Water Quality Town Meeting:  On Wednesday, November 19, 6:00pm, at Town Hall, 518 Route 63, Chesterfield, we will gather to learn about the state of Spofford Lake’s water quality and what potential actions may be needed to improve and protect it.   To join remotely, see the Zoom details below.

Laura Diemer, Senior Project Manager, Lakes Services Lead, & Director of Operations, FB Environmental (FBE) will discuss the results of the August phosphorous core sampling and outline future remedial actions, their timelines and costs.  

In the August 24 Lake Lover Gazette and Core Sampling 2.0 video, we reported on our recent efforts to better understand the levels of phosphorous across the Lake, and the extent to which Spofford is likely approaching a state of widespread phosphorous internal loading.  

A field team from FBE conducted (on August 12) phosphorous core sediment samplings at 12 locations (see the map) along major flow lines and at varying depths within the Lake. The samples sought to identify the different fractions of phosphorous, allowing for an estimate of the total mass of phosphorus stored in the lakebed and, importantly, the portion of phosphorus that could be released into the water column when deep waters lose oxygen. Data coming from the continuous monitoring buoy, located over the deep spot, tells us that Spofford suffers prolonged periods of low dissolved oxygen (DO) at 14 and 16 meters.  

When bottom waters go anoxic (oxygen-free), the natural balance is lost, sediments release bound phosphorus, a condition called “internal loading,” which in turn fuels excessive toxic algae (e.g., cyanobacteria) and plant growth.  Both are highly detrimental to lakes and their recreational users.  Fish and other water life are also negatively impacted.   

Learn what can be done to protect our cherished Spofford Lake.  We hope to see you on Wednesday, in November 19 at Town Hall @ 6:00pm.  Or participate remotely by using these Zoom coordinates: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82642143669?pwd=PIw106qs0nLXSFg0WLn1uxvYEW95rN.1

Meeting ID: 826 4214 3669, Passcode: 03462

Second Milfoil Save:  Our Lake Host team snagged their second invasive hitchhiker in 2025.  The most recent, also milfoil, was found in early October, again on a trailer, but his time the trailer was hauling a kayak.  

A correction, in September we reported that the Hosts had found milfoil on a boat trailer.  In fact, the trailer was carrying two invasives species, milfoil and fanwort.  Way to go Lake Hosts.   

Witches Ply the Waters:  In the first-ever ‘Witches Kayaking’ eight hearty women took to the waters on October 30 in their season’s finest garb.  For more photos of the adventure, click here.

Closing Out the Season: 

• The new dock has been carefully put to rest for the season and will be re-installed in the spring. 
  
• Fall turnover water sampling is typically the last task of the season.  Turnover occurs when the cool oxygen-rich top waters of a lake sink to the bottom forcing the oxygen depleted waters to the top for re-oxygenation.  Weather permitting, turnover testing is planned for Thursday, November 20. 
  
• Final sweep for invasives is to be completed this month, weather permitting.   
  

Sincerely, The Spofford Lake Association