The Stocker Pond Association An historical perspective

Algae has increased and water clarity had decreased

"Mermaid weed" has increased

The Marine Patrol visited the Pond. No raft violations were noted, although both watercraft and land violations were noted. [No further detail provided]

The voting rights committee could not agree on a recommendation, so the voting procedure set forward in the by-laws stands: "Voting rights shall be restricted to one vote per water-front property owner or owners. When more than one person owns a property or properties on the water front that owner or owners shall have only one vote."

Pat Woolson reported that the expansion of the rest area on Interstate 89 would take 2.5 years to complete. A spill into Stocker Pond of glacial silt resulted in coffee-colored water extending into the Pond from the inlet in May. The DES sent a letter of deficiency to the Continental Paving Company after which a silt retaining pond was constructed on the site of their rock crushing and hot top plant located to the east of the old rest area. The runoff from heavy rains carry quantities of magnesium and iron. It was suggested that all property owners have their well water tested to provide a baseline status report should the blasting cause any changes to our water sources. Discussion ensued and a motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to allow Pat unlimited expenses for lab testing to be done at her discretion.

The Blue Mountain Snow Dusters sent a permission form to Pat Woolson asking for permission form the club to use her property to access the Pond in the winter. [This is a bit confusing since the property which the snowmobiles access is not Woolson’s but adjacent to it, though perhaps she was managing the right of way property.]

Barabara Eckbreth was now the author of "not one, but two published books."

"Fred Parsons’ landscape photography work was juried at the Sedona Arts Center in Arizona again this year; his work is on display at the New London Art Gallery, and he will have his work for sale in the NH Art Association’s tent at the Sunapee State Fair the first week in August."

The construction on Interstate 89 was causing no further degradation of water quality, though it would be continued to be monitored. Regarding water quality, the beavers are back at the inlet. Glenda Szczesiul and Mary Ann Reno will once again be doing the weed watch for the year [presumably on the lookout for invasive species]. Property owners were strongly encouraged to use low phosphate detergents. Pat Woolson mentioned that the State promised to create a new bathymetric map of the Pond in light of all the silt that had come into the Pond due to construction. Thain Allan said that "it was not economically feasible to try to filter his old dug well to the point of safety, so he had a well drilled instead. Unfortunately, his well was 450 feet deep. Other wells drilled in recent years have reached sustainable water supplies at depths of 150-325 feet."

Finally, more concern over speeding on Stocker Pond Road, especially given the presence of children in the neighborhood.

Since the Pond is relatively shallow, it is important to operate boats at slow speeds in shallow areas to minimize disturbance to sediments and vegetation.

Conductivity has increased in the Pond and inlet since the Stocker Pond Association joined the [lay monitoring] program. It is caused by human activity including: septic systems, agricultural and road runoff. Natural sources such as iron deposits in bedrock can also influence conductivity. The State recommended the inlet by investigated so that they can determine what may be causing the increases, and they wanted to be informed of any new development in the areas such as the property surrounding Palazzi pond.

Further, they wanted to schedule the "annual biologist visit" in August so they can determine if oxygen is depleted in the lower layer later in the sampling season.

[Stolen from the internet: Low dissolved oxygen (DO) primarily results from excessive algae growth caused by phosphorus. Nitrogen is another nutrient that can contribute to algae growth. As the algae die and decompose, the process consumes dissolved oxygen. This can result in insufficient amounts of dissolved oxygen available for fish and other aquatic life. Die-off and decomposition of submerged plants also contributes to low dissolved oxygen. The process of decomposition is called Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD). Sources of phosphorus include discharges from municipal and private wastewater treatment, cropland and urban storm water runoff, and natural decay of vegetation. ]

Inlet weed growth has increased by more the 25% in the last year. A good deal more information was reported in the meeting minutes.

Aquatic Vegetation Invasive/Native look alike field guide.

NH DES Weed Watcher fact sheet.

Longer field guides from DES including Common Aquatic and Riparian Plants of New Hampshire. and Aquatic Plants and Algae of New Hampshire’s Lakes and Ponds.