• Dear Members, Neighbors, and Lake Lovers:

  Renew Your Membership by July 1:  As stewards of our beautiful lake, your support is more important than ever. We’re investing in critical programs (e.g., Lake Hosts, extensive water quality testing, monitoring buoy, and new core sediment testing) to protect our waters and ensure a healthy future for everyone who enjoys the Lake.  We rely on your membership dues to make these programs possible. 

  Our Annual Meeting (July 26 @ the Spofford Yacht Club) is always a fun event where our lake-loving members enjoy some fun social time and learn about the work we are focused on. It is also our sole membership meeting where a formal vote is taken.  Only members with up-to-date memberships will be eligible to attend (and thus vote) at the meeting.  We expect Annual Meeting ticket sales to begin on July 1, so make sure your membership is current by renewing now.  Checks can be sent to: SLA, PO Box 177, Spofford NH 03462.  

  Last year, the SLA received a number of matching employer donations.  Will your employer match your personal donation to the SLA?  Please inquire with your Human Resources department to find out.  Contact our Treasurer, Peter Holton at peter@spoffordlakeassociation.org if more information is necessary.  Thank you.

  Let’s work together to keep our lake clean, healthy, and vibrant. As always, thank you for your ongoing support!  

  Way Too Much of a Good Thing:  After the aggressive lowering of the Lake for the purpose of rebuilding the boat ramp, Mother Nature has fully replenished Spofford.  On May 18, the lake water level was 8 inches above the summer level.   So now we have too much water, way too much water. 

  The SLA has worked mightily to reduce or at least contain the level of phosphorous in the water.  Soils at the normal water line are “armored,” that is to say that they are compacted and hardened and thus somewhat more impervious to wave action.  With the very high water, the normal armoring is softened and more prone to erosion.  Phosphorous laden runoff from soil is the single largest contributor to Spofford’s low dissolved oxygen/internal loading problem.

  What can you do?  Take the Temporary No Wake Pledge.  Commit to use your boat at headway speed ONLY until water levels return to normal summer levels.  

  The Town actively monitors the dam, visiting once or twice a week to measure the depth, adjust boards, and remove debris impeding outflow.  Check our Lake Water Level page for the most recent info.  

  Why is the Pledge Important?  Aside from the issue of phosphorous, high water conditions, especially those made worse by significant wave action:

• Erode shorelines, including beaches,
• Impact septic systems,
• Harm nesting loons, 
• Damage docks, boat houses, and retaining walls
• Creates more and dangerous debris, e.g., branches and logs, and maybe a dislodged dock section. 

Thank you for taking “The Pledge.”  And fingers crossed the waters will recede quickly.  

More Boat Ramp News:  In the May 6 Gazette we advised that as part of the revitalization of the boat ramp area, efforts were underway to make the ramp area more paddler friendly.  We are pleased to announce that a 24 foot dock has been installed and is happily being used by paddlers of all sorts.   

And the three or maybe four decade-old “Welcome to Spofford Lake” sign was replaced on May 24 with a wonderful gift from McAnney Fine Art Signs. 

Changes at the SLA Store: Visit our Store, now managed by Bulldog in Keene, and its many new and exciting designs.  There are lots of new product options, including branded (e.g., The North Face and Vineyard Vines) apparel.  Check out the special “2025 Boat Parade” design.  As always, design will change annually and proceeds benefit the SLA’s operating account. 

Our In Box:   A number of boating and fishing questions have been misdirected to the SLA’s inboxes, both social media and info@spoffordlakeassociation.org.  Here’s a refresher on what your SLA Does and Does Not Do.  

As a volunteer non-profit organization, the SLA is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the health and enjoyment of our lake community. We organize educational programs, support conservation initiatives, and foster a sense of stewardship among residents and visitors.

What We Do 

• Promote lake health through volunteer programs and educational outreach. 
• Monitor for invasive species and support prevention efforts,
• Host community events and annual meetings for members, and
• Advocate for best practices in lake use and shoreline management.

