The Sunapee Area Watershed Coalition

Watershed Forum

Did You Know…

That the only outlet from this watershed is in Sunapee Harbor where our water flows into the Sugar River?

That the Sugar River flows west through Newport and Claremont, until it joins up with the Connecticut River?

That our water then flows south, down the Connecticut River, until it pours into the Atlantic Ocean in Old Saybrook, Connecticut?

Within the watershed…

approximately 30,000 acres of land (or 46.9 square miles)

5,400 acres of water, covering 18% of the watershed

two counties – Sullivan and Merrimack

ten lakes and ponds

Water Pollution

When people think of water pollution they commonly think of industrial discharges and sewage outfalls pouring directly into a body of water. Because this type of pollution enters the water at a specific point – such as a pipe or drain – it is called point source pollution.

While point source pollution is a problem in some areas, the concern in our watershed is non-point source pollution (or NPS, storm water runoff or polluted runoff).

Nutrients

In a fresh water system phosphorus is the nutrient of greatest concern. While small amounts of this nutrient occur naturally, and it is necessary for the growth of plants – phosphorus added from human activity can cause serious imbalance in a lake ecosystem.

Phosphorus is the nutrient in lakes that plants just can’t get enough of. They will continue to use phosphorus as long as it comes into the system, and plants will essentially grow out of control. So limiting phosphorus use in the watershed is a great way to limit non-point source pollution.

over 35 streams and rivers

portions of six towns

Goshen

Newbury

New London

Springfield

Sunapee

Sutton

approximately 3,500 households, year- round and seasonal

As the name suggests, rather than coming from a single source, this type of pollution comes from a variety of sources and is made up of a variety of pollutants making it harder to manage and ultimately control.

Two of the biggest non-point pollutants are sediment and nutrients – which together account for more than 80% of the pollution in American lakes.

Sediments

Sediment probably causes more surface water degradation than any other single contaminant. Excess sediment in the water can smother fish nests with silt, and harms the tiny organisms that fish depend upon for food.

Soil also acts as a carrier of pollutants. Molecules of pesticides, oil, metals, fertilizer and other chemical contaminants and nutrients cling to grains of soil as rain and snowmelt wash through the watershed, and are carried to surface waters.

Actions You Can Take – BMPs

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are land management practices recommended to minimize human impact on the environment

In your home:

Use low-phosphate or phosphate-free detergents in both laundry and kitchen Dispose properly of hazardous household liquids, such as oil, anti-freeze and paint – don’t pour down the drain

Outside your home:

If you use chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides, check state and local regulations, and use them SPARINGLY Compost organic matter (leaves and grass clippings) well away from surface water Minimize the amount of bare soil – consider the use of native ground covers If your property has any surface water, even a small brook or wetland, keep a buffer of vegetation along it In an area bordering surface water, check local and state regulations before cutting any trees Have your septic tank pumped out at least every three years

Reprinted from The Lake Sunapee Watershed, June 2003, with permission from Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA)

SAWC: The link between land use and water quality