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2021 Lake News and Guide
LaketroutcaughtbyHeatherChamberlinoffofPinePointthiswinterusingajigand4poundline.Heatherreturnedthetrouttoitshomeinthelakeshortlyafterthispicturewastaken.Shegrewup?ishingonMerrymeetingwithherdad,butithasbeen15yearssinceshe?ishedhere.Whatareunionwiththelake!
The mission of the Merrymeeting Lake Association (MMLA) is to help preserve
and protect the beauty, quality, integrity, and value of Merrymeeting Lake
and its surrounding watershed for future generations. The organization
exists for the betterment of the lake and for the enjoyment of its inhabitants.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OfficersPresident – Laurie Smith
Vice President – Pat ChiumientoSecretary – Brenda Mullaney
Treasurer – Mark Sullivan
DirectorsJan Allard Jeff AllardNancy Bryant Jim ButtafuocoJohn Chapin Jeff ChiumientoLisa Keslar Daniel Leach Bruce Long Chap NystedtDavid Roy Jen Seusing Richard Waldbauer Russ Weldon
2021 ANNUAL MEETING Saturday, July 10 via ZOOM
Please attend! Involved members - like you - are the key to a strong, successful
MMLA.
Not a member yet? To join, you can remit the form included with the brochure sent in May along with a check, or, pay your
dues online at www.mmlake.org.
MMLAPO Box 468
New Durham, NH 03855
www.mmlake.org
Message from the President
What a year! Although 2020 was a year of significant challenges, it was also a year of significant accomplishments made possible by the incredible generosity of our community. Thanks to your enthusiastic support for the “Keep Merrymeeting Clean” campaign, 1,143 additional acres are now in conservation with the successful expansion of the Birch Ridge Community Forest and protection of Mount Molly. These lands for enjoyment of hiking and recreation are now permanently a gift for future generations to enjoy!
Conserving the land in the watershed around our lake is the most important action we can engage in to protect the pristine water quality that makes our lake life so special. With unwavering support from our members, strengthened by our partnerships with the Southeast Land Trust of NH (SELT) and Moose Mountains Regional Greenways (MMRG), in
the last three years we have taken a big step forward by increasing the conserved land in our watershed from 4.4% to 29%.
We work hard for the health of the lake, but we also like to play! Our Preserve and Protect Committee spends significant hours planning fun and safe activities for your enjoyment. Last summer, residents around the lake gave a resounding thumbs up to the boat parade, with delighted spectators along the shore cheering, clapping, and waving at the creatively decorated boats cruising by. Our first ever “Music on the Lake” highlighted an evening of talented performers at various locations all enjoyed by boaters on the water. Both events will be reprised this year, as well as a family picnic with children’s activities. And, although summer is the most active season, life at the lake doesn’t stop when the cold weather sets in. This winter we partnered with SELT and the Powdermill Snowmobile Club to participate in a successful event at the Birch Ridge Community Forest cabin.
What’s next? We will remain focused on future conservation opportunities and continue to plan fun and educational events to inspire lake-friendly living. Please support the MMLA by joining as a member and participating in these great activities!
Here’s to a wonderful summer!
With appreciation, Laurie Smith President, MMLA
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protecting the beauty and quality of merrymeeting lake mmlake.org page 3
WhowouldhavethoughttheBirchRidgeCommunityForest(BRCF),therecentlydonatedCollinspropertyandDevilsDenwouldhavesuchapositiveeffectonpeople'slivesinthemidstofaglobalpandemic!
ThepropertyoriginallyintendedtopreservewaterqualityandwildlifehasturnedintoasanctuaryformanypeoplelivinginNewDurhamandthesurroundingcommunitiesthispastwinter.ThesebeautifulpropertieshavehelpedpeoplearoundMerrymeetingLakemanageboththeirphysicalandmentalhealthinthisverydif?icultpandemicyear.Thelandandtrails,managedbySoutheastLandTrust(SELT),hasbeengrowingeveryyearandwillexceed3,500acresaroundMerrymeetingLakethisyear.