What We Do Not Do

It’s important to know that the State of New Hampshire owns the lake and regulates its use. As such, the SLA does not have enforcement authority or regulatory power. We cannot:

• Enforce boating, fishing, or swimming regulations,
• Resolve disputes about docks, moorings, or property boundaries,
• Issue permits or approvals for activities on or in the Lake, or
• Investigate or enforce wildlife or fishing laws.

Who to Contact

If you have concerns or questions about activities on the Lake, please reach out to the appropriate state/Town agency. Here are the contacts details for some of the pertinent authorities:

• Boating Safety, Speed, or Noise Complaints: Contact the New Hampshire Marine Patrol 603-293-2037 or the NH Marine Patrol website.
• Fishing or Wildlife Related: Contact NH Fish and Game 603-271-3421, or go to NH Fish & Game.
• Emergencies: Dial 911 for immediate assistance.   Local fire, rescue, and police will respond. 

• Our association is here to support our members, share information, and work together for the good of the Lake. If you’re unsure where to turn, we’re happy to help point you in the right direction!

  Charitable Gaming:  June 10-19 @ Revo Casino.  The SLA was again selected to participate in the State’s charitable gaming program.   Funds received will be directed to our Lake Preservation Fund.

  Casino gambling is not allowed in the state, however charitable gaming is.  501(c) nonprofits registered with the N.H. Secretary of State and the New Hampshire Charitable Trust, a Division of the Office of the Attorney General are allowed to apply as a “charity of the day.”  Once approved, nonprofits are eligible for 10 days of gaming per year and receive 35% of the gross revenue.  

  The SLA has been selected as a recipient organization for June 10-19 by Revo Casino and Social House in Lebanon, NH.  Revo is a charitable gaming center with a wide variety of entertainment options, including electronic gaming machines and table games. Revo Casino urges all to play responsibly noting "Responsible gaming for the player means he/she has the general understanding that gambling is for pleasure and entertainment but is aware of the likelihood of losing and understands the associated risks."   Learn more about the Revo Casino and responsible gaming here.  

  Avian Update:  While uncharacteristic, some 40 loons were recently spotted cruising Spofford’s placid waters.  We were advised by the Loon Preservation Committee that this is not uncommon. They apparently found a welcoming spot, full of fish, and were resting before their onward journey.  No signs of any nesting yet. 

  Our resident eagle watcher, Lee Brockman, reports that the nest bowl is rather deep, but she has spotted one “bobble head” poking out of the nest.  Fingers crossed for a second head. 

  Utterly Otters:  As part of its Watershed Health Initiative, the Chesterfield Conversation Commission will host ‘Utterly Otters’ on June 18 at 7:00pm at Town Hall. Susie Spikol, author and naturalist, will discuss the role these charismatic mammals play in the maintaining our watershed.  The session is free. Questions?  Contact chesterfield.conservation@gmail.com.

  Independence Weekend Festivities: Though not affiliated with the SLA, we understand that the following activities will take place:

• July 4, Annual Boat Parade—typically starts in the North Shore beach cove area around 2:00pm,
• July 5, Spoffest XVI (weather dependent)--afternoon free concert- attend by boat or float,
• July 5, Spofford Sky Show, both drone and fireworks shows, 9:15pm behind the B&K Club.  Organizers of these events are holding a fund-raising open house on June 1.  If you wish to donate to this lake-friendly activity, check our calendar for more details, including a Venmo account and mailing address for checks.  

A Few More Lake Friendly Tips:

• Use native landscaping plants wherever possible.  Their roots systems are more robust, generally grow deeper, and provide better soil filtration and retention,  
• Direct gutter drainpipes into rocky or vegetated areas to slowly disperse water, and
• Add rain barrels to capture the spring showers for later use.

NH LAKES: The 2025 Lakes Congress will be held on June 5 @ the Grappone Conference Center in Concord.  A small team is already signed up to represent the Spofford Lake Association.  We’d be delighted to add a few more lake lovers to our delegation.  To register for this one-day event, click here. 

Happy Memorial Day Everyone, 🇺🇸

The Spofford Lake Association