The Province Lake Watershed survey update is now available on the website at the below link. The ground work survey activity was completed in the spring of 2025 being led by AWWA with the assistance of many PLA volunteers as well as technical experts. Letter’s have been mailed to all households that have erosion issues. Home owners who receive a letter are encouraged to contact AWWA to set up a site visit to discuss best practices to implement to help curb the erosion. There are no requirements for this, but the PLA strongly recommends action be taken.

Province Lake Watershed Survey Update – 2025

Hello PLA Community,

As you may or may not know, the PLA had a watershed management plan completed back in 2014.  Included in that was what is called a watershed survey, which entails walking the watershed and identifying areas where erosion and nutrient/pollution loading is occurring. 

We will be updating this watershed survey on April 26, 2025 and desperately need volunteers to help.  Since erosion is one of the primary contributors to the excess phosphorus in the lake, which in turn causes cyanobacteria blooms, this is a great opportunity for those who want to do something to help to get involved!

See flyer for more information. PLEASE NOTE … the flyer below indicates an all day event. It will be no more than 8 hours and some folks will be done sooner.

Further information will be emailed as the event gets closer including the virtual meeting link, meet up location, etc

If you have any questions, prior to signing up, please reach out and ask.

Sign up using google form: https://forms.gle/KQJnhEbGqh7Wvbu47

While the Google Form is the preferred method, feel free to contact Marcia directly (see flyer) and sign up with her if that’s easier.

Thank you for your support in helping Province Lake!

The PLA

Hi all,
The Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance (AWWA) and Province Lake Association have successfully applied for and received another New Hampshire 319 Grant to help protect the water quality of Province Lake. Section 319 of the Clean Water Act allows the EPA to grant funds to states and local organizations to maintain clean and healthy water bodies, or address specific water quality issues. As a local organization with a full-time technical staff, AWWA acquires these grants on behalf of local lake associations, and helps to implement projects on the lake.
This 319 grant funds a variety of water quality projects and programs. First, if you are experiencing erosion on your lakefront property, AWWA will conduct a free site visit and develop a landscape plan to address erosion. The grant provides funding for AWWA’s Youth Conservation Corps to install stormwater landscape designs on lakefront properties. Homeowners need only purchase the required materials and the labor is free. This is an affordable, lake-friendly landscaping alternative that benefits the lake and protects your shoreline.
This grant also includes a septic system cost-share replacement program. Old and undersized septic systems are a major source of Phosphorus in the lake. If you think your septic system needs replacement call AWWA or visit their website to apply for cost-share funding. Four homeowners will receive up to $4,600 each to be used toward their septic system replacements. These are prioritized based on water quality impact and first come first served so please apply today or call AWWA to see if you qualify.

AWWA Contact Info:
(p) 603 473 2500
(e) info@awwatersheds.org

The PLA contracted with Don Kretchmer to do a sediment analysis of the lake and update the phosphorus loading model with the results of that analysis. Don’s report is now available for viewing at this Link.

Our sixth annual Province Lake Beach Cleanup will take place on Saturday, September 7 starting at 9am.
If you have an hour or so, please join your lake neighbors and help cleanup the Rte 153 beach area (rain or shine). We will meet near the entrance to the Donville Campground on Rte 153. Gloves and bags will be provided. Just bring yourself and the desire to help beautify our lakeshore. We hope to see you there.
Many thanks.
The PLA

Take a look at this announcement and move quickly if you one to be one of the four.

Septic funding announcement 2018

Your efforts can help improve the quality of Province Lake.

On Saturday the 27th of August 14 PLA members and Board members walked the length of Rte 153 and picked up garbage.  The results were as follows:

Participants:
14 people for 2 hours

7 Board members and family:
Lorie Dunne
Jon Samuelson
Mindy Schuman Vye
Tucker Vye
Thom Townsend
Jan Townsend
Pete Dinger

7 PLA members and supporters:
Pat Benzing
Noel Cartwright
Shirley Cartwright
Larry Moody
Neil Rowe
Judy Skog
Larry Skog

Trash collected:
16 bags plus loose items
147 pounds
400 + pounds of broken cement blocks

Estimated total pounds 547

Some Beauty on the Beach as the Trash was Collected

Do you have problems or concerns relative to your septic system? As part of PLA’s ongoing work to reduce the amount of phosphorus and other pollutants flowing into Province Lake, funds are available through the NHDES grant awarded to the Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance (AWWA) to conduct evaluations of septic systems around the lake.

These evaluations are totally free to the property owner. The evaluation will provide information to the owner as to what is necessary to make the system function in an effective and environmentally friendly manner.

Once a problem is defined, up to $3000 may be available to remediate the problem next year.

These evaluations must be conducted before the ground freezes or after the spring thaw. There is no need to be present when the evaluation is conducted. Only six more evaluations are available.

If you would like your property to be considered, please contact AWWA at 603/473-2500 or info@AWwatersheds.org to see if you qualify.

The Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance requests qualifications for consultants to assist with the following project:

Province Lake Watershed Management Plan Implementation Phase 1 – Residential Shoreline Restoration & Stormwater Management.

To download the RFQ, click here:AWWA PL Landscape Design RFQ July 2015

Response Due Date: RFQ Responses are due by 2:00 pm on, July 17, 2015  to Linda Schier, Executive Director, info@AWwatersheds.org