyth
of Celebration
Steve Rayda awards Fishing Derby winner Grace Miller David & Janie Webster don their red, white & blue
The was canceled due to heavy rain, wind, and chilly temps but the party went on! Muchthanks to the Greenawalt families for all their planning efforts and for opening their home for the "Non- Regatta” Party.Several groups showed up in the costumes they had planned to wear on their Movie Theme decorated boats. It wasdiscovered after the party that there were actually two participants in the Regatta - Terri and Gordon Bingham braved thewild weather to rescue a kayak which had blown off their dock. Their theme - “ !The Perfect Storm”
Labor Day Weekend Regatta
Movie Theme “Peter Pan” played by Amanda Gillum(Harris Family friend), John Harris (Peter), Pat Harrisand Kristin Harris (Tinkerbell)
Judging by the abundance of delicious food, many hadplanned to participate in the Regatta. May we have goodweather for 2007! Save those movie themes...
- Barbara Troxell, Education & Activities Director
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AT TRACY LIBRARY WELL ATTENDED
The lecture and slide show "They Sawed Up a Storm" was enjoyed by an audience of over 40 people. Sarah Smith,Forest Industry Specialist from UNH, shared her research and photos of the Hurricane of 1938 and its resulting effect onthe timber and logging industry on Tuesday evening, August 29th. Bob Brown presented Sarah with a log end markedwith the US Forestry seal that he found in 1976. It was from one of the many logs placed in Messer Pond when the pondwas used as a log depository after the hurricane. Sarah was very pleased to receive this gift since she did not have a pieceof any of the actual logs. While most of the logs from the 1938 Hurricane were not cut up at the temporary saw mill thatexisted at the end of Messer Pond, some still periodically surface. Sarah was nice enough to send a CD with many of thephotos from her presentation to the MPPA. Special thanks go to Sarah for her wonderful presentation and to TracyLibrary for generously providing the meeting room.
Sarah Smith presents a slide of the NH historical marker inConcord entitled “Turkey Pond - 1938 Hurricane.” Itreads “The Great Hurricane of 1938 devastated NewEngland’s forests. As a result, Turkey Pond was used tostore almost 12 million board feet of salvaged white pinelogs, more than anywhere in New England. From 1941 to1943, the H.S. Durant mill operating on this site sawedmost of the volume floating in Turkey Pond. On the pond’snorth side the U.S. Forest Service constructed a sawmillthat was operated by a group of local women. Led bysawfiler Laura Willey, the women proved themselves to bean exemplary crew. ‘Snow, rain or sub-zero weather neverslowed them up,’wrote one Forest Service manager.”
Log end marked with U.S. Forestry seal from theHurricane of ‘38 found in Messer Pond by Bob Brown in1976.
More than 40 people enjoyed Sarah’s presentation. It wasboth intriguing and enjoyable.
Turkey Pond Sawmill workers, Violet Storey and BarbaraWebber - photographed by John Collier in 1943, Libraryof Congress LC-USW3-034163-C
For more information, see our MPPA website:
www.messerpond.org/TheySawedUpaStorm.html
- Barbara Troxell, Education & Activities Director
TEA AT THE ROSEWOOD COUNTRY INN
Fifteen women from the Messer Pond neighborhood gathered on October 4th for a delightful afternoon of delicious foodand tea at the Rosewood Country Inn in Bradford. The drive to the inn was lovely as the foliage was showing off itscolors in the warm sunshine. The grounds of the inn were lovely and a pleasure to explore. The event was organized byGlenda Cavallaro, Betty Brown and Barbara Troxell. Other attendees included Yah Maguire, Lynn Lovett, SandyBrown, Janie Webster, Marie Rossachacj, Trish Roberts, Debbie Hunt, Joan Nutter, Terri Bingham, Nancy Stetson,Betty Brown’s friend, Glennis, and new resident Linda Smith. It was a great opportunity for new and old neighbors tospend time together before the “snowbirds” flew south for the winter. Those women unable to attend were missed!
