Protecting Kolelemook Lake begins by recognizing its watershed and understanding how and where runoff finds its way into the lake.
A watershed is an area land that drains or “sheds” water into a specific waterbody, such as a lake, pond or river. This waterbody is where all the water from precipitation and groundwater not used in other ecological processes eventually collects. Every body of water has a watershed.
If you walk the roads surrounding Kolelemook, it’s not hard to see the many points where runoff flows down from the higher elevations towards and into the lake. Landowners around the lake may have intermittent streams run through or next to their property. And if you ever looked out towards the lake during a thunderstorm, you’ll have even a better sense of where volumes of water pour into the lake!
Below is a picture of Kolelemook Lake’s watershed (outlined in red) from an older study in the early 2000s.
A watershed is an area land that drains or “sheds” water into a specific waterbody, such as a lake, pond or river. This waterbody is where all the water from precipitation and groundwater not used in other ecological processes eventually collects. Every body of water has a watershed.
If you walk the roads surrounding Kolelemook, it’s not hard to see the many points where runoff flows down from the higher elevations towards and into the lake. Landowners around the lake may have intermittent streams run through or next to their property. And if you ever looked out towards the lake during a thunderstorm, you’ll have even a better sense of where volumes of water pour into the lake!
Below is a picture of Kolelemook Lake’s watershed (outlined in red) from an older study in the early 2000s.
Shoreline owners are the last line of defense and have the biggest impact on managing and mitigating the pollutants that flow into our lake through runoff. Below are some helpful resources to help increase your awareness of the threats to the lake and how you can help mitigate them.
A Shoreland Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater Management is a great pamphlet produced by the NH Department of Environmental Services. This guide introduces the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act (SWQPA) and provides several simple and cost effective practices that shoreland homeowners can install to address stormwater runoff from roofs, patios, lawns and driveways.
The Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act (SWQPA) establishes buffers known as “protected shoreland”, located along public waters. The protected shoreland are those lands located within 250 feet of the reference line of public waters.
A Guide to Wise Lake and Watershed Stewardship by NH LAKES is also a great resource outlining lake friendly actions you can implement on your property as well as lake friendly boating and recreation actions.
A Shoreland Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater Management is a great pamphlet produced by the NH Department of Environmental Services. This guide introduces the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act (SWQPA) and provides several simple and cost effective practices that shoreland homeowners can install to address stormwater runoff from roofs, patios, lawns and driveways.
The Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act (SWQPA) establishes buffers known as “protected shoreland”, located along public waters. The protected shoreland are those lands located within 250 feet of the reference line of public waters.
- The NHDES Protected Shoreland Page provides a comprehensive review of the act, resources, fact sheets, videos and permitting information.
- The NHDES Protected Shoreland FAQs can be accessed through this link.
A Guide to Wise Lake and Watershed Stewardship by NH LAKES is also a great resource outlining lake friendly actions you can implement on your property as well as lake friendly boating and recreation actions.