Lake Warren Watershed Management Plan Implementation Completed
- January 10, 2023
The Lake Warren Watershed Management Plan was developed collaboratively by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), SWRPC and the Lake Warren Association (LWA) in 2016 to address declining water quality in Lake Warren (Alstead). According to the NHDES, aquatic life in Lake Warren is impaired due to high nutrient levels and low pH. High nutrient levels can stimulate algae growth, which decreases water clarity and makes water appear cloudy. The Lake Warren Watershed Management Plan provides a roadmap for addressing core problems impacting water quality, such as stormwater runoff, and a mechanism for procuring future funding, such as grants to implement action steps needed to achieve water quality goals.
The Lake Warren Watershed Management Plan established a goal for reducing nutrient loading in the lake by 25% to improve conditions for aquatic organisms. In order to reduce nutrient loading, the project funded the design and installation of stormwater controls on public and private properties in the Lake Warren watershed. The project engaged multiple stakeholders. Direct funding and in-kind funding was provided by NHDES, the LWA, project engineers and consultants, municipal officials and staff from the Town of Alstead and private landowners. Public engagement was a key to the success of this project. Throughout the project, three public presentations were held to inform the public featuring NHDES staff members Jeff Marcoux, Kate Hastings and Lisa Loosigian.
In total, this project funded the implementation of drainage structures to control stormwater at eight locations. This project also funded a conceptual design for stormwater improvements on Pine Cliff Road, which was presented to the Alstead Board of Selectmen. Pine Cliff Road was identified by the Watershed Management Plan as a primary source of nutrient runoff. Collectively, these changes will reduce the amount of nutrient runoff entering the lake. The result will be improved water quality for the benefit of aquatic life as well as local residents who use the lake. To view the final report of this phase, please click here.