WINTER FAMILY ACTIVITIES DAY
A day of outdoor winter fun is in the formative planningstages. Ideas include a casual hockey game, snowshoeand cross-country ski races, sled pulling races and lots ofhot chocolate! If you think this is a good idea and wouldlike to help, please contact Barbara Troxell [email protected]. It would be great to have a“captain” for each event. All suggestions are welcome.The younger set is especially encouraged to give ideas asto what would make this a fun day and also what datemakes the most sense. These events can’t happen withoutYOU!
- Barbara Troxell, Education & Activities Director
MPPA 9TH ANNUAL WINE & CHEESE PARTY
Mark your calendars! Gordon and Terri Bingham havegraciously volunteered to host the annual holiday party attheir lovely home. The Binghams live at 82 Little CoveRoad which is located on the north side of Messer Pond.The festivities will be on Saturday, December 9th from5:30 p.m. To 7:30 p.m. Please bring a bottle of yourfavorite wine to share. MPPA board members will supplythe cheese and crackers. A reminder flyer will be sentcloser to the event. Directions: County Road to FieldstoneLane to Little Cove Road, Fourth House on right - #82.
HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US!
A LETTER FROM OUR WEED WATCHER
CHAIR, JANIE WEBSTER, 2002 - 2006
After 5 years at the helm of the Weed Watcher Brigade, Iam turning over the leadership role to Terri Bingham wholives at 82 Little Cove Road full time. Terri can be reachedat 526-4202.
I would like to thank our faithful team who check the entirepond, attend training sessions on the pond and through theLake Sunapee Protective Association, and keep up to datevia mailings and handouts from the NH Dept. OfEnvironmental Services in Concord.
The Weed Watcher team consists of Terri & GordonBingham, Les Brown, Pat & John Harris, Dick Denise,Jack Hughes, Frank Voellmann, Dick Cavallaro, Emma &Bob Crane, Jeff Troxell, Jane Landenberger, Nancy &Bruce Stetson and Janie Webster.
The pond is divided into sections covered by the WeedWatchers, but we hope each of you will be diligent aboutchecking your own property waterfront and reporting anysuspicious growth to a Weed Watcher. Together we cankeep Messer Pond a healthy body of water for all to enjoyfor years to come.
Many Thanks, Janie
- Thank YOU, Janie, from the MPPA Board of Directors.We greatly appreciate your leadership and trainingorganization and your continued involvement as a WeedWatcher.
Amy Smagula from NH DES gives on-pond Weed Watchertraining, June 2006. Bruce Stetson, Jack Hughes andJanie Webster listen attentively as Amy describes theinvasive species, Variable Milfoil. A native species ofmilfoil was discovered in two locations on Messer Pondin 2005. This milfoil is ‘ok’ but it gave us a scare. Noinvasive species were found this year.
Jeff Troxell, Dick Cavallaro, Emma Crane and Bob Cranetake turns reviewing Amy’s visual aids. The weather wasiffy but the rain held off. The Weed Watchers agreed thatthe on-pond training session was well worth riskinggetting wet.
MESSER POND AQUATIC PLANT SURVEY
Amy Smagula, NH DES Exotic Species ProgramCoordinator, conducted a very thorough Aquatic PlantSurvey last year and generated a map of the findings whichcan be viewed on our website, www.messerpond.org/MesserPondPlants.pdf. Below are excerpts from Amy’sreport.
“From my assessment, I have determined that there is ahealthy mix of aquatic plant growth in Messer Pond at thistime. The plants that are found in Messer Pond are verycommon in New Hampshire, including yellow and whitelilies, bladderwort, pickerelweed, and others.
No exotic plants were found anywhere in the pond duringthe survey, but it is advised that the Protective Associationcontinue to monitor once a month from May throughSeptember for these plants - as a single boat could result inthe introduction of an exotic plant that could poseproblems for the pond.
At this point I do not perceive there to be a problem withaquatic plants in Messer Pond. Due to the shallow natureof the pond, and the clarity of the pond, there will be muchhabitat available for aquatic plant growth in the nearshoreareas. Residents are advised to practice good watershedmanagement activities to minimize nutrient loading to thepond, which will thereby slow both plant and algaegrowth.”
