An article was recently published in the Foster’s Daily Democrat with recommendations from NH Marine Patrol to reduce shoreline erosion and property damage:

https://www.fosters.com/…/boaters-asked-to…/52571803007/

As this pertains to our lake (which has continued to be at a historic water level), it’s a worthy read!

Hi All,

NH DES tested again today and unfortunately decided not to lift the Advisory.  See official notice below ….

Province Lake was resampled today, 27 July 2023. The cyanobacteria density was low in all samples, however it was pouring during sampling so these are not representative samples. Folks reported continued bloom conditions to varying degrees around the lake earlier this week, so the advisory will remain active. Please keep signs posted at public access points. NHDES will arrange for sampling again next week. If people ask for updates on the current cyanobacteria advisory status, please direct them to the Healthy Swimming Mapper. If you click on the advisory symbol, you can see our most recent sampling date. When advisories are lifted, the red symbol for the waterbody will no longer be on the map.  

Please forward this email to other residents / community members who need this information.  

Best,

Kate Langley Hastings
Cyanobacteria HAB Program Coordinator
Watershed Management Bureau, Water Division
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
29 Hazen Drive, P.O. Box 95, Concord, NH 03302-0095
603-848-8094   kate.l.hastings@des.nh.gov
she/her

PLA Members,

Please see the message below from the NH DES. Unfortunately, our cyanobacteria advisory remains in effect:

“Province Lake was resampled today, 20 July 2023. The cyanobacteria density continues to exceed the state limit of 70,000 cell/mL, so the advisory will remain active. Sample densities ranged from 7,600 cells/mL to 118,399 cells/mL. Please keep signs posted at public access points. NHDES will arrange for sampling again next week. If people ask for updates on the current cyanobacteria advisory status, please direct them to the Healthy Swimming Mapper. If you click on the advisory symbol, you can see our most recent sampling date. When advisories are lifted, the red symbol for the waterbody will no longer be on the map.”
Regards,
The PLA Board

Hello Province Lake Community,

See note below from Kate Hastings at NH DES.  Hoping for better news soon but wanted to make sure we spread the word.  Healthy Swimming Mapper is a great tool to keep track of our lake’s Cyanobacteria status.

Jim Aiken

PLA

Hi All,

Province Lake was resampled today, 13 July 2023. The cyanobacteria density continues to exceed the state limit of 70,000 cell/mL, so the advisory will remain active. The highest observed density today was 342,200 cells/mL of Dolichospermum. Please keep signs posted at public access points. NHDES will arrange for sampling again next week. If people ask for updates on the current cyanobacteria advisory status, please direct them to the Healthy Swimming Mapper. If you click on the advisory symbol, you can see our most recent sampling date. When advisories are lifted, the red symbol for the waterbody will no longer be on the map.  

Hello all,

If the rain would ever stop, maybe we can still have a summer.  I can’t remember seeing the lake this high at this time of year.  At any rate, as you all should know we will be having the Province Lake Association Annual Meeting on July 22nd at 9:00 at Edge Lake Farm at the golf course.  So, mark your calendars if you haven’t already. 

As in previous years, we will be voting on a few things at the meeting.  Anyone is invited to attend the meeting, but only members can vote on any business needing votes.  If you aren’t a member yet, you can join before the meeting at our website under the “About” tab.  You can also join at the meeting itself.  There are two specific items to be voted on.

First are the minutes from last year’s annual meeting which you can read on our website at this link ….

PLA Annual Meeting Minutes

Second  we will be voting on Board members.  The nominating committee of the Board has put together a list of 4 candidates that are current Board members looking to stay for another term.  So that you have an idea of who these people are, you can read a short bio on them at this link … 

2023 Board Bios

Nominees from the floor will also be considered at the meeting and should be prepared to discuss why they would like to be on the board etc..

That’s it for now, hope to see you there.

The PLA

PLA Members,

The cyanobacteria advisory for Province Lake has been lifted as of today (June 8th). The red cyanobacteria signs at public access points around the lake are being taken down.

A message from the NH DES:

“The cyanobacteria WARNING (ADVISORY) that was issued on 1 June 2023 has been REMOVED for Province Lake, Effingham/Wakefield as of today 8 June 2023. While the bloom accumulation has dissipated, NHDES advises that lake-goers look out for green surface accumulations in the future. Please continue to monitor your individual shoreline for changing conditions.”

Regards,
The PLA Board

PLA Members,

The cyanobacteria blooms we have been monitoring since this past weekend have unfortunately worsened.

NHDES has now issued a cyanobacteria advisory for Province Lake.

Signs are being placed around the lake at all public access points.

The NHDES warning is as follows:

“A cyanobacteria WARNING (ADVISORY) has been issued for Province Lake, Effingham/Wakefield. The sample reviewed today had cyanobacteria (Dolichospermum) in concentrations up to 504,000 cells/mL in areas of highest observed accumulations. Advisories are issued when cell counts exceed 70,000 cells/mL. NHDES advises lake users to not wade or swim in the water during an advisory. Please also keep pets and livestock out. The advisory is not based on a toxin evaluation and is intended as a precautionary measure for short term exposure.  

NHDES will resample in a week. I will reach out to you before then for updates. If you have information on where accumulated material is being observed at that time, please let us know to guide our sampling efforts. Advisories remain active until the bloom subsides.”

Regards,

The PLA Board