Groupshavebeenhiking,snowshoeing,andcrosscountryskiingeverydayandsometimestwicedailyontheland.Onehikinggroupboastshavinghikedupeverymountainaroundthelake,exploringMountMolly,MountEleanor,MountJessie,MountBet,Caverly,Rattlesnake,CoppleCrown,andtheMooseMountains.SELThasbeenactivelydevelopingnewtrailsandmarkingexistingtrails,withmoreplannedforcompletionthisspringandsummer.
NewBRCFparkinglotsonMerrymeetingRoadandatthetopofBirchHillRoad,aswellasaparkingareaatthebeginningofNorthShoreRoadtoDevilsDenprovideaccesstomanytrailsandmountaintops.BeautifulviewsofMerrymeetingLakefrombothEleanorandMolly,andaspectacularviewofWinnipesaukeefromthetopofCaverlyarethehiker’sreward.
Weareveryfortunatetohavethislandtohikeandbikethissummer.Hopefullyyou’llmarkyourcalendartotakeahikewithyourfriendsandfamilytoenjoytheseamazingresourcesthatmanyinourcommunityhavedonatedtoandworkedhardtopreserve.
ConservationLandTurnsintoSalvationforManyPeople
ToDownloadaPDFoftheBirchRidgeCommunityForestTrailMap,visittheSELTWebsiteat:
https://seltnh.org/seltlands/birchridge
Please join us for the Annual Merrymeeting Lake Community Roadside Cleanup!
page 4 merrymeeting lake association summer 2021
Enjoythebeautifulweather,greetneighbors,andparticipateinthelakecommunityannualroadsidecleanuponSunday,May30at9:00AM(MemorialDayWeekend).Foreveryone’swell-being,wewon’tgathertogetherbutwillpracticesocialdistancingwhilehavingfunandprotectingourlakeenvironmentforalltoenjoy!Pleasebringyourowntrashbagsandglovesforthesafecollectionoftrashandrecyclables,andencourageyourfamily,friends,andneighborstoparticipate.Iftheroadnearyourhomeisnotinneedofattention,wewelcomevolunteerstocoverportionsofMerrymeetingRoadfromBrackettRoadtothemarina.CheckouttheMerrymeetingLakeFacebookPagetoseeotherareasthatarebeingcovered,asit’supdatedfrequentlybyenthusiasticparticipants.Pleasetakesomefun
(orserious)[email protected]!Let’scleanupourroadsideandprotectthelakeenvironmentforalltoenjoy!
CLF Litigation Against Powder Mill Fish Hatchery
TheMMLABoardofDirectorscontinuestofollowtheprogressofthePowderMillFishHatcherylitigationinConcord,NHfederalcourtbroughtbytheConservationLawFoundation(CLF)againsttheNHFishandGameDepartment.TheCLF’slawsuitallegesthatthestate-ownedPowderMillFishHatcheryhasviolatedtheCleanWaterActbydumpingpollutedwastewaterintotheMerrymeetingRiverfordecades.Thewastewater,comprisedof?ishfoodand?ishwaste,containshighlevelsofphosphoruswhichhasbeenidenti?iedastheprimarycauseoftheblue-greenalgalbloomsoccurringintheriver.AsummaryofthepresentstatusofthiscasehasbeenpostedontheMMLAwebsite.
Pesticide Application Around Merrymeeting Lake
TheMerrymeetingLakeAssociationwouldliketoprovideinformationrelatingtotheapplicationofpesticidesforinsectcontrolbyresidentialpropertyowners,privateapplicators,andcommercialapplicators.NHlawprohibitstheapplicationofpesticideswithin50feetofthenaturalmeanhighwaterlevel("referenceline")aroundMerrymeetingLake.NHregulationalsoimposesonallpesticideapplicatorstheresponsibilitytopreventdriftoroffsitemovementofpesticidesintothewaterfrontbuffer.Exceptionstothe50-footdistancerequirementmaybeavailableonlythroughspecialpermit.Ifyouusepesticides,pleasedososparinglyandinaccordancewithNHlaw.Formoreinformation,pleasecontacttheNHDeptofAgriculture,Markets&Food(DivisionofPesticideControl)athttps://www.agriculture.nh.gov/divisions/pesticide-control/index.htm,orat(603)271-3695.
