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Dan Dick
via the COLAP January 2003 Newsletter
Welcome to the
Lake Quinsigamond Watershed Association
Founded in 1984, the Lake Quinsigamond Watershed Association (LQWA)
is a volunteer-based organization of nearly 100 members committed
to enhancing the quality of life in and around Lake Quinsigamond
for all of its natural and human residents. It was incorporated
for the purpose of restoring, preserving and maintaining the
environmental water quality and recreational quality of the
watershed area.
We Protect Water Quality and Provide Information for Community,
Residents and Visitors.
LQWA is currently involved in a drawdown project to take place in
2003. The section of the lake is the southernmost Flint Pond.
“Stringer” dams will have to be placed across the lake above Flint
Pond so as to isolate the drawdown to this part of the lake.
Past chemical treatment of weeds proved to be ineffective. (Where
have we heard that song before?)
Being an urban lake crossed by major traffic arteries,
Quinsigamond is the natural depository for stormwater runoff
drainage systems and also the ages old problem of illicit sanitary
sewer connections. Fortunately, a main official in the Shrewsbury
Health Dept. is an active member of LQWA and Worcester DPW is a
responsible agency. Gradually, improvements are being made and
higher standards are being enforced.
A related organization is the Lake Quinsigamond Commission (LQC).
The LQC has applied for a $389,200 grant that would begin to
restore the use of both Lake Quinsigamond and Lake Ripple in
Grafton for recreation by eventually bringing the water quality of
both lakes up to swimmable and fishing standards. To achieve this
over a three + year period: stormwater drain catchments will be
assessed to dtermine the areas of greatest stormwater impact;
phosphorus and sediment will be reomved from priority sites before
they enter the lakes; the removal of existing sediment; the
education of watershed residents as to their role in reducing
non-point source pollution. Project success will be measured
through per-a nd post-project water quality monitoring.
Website:
www.lqwa.org |
