Water Sampling
Identifying Changes in Water Quality
Newfound is known for its clean and clear water throughout New England. We have earned a spot on unofficial lists of high-quality water bodies, including this article in The Blog for Lifestyle & Travel: Top 10 Clearest Lakes in the U.S. You Have to See to Believe. Unfortunately, this ranking is not guaranteed and we are seeing downwards trends in our water quality reports. Stormwater runoff is the biggest source of pollution to surface water, illustrated by the picture on the right.Water quality is threatened by major storms and poorly planned development.
Water sampling volunteers are the vanguard of lake protection. With eight sample sites on the lake and 35 more on tributary streams, volunteers who gather and analyze water samples provide scientific data that tell us about the trends in different sections of the lake and allow us to identify problems before they become expensive clean-ups.And the work is fun!
All Sampling Data is Available on the UNH Website (Click Here)
Testing is slightly different for lake and streams; but areas of interest may include phosphorus levels, dissolved oxygen, water clarity and more. Choose a sampling area that you are familiar with or wish to learn more about. The NLRA will show you how to gather samples and analyze them. Give yourself an excuse to get out on the lake and along the streams. You will be amazed by how much you learn about the watershed and you will quickly understand how important this work is.
The 8 sites on the lake are as follows:
- The deepest point of the lake (2018 Highlights)
- Mayhew Island (2018 Highlights)
- Pasquaney Bay (2018 Highlights)
- Loon Island (2018 Highlights)
- Cockermouth River Drainage (2018 Highlights)
- Beechwood (2018 Highlights)
- Follansbee Cove (2018 Highlights)
There are 8 major tributaries into Newfound Lake with 35 sample sites:
- Black Brook (2018 Highlights)
- Cockermouth River (2018 Highlights)
- Hardy Brook
- Atwell Brook
- Dick Brown Brook (2018 Highlights)
- Fowler River (2018 Highlights)
- Bog Brook
- Clark Brook
- Brock Brook
- Patten Brook
- Georges Brook (2018 Highlights)
- Cilley Brook
- Frett’s Brook
- Hemlock Brook (2018 Highlights)
- Tilton Brook (2018 Highlights)
- Whittemore Brook (2018 Highlights)
What Can I Do to Keep My Water Clean?
This is your land and your water – to protect what you love you have to take an active part.
- Be a steward of your own property. Prevent stormwater runoff, encourage healthy native vegetation, and practice low-impact development (landscaping, earth-tone paints, muted lighting).
- Engage with your Town Planning and Select Boards to create and enforce zoning that balances environmental protection with sustainable development.
- Support our strategy to protect some of Newfound’s most pristine habitats through conservation.
- Continue to be a member of the NLRA and encourage your friends and neighbors to join. We are the only organization working full-time and year-’round to keep Newfound clean and clear.