Notes from the MMLA
2021 Marina FIREWORKS!! FireworkswillbeheldonJuly3rd,August7th,andSeptember4th.ThisyeareachFireworksshowwillalsofeatureamusicevent!AllshowsaresponsoredbytheMerrymeetingMarina.Monetarydonationsforthe?ireworkswillbeacceptedandmatchedbytheMerrymeetingMarina.
IMPORTANT NOTE: LAKE DRAWDOWN FALL 2021
Thedrawdownofthelakeisscheduledforthisfall.Ifyouareplanningtodoshorelinework,don’tforgettoapplyforaDESpermitsoon!
PRESERVE AND PROTECT COMMITTEE SUMMER EVENTS
protecting the beauty and quality of merrymeeting lake mmlake.org page 5
TheMMLAPreserveandProtectCommitteecontinuestobringprograms,information,andeventstothelakecommunityaimedatpreservingthebeautyofthewatershed,maintainingtheexceptionalwaterquality,andencouragingenjoymentofthelakeandallithastooffer.BecauseoftheCOVIDpandemicweremainuncertainaboutindoorevents,evenwiththeavailabilityofvaccines.So,onceagainweareplanningeventsthatkeepourcommunitysafebutstillallowustogetoutdoorsandenjoynotjusttheincrediblescenery,butthecompanyofourneighborsandfriends.
WewillonceagainbeholdingaBoatParadeonJuly17(raindateJuly18)at4:00PM.Thethemeforthisyearwillbe“CelebrateSummer”,whichisopentoyourinterpretationbutit’sagoodexcusetodecoratetheboatwith?lags,lightsanddecorations.Youknowyouwantto!Werespectfullyrequestthatnopoliticalstatementsorthemesbepresented.WewillmeetattheareanearthedamandNancyBryantwillleadtheparadeonatwo-hourtourofthelake.Ifyoucannotparticipate,pleasecheerusonfromyourwaterfront.
WealsoplantorepriseMusicontheLakeonJuly31(raindateAugust1)from5:00to8:00PM.Westartedthiseventlastyearanditturnedintoaninstantfavorite!Wewillbeseekingmusicalactstoperformaroundthelake,sopleasecontactJenSeusingifyouwouldbewillingtoperform,ortoproviderecordedmusiconyourdock([email protected]).Rememberthatwhilesounddoescarryacrossthewater,youwillneedampli?icationtobroadcasteffectivelywithboatsgatheredaround.
Weareplanninganeweventthisyearforadultsandchildren.PicnicattheCabinwilltakeplaceat12:00NoononAugust21(raindateAugust22)attheBirchRidgeCommunityForest(BRCF)Cabin.ThecabiniseasilyaccessedfromthenewBRCFparkinglotattheendofBirchHillRoad,orviaalongerhikefromtheBRCFparkinglotonMerrymeetingRoad.Pleasebringyourownpicnic(BYOP)andfollowthe“LeaveNoTrace”principleto“CarryInandCarryOut”.Wewillalsofeaturespecialchildren’soutdooractivitiesatthisevent.
Pleasejoinus,yourfriends,andyourneighborsinenjoyingtimetogethersafelyoutdoors.WeexpectthatnextyearwillbringareturntonormalcyandthePreserveandProtectCommitteewillfocusagainonevents/presentationsrelatedtoprotectingthismostvaluedresource.Inthemeantime,let’shavesomefunonandaroundourspeciallake.
