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Dear Members, Neighbors, and Lake Lovers:
As we close out 2025, our volunteer team leaders offer their reflections on the great work accomplished by their respective teams:
Bruce Soltys, Grants 2025 was a certainly a mixed year for our Grant efforts with some promising results and some unexpected pauses. While we were excited to see the opening of the new boat launch and surrounding areas, which used some residual funding from our Phase II 319 grant, the attempted cost-cutting measures from our nation’s capital, coupled with the federal shutdown, led to a lengthy pause of federal grant submission applications that we have relied on in the past.
With the help of the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES), we have recently gotten access to a mix of other state, non-profit, and private resources to consider as new non-federal grant sources. We will be working diligently to investigate these resources and considering eligibility to see if our projects, such as Pinnacle Springs runoff, will fit and compete for funding.
Weed Watch, Val Starbuck
The Weed Watch Team was on the prowl, again in 2025, for invasive flora and fauna that could cause havoc to our beautiful Lake Spofford. Twice per season, the volunteers, and I repeat, volunteers, head out to assigned areas along the shoreline and island to search for invasive species. If found, NH DES can assist in early eradication methods.
I am happy to report that no invasive weeds were found along the shoreline, including a secondary late season search of the most high-risk shoreline on either side of the ramp.
In no particular order, the Weed Watchers for 2025 were:
Ken Holvick, Peter Holton, Mike Gold, Carlo Acorsi, Rachel Grumm, Dana McGinn, Tommy & Michele Conran, Carey Compton, Joe Ragusa, Marcie MacKenzie, Chris Giles, Chris Oot, Brandon Oakes, Lauren Turner, Peg Bailey, Pam & Ken Walton, Wendy & Steve Schwartz, Bob & Mike Willey, Casey & Steve Downes, Charlie Paquette, and Jon Starbuck.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to these folks. All those who love and cherish Lake Spofford can be thankful for their diligence. We are one of the few lakes in NH and surrounding states that is still “exotic free” some 20+ years after the program began. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season.
Lake Hosts, Frank Turner
The Lake Hosts are the first line of defense against invasives and work closely with the Weed Watch team. Many thanks to our crew of 6 Lake Hosts. Ever vigilant, they show up, rain or shine, and before the season officially begins to cover the early spring bass tournaments, to defend Spofford Lake from invasive plants and animals that abound in nearby waterbodies. This year, we recorded four “saves” (fanwort and milfoil) by correctly identifying and capturing hitchhikers, mostly attached to boat trailers, from entering the Lake.
Harry Compton, Water Quality Monitoring (WQM)
2025 was my first year as team lead. I very much appreciate the organization and guidance provided by my predecessor, Chris Oot. This year's successful lake and effluent/influent monitoring were accomplished on time and on budget with truly dedicated and committed folks. While SLA couldn't collect samples at every location at every designated sampling date, it was not due to lack of trying but rather insufficient water from drought. The volunteers are impressively knowledgeable and not reluctant to learn, execute and deliver whatever the mission needed. In particular, I would like to tip my hat to James Corliss, Art Huggins, Susan Donahue, Peter Holton, and on-shore leads Pam Walton and Kelli Rooney.
Art Huggins, WQM On-water
As our year comes to an end, I am extremely grateful for the support that I received. The help of James Corliss, Harry, and Chris makes collecting on-water samples a breeze. As we learn more about the history behind these samples, we can begin to understand how the lake has evolved. I hope we can continue to learn more and see how we can improve the quality of the water. Best wishes for a great new year.
Art Huggins, Pierce Island
A spring cleanup was conducted, including a sprucing up of trails. We also repositioned the Pierce Island sign from its previous home at the boat ramp. Thanks to Larry Smith, Chris Sheehan, Rob Huggins and my grandsons for all their hard work.
Val Starbuck, Loons
For everyone wintering on the lake, this is a reminder to be on the lookout for any loons that might get iced in. In late 2021, there was such a rescue. Loons sometimes get caught off guard with a deep freeze. They really need a lot (up to 0.25 miles) of open water to take flight. If you see a loon in peril, perhaps confined to a small section of water, take photos and call me at 603-762-3447 or reach out to the Loon Preservation Committee at 603-476-5666 so action can be taken.
The Spofford Lake Association is very proud of our accomplishments in 2025, among them the replacement and thus improvement of the boat ramp and surrounding area and the phosphorous sediment sampling (PSS). Regarding the boat ramp, we again wish to thank the donor who kicked off the project, and the Town for allocating funds and other resources for its full completion. Working together, the Town, the Boat Ramp Committee, and the SLA have created an asset for the Town, lake residents, and visitors that should last another 30 years. Thank you all.
As a result of this summer’s PSS, we are beginning to understand what any remediation might involve, including State permit requirements, e.g., more comprehensive cyanobacteria tracking. More work and learning will need to be accomplished and we expect FB Environmental to continue to guide us as we look to the future.
2025 has seen a decline in membership dues over 2024. While economic times may be uncertain, we are certain that Spofford Lake will continue to require our care and tending into 2026 and beyond.
With that in mind, I invite you to take the last few days of the year to send in your 2025 member dues. We thank all of you who have supported us during the year and have allowed us to undertake important projects and ongoing programs to protect our wonderful lake. Dues payments by check should be sent to the SLA, PO Box 177, Spofford, NH 03462 or use your online account by clicking here. If you have never been a member of the SLA, we invite you to join us now. Thanks so much.
I could not close out our final report without mentioning the passing of one our Lake Hosts. It is with great sorrow that the SLA acknowledges the passing of Morgon Turner. Morgon, grandson of Lake Host lead, Frank Turner, served as a Lake Host for two summers. We extend our deepest condolences to his family.
We wish you all peace this holiday season and a happy and healthy 2026.
Sincerely,
On behalf of the SLA Board of Directors
Kelli Rooney, President
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Water Quality
