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Dan Dick
via the COLAP January 2003 Newsletter
QQLA has been in existence almost 20 years and is near and dear to
my heart since I spent my formative years there and am drawn back
every summer for at least a couple of sails or rides on their
waters and rivers. That is, as far as one can get on poor Lake
Quaboag due to the almost total weed growth. They have tried
various methods of removal with little success and are now reduced
to raising the $25,000 for a chemical treatment of their northern
and eastern shoreline.
I’ve been working recently with
members of the Quaboag/Quacumquasit Lakes Association (along with
a few area legislators, DEP and the town of Spencer) to put
together a Task Force to look at issues facing Quaboag Pond.
Quaboag Pond is one of the largest waterbodies in the Chicopee
River Basin (second only to Quabbin Reservoir). However, it’s
large size (more than 530 acres) stands in stark contrast to its
shallow depth (most of the pond is less than 10 feet deep).
Quaboag Pond also has the distinction of being one of the few
heavily-used recreational waterbodies in the state that lies
downstream of a wastewater treatment plant discharge. Further,
homes and cottages line portions of its shoreline. Not
surprisingly, the pond has experienced severe “weed” problems in
recent years, which at times make boating and swimming in the pond
virtually impossible. In an effort to better understand and work
towards solving the weed problem, the Massachusetts Watershed
Initiative, in conjunction with the Quaboag/Quacumquasit Lakes
Association, DEP, the town of Spencer, area legislators, and other
partners have formed the Quaboag Pond Watershed Task Force. This
group will gather and analyze past and current water quality data;
determine what additional data needs to be collected; conduct
watershed surveys and public education; assess local
growth-planning and stormwater management efforts and needs; and
explore opportunities for grants and technical assistance. The
overall goal of the Task Force is to develop a research and
management plan for the pond and its watershed. The Task Force is
just forming, and should complete its work by the end of 2003.
Paul J Lyons
Watershed Team Leader Massachusetts Watershed Initiative
P.O. Box 628
Belchertown, MA 01007
413.323.8998
413.323.8639 fax
paul.lyons@state.ma.us
The
phosphorus overloading, raw waste overflows, and consequent
weeding in of Lake Quaboag, its tributary and outflow rivers is a
classic case of explosive exurban real estate development and
inadequate local government oversight in the operation of waste
water treatment and handling.
I have paddled, rowed, fished,
motored and sailed on these waters over a span of 60+ years and
have witnessed their degradation that became most noticeable in
the late 1960’s and again in recent years.
Great praise and encouragement are
due to the Quaboag/Quacumquasit Lake Assn. and to their Chicopee
River Basin team leader. They have suffered enough.
Dan Dick |