- Amy has generously agreed to do a presentation at ournext Annual Meeting. She is a wonderful speaker and isextremely knowledgeable. Thank You, Amy!
WATCHING THE BEAVERS
As we all have seen the little sharp stumps around theshore of the pond we know the Beavers are active.Beavers fell deciduous trees for their winter food of barkand branches and store it underwater near their houses.Like all wildlife beavers have both positive and negativewildlife values. Their unique ability to construct damsand create substantial water impoundments candrastically change the ecology of wooded areas andnatural marshes. Beavers are credited with creating someof the finest waterfowl habitat in the great state of NewHampshire. Black ducks, mallards and wood ducksthrive in these areas and moose may feed on aquatic plantsgrowing along the edges.
These same abilities create potential problems. Inextreme cases, flooded land or road areas can result if thebeaver population grows and the number of damsincrease. Beavers will fell ornamental shrubbery, fruittrees, blueberry bushes, and shade trees for food whenthey are near beaver huts.
Beavers may exhaust the food supply along theimmediate edge of the water and move to new locations,deeper into properties. Beavers seldom cut evergreentrees and rarely travel more that 100 yards from the edgeof the pond in search of food or building material. Beaverhuts may be made from almost any tree species, but inNew Hampshire, alder trees seem to be the favorite, butthey will also find a tasty birch, ash and occasionally asmall oak.
If you think you are experiencing more felled trees thanyou like, there are a few thoughts for control. The NewHampshire Fish and Game Department, which has alsosupplied the information for this article, indicates thatthere are “trouble trappers” who get permission from theConservation officers to live trap and remove the beaversto other areas. Removing any beaver dam would need tobe cleared through our local conservation officers. Thismay not be necessary at this stage, but an assessment ofthe beaver dam and property and shoreline damage maybe in order. Messer Pond is not experiencing damagefrom the beaver dams at this time, however, there is
potential if the population grows. This subject could be atopic for discussion at an upcoming meeting. To protectindividual trees, you can deter the beaver by wrapping thetrees with hardware cloth, like a mesh wire, which can befound at hardware stores.
It is fun to watch the beavers glide across the pond and letus know they are here with an echoing splash of their tail.We will keep an eye on them; while they keep letting usknow they are here with the sound of a felled tree duringthe night or a splash of their tail that echoes off Mt.Kearsarge during the day.
For more information on beavers, see NH Fish & GameDept’s ar t ic le at ht tp: / /wildl i fe .s ta te .nh.us/Wildl ife/Wildl ife_profi les/profi le_beaver.htm
On my periodic walks along Bog Road, I have made it apoint to pick up any trash that has been “deposited” alongthe right of way. It's an easy way to alleviate the boredomof a long walk and I've managed to collect (or retrieve)lots of cans, bottles, plastic cups and similar ephemerathat have been tossed out of cars in the dead of night. Ihave a plea for all people who regularly walk their petsand are concerned about the environment. Some of youare very careful to pick up after your pets and you are to becongratulated on your concern to keep the environmentclean. But please, think about what you are doing whenyou use the famous “Mutt Mitt” to clean up after your pet.
Dog excrement does not easily decompose when it's leftalongside the road. But it will eventually decompose. Onthe other hand, plastic mitts like the aforesaid “Mutt Mitt”will never decompose in less than about seventy-fiveyears. So, if you use a “Mutt Mitt” and then just toss it offto the side of the road, you have actually left more of anenvironmental problem than a raw stack of “doggie-doo.”If you use a “Mutt Mitt” to clean up after your dog (or petpuma), please take the stuff home and put it in the garbage- don't just sling into the woods. You would make itpossible for the environment to recover from thisonslaught sooner. You would also make it possible forthis garbage-gatherer to avoid struggling with large,messy bags of dog excrement or whatever else you'vebeen putting in them.