GClefbyDixie52CC-BY-SA
Photo by Matt Murphy
Please support your local businesses - they support us!
page 6 merrymeeting lake association summer 2021
Barge Services • Beaches • Boat HousesBreakwaters • Dock Watch • Seasonal Services
PLAN AHEAD. PERMITS TAKE TIME!
NEW HAMPSHIRE’S LEADING FULL-SERVICE DOCK BUILDER
& MARINE CONTRACTOR
DESIGN • PERMIT • CONSTRUCT
Y!r dream waterfr"t starts hereNH Lakes Region • 603.293.4000 • watermarkmarine.com
protecting the beauty and quality of merrymeeting lake mmlake.org page 7
mml eats & treats
AVAILABLE FOR BIRTHDAYS, FAMILY REUNIONS AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS
“Wave us over for an on the water treat from Merrymeeting Lake Eats & Treats”
mml eats & treats
Marina Roy(603) [email protected]
Follow us on Social Media!
Please support your local businesses - they support us!
page 8 merrymeeting lake association summer 2021
Daniel Leach Shares Lake Memories of Family and Friends
Thanksmaanddad.In1958GlennandMaryLeachsaved$2000whichwasenoughtobuyalotonalakeandbuildasummercottage.AfriendoftheirsfoundthemabeautifullotinAltononthebiglake.Theypassedonitbecausetheywouldhavehadtosaveforanothercoupleofyearstogetenoughmoneytobuild.HowardNorthridgeonSouthShoreRdtoldthemaboutMerrymeetingLake.In1958theybought110feetoffrontage,lotnumber78,fromRalphandMaryRichardsonownersofthemarinaandmanylotsonthelake.Thislotwasonaverysteephillandacrossfromthespring(whicholdtimerswillremember)butwhataviewithad.In1959theyrentedacampon30SouthShoreRoadforamonthsotheycouldstartbuilding.
Theydidnothavethemoneytogetridthelargegraniteboulderssotheybuiltoverthemoraroundthem.Theyputthecampclosertothestreetbecause,asGlennoftensaid,youbringalotofthingstothecampbutyouonlybringtowels,tubes,andbeerdownthe63stepstothelake.MyfamilybecameclosefriendswiththeThorntons,Dufors,Fitzpatricks,Northridges,andPitmanshereonMerrymeetingLake.In1960thegroupdecidedtohavea4thofJulyclambakeonSouthShoreRdatwhatisnowthehomeofBobbyandNoreenNorthridge.Fora9yearoldIrememberhowmuchfunitwaswatchingthe?irepitbeingbuiltaswegatheredrocksandwoodforthe?ire.Themostfunwasgoingtogettheseaweedatthebeachanddiggingtheclams,somethingwedidformanyyearsafterwards.Atleast100peopleattended.
WhenIbecameateenagerthereweresometimesIwantedtobeinManchesterwithmyfriendsbutIrealizedIhadmanyfriendsatthelakethatIlikedmore.EvennowIthinkaboutthemanypeoplelikeBob,Chap,Bev,Barb,Cheryl,andBrianwhowerejustsomeofthemanypeoplethatwouldgotothesnackbarorIrwinGardenattheWeirs.WealsowenttotheMountMajorStoretotrytobuybeer.Someofthesepeoplearestillaroundthelake.Wenolongerwaterskibutstillgoswimming.WestillhikeupMountMajororDevil’sDen,butde?initelyslower!MylatewifeSusanandI,andourdoggieKennedy,usedtolikeslowlyboatingaroundthelakeandnoticingthenewplaces.NowmynewdogDeweyandoldfriendCheryl,aformerresidentofMeadersPointRoadandteenwaitressatTaylor’sSnackBar,nowslowlyridearoundthelakelookingatbiggerhousesandI’malwayssayingtomyself,“thanksmaanddad!”.
Lake Host Program Continues to Prove Its Worth
Cleanwater,happywildlife,andstablepropertyvaluesdependonahealthylake,freeofinvasivespecies.TheNHLAKESLakeHostProgramisthe?irstlineofdefenseinkeepingourlakesfreeofinvasiveplantsandanimals.
Throughthisnationally-recognizedaquaticinvasivespecieseducationandpreventionprogram,eachsummerhundredsofindividualstrainedasLakeHostsinspectboats,trailers,andgearforhitchhikingplantsandanimals.Theyteachthousandsofboaterseachyearabout“Clean,Drain&Dry”methodforaquaticinvasivespeciesprevention.
Since2002,NewHampshireLakeHostshaveconductedoverone-millioncourtesyboatinspectionsandhavemadenearly1,600‘saves’ofinvasivespeciesthathadjusthitchhikedoutofalakeorwereabouttobelaunchedintoalake.Thenumberofadditional‘saves’LakeHostshavecontributedtobyinspiringboaterstoalwaysClean,Drain,&Drytheirboattrailerandgear,evenwhenaLakeHostisn’tatthelaunchtohelp,isimmeasurable!
StartingMid-MaytheMerrymeetingboatlaunchwilltypicallybemanned7AMto5PMduringtheweekand7AMto7PMonweekends.
Thankyoutoourmembersforyoursupportofthisimportantprogram.
“Fireworks” an Opinion Piece
BUTSOMETHINGJUSTDOESN'TMAKESENSEHERE...
Ourconservationeffortsarehugelysuccessfulandmorelandisinthepipeline.WearewellonourwaytoprotectingthewaterqualityofMerrymeetingLakeforever.Thankyouallforyourhelp,support,anddonations.Ithastrulybeenateameffort.BUTthereissomethingthatweneedtoaddressthatisoutsideoftheconservationefforts,somethingthatispollutingourlake,butiswithinOURcontroltostop.
WHATGOESUPMUSTCOMEDOWN.When?ireworksarelaunchedlakeside,paperandchemicalsarebeingdroppeddirectlyintothelake.Fireworkscontainammoniumperchlorate,sulfurdioxide,leadnitrate,leadchloride,andcopper—whichpolluteboththelakeandourgroundwater.Thesechemicalscanincreasealgaeandcyanobacterialbloomsonthewatersurfaceandcancauseharmtopeople,pets,loons,andotherwildlife.
Isthereawaytoenjoya?ireworksshowANDprotecttheLake?Ithinkthereis...
Itisrecommendedthat?ireworksbelaunchedatleast250feetbackfromthelakeandoutsideofthedesignatedshorelineprotectionarea.Thisisnoteasytodoatmosthomes.Weareplanningtohavethree?ireworksshowsthisyearonJuly3,August7,andSeptember4.WecanconcentrateallourmoniesonshowslaunchedattheMarina,500feetawayfromthelake.
WeneedtogetthewordouttoeveryonearoundthelakethatwehaveaplantoconsolidateourmoneyandeffortstoCELEBRATEWITHOUTPOLLUTINGOURLAKE.Ifyourent,pleaseletrenters/guestsknowyoudon'tallowuseof?ireworks.Reachouttoyourneighborsandfamilymemberswholiketolaunch?ireworksandaskthemtopleasecontactusattheMarinaaboutdonating?ireworksormoneytoholdthree?ireworksshowsthatarelakefriendly.Bestofall,theMarinawillmatchallcontributionsdollarfordollar.Ifwereceivethesupportweanticipate,weplantohavedifferentlivemusicateachofthethreeeventstoenjoyonyourboatwhilesocialdistancing.Pleasehelpusbypassingthewordtoyourneighborswholove?ireworks,andaskfortheirsupportinhelpinguscelebratesafelywhilekeepingourwaterthecleanestinNH!
AllenWeldon.MerrymeetingMarina
protecting the beauty and quality of merrymeeting lake mmlake.org page 9
page 10 merrymeeting lake association summer 2021
Phyllis I. (McAskill) Nadeau, 91, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on April 3, 2021. She had a natural ability to listen, respond lovingly, and inspire quietly. She