(Retired Editor's Note: From a retired plastics researcher,plastic bags will shred-decompose in 3-5 years and“doggie-doo” in 3-6 months (even less when trackedhome on your shoes.)
- Jackie Parcells, Fish & Wildlife Director
- Herb Spencer, Bog Road Litter Specialist, May 2006
- Fred Kaufman
ATTN: DOG OWNERS RE: MUTT MITTSN
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November 24 : Herb and Charlotte Spencer's daughtersaw a Pileated Woodpecker in a tree behind the Spencer'shome. A positive identification was made. MarieRossachacj also saw a Pileated Woodpecker in her backyard.
Last two weeks of November: There have been severalsightings of Hooded Mergansers. These wonderful divershave been seen at the east and northeast end of the pond bythe Spencer, Brown, Rogoff, Harris and Stetson families.What a treat to see these beautiful ducks diving for theirdinner!
November l3th: A flock of Canada geese (approx. 60)landed close to shore in front of Les and Betty Brown'sdeck. After a short rest, they returned to the sky.
July: The Stetsons and several other residents heard whatsounded like a Loon.
May 16 : Jane Landenberger reported seeing a loneSeagull resting on Harry and Judy Stotz' raft for severalhours.
Spring & Summer: A Blue Heron was sighted severaltimes fishing in bogs near the Rogoff’s & Kellner’s.
WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
th
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There have been many deer sightings including doe, fawnsand buck on Little Cove and Fieldstone Road by theBingham, Harris and Stetson families. Also, there wereseveral sightings on Bog and Forest Acres Road by theBrown families.
Gordon and Terri Bingham have reported seeing threebears on Fieldstone near White Pine Road. InAugust, Deland Mary Prothero saw a bear and two cubs on Bog Roadnear the Interstate 89 overpass.
A blue and white whale was sighted sometime in Augustfloating right up to Myke and Rose Simon's dock. Weheard from Barbara Troxell that this whale responds to thename “Moby.” He was lost, but has been rescued by theSimons.
July: While kayaking, Terri Bingham and Nancy Stetsoncame across a strange turbulence in the water at the BogRoad end of the pond. Once close enough, theydiscovered two large snapping turtles entangled with oneanother rolling and splashing..
Every so often they would take a breather and rest on theirbacks. They may have been mating. This sighting bringsto mind the following:
The Story of the Snapping Turtles
One warm summer day in the early eighties, there weretwo gigantic snapping turtles tussling in the water near theeast end of the pond. They actually caused young Sue AnnSchock's row boat to be tossed from side to side in thewater. She was so frightened, her screams brought usrunning to the deck. What a sight to see!! When the turtlesfinally settled down, she quickly rowed back to shore, notto be seen on the pond again that summer. Sue Ann wasthen the teenage daughter of Dan and Grace Schock,living in the Yankee Barn now owned by Herb andCharlotte Spencer on Bog Road.
- Betty Brown, SecretaryPat Harris and Nancy Stetson discovered this lovelyMallard couple resting in Little Cove in September.
AUTUMN ON MESSER
POND
Left: West Northwest View from Bog RoadBelow Left:Below Right: Sunset View from Bog RoadBottom Right:
Northeast View from Blueberry Island
East View from Blueberry Island withMount Kearsarge in the background
www.messerpond.org
There was a wonderful show of hands at the AnnualMeeting from those of you who have visited our website.We continue to strive to make it an effectivecommunications tool. The content of the website hasexpanded in the last six months to include an onlineapplication form, a For Sale page showing the MPPAnotecards and tee-shirts, a Photo Gallery page displayingmemories of events - first Regatta and first July 4thCelebration, an Education page which currently detailsthis year’s educational program “They Sawed Up a
Storm,” a developing Pond Ecology page which nowincludes invasive species information, and an AboutMesser Pond page. Goals for the next 6 months includeadding water quality and water safety information. Wetypically update the website at least monthly and we aim tokeep the Schedule page current - so please continue to visitour website often. As always your input, includingphotographs and articles, is most welcome - simply email
. Also, please inform us of emailaddress changes so that we may include you on emailings.Thank you for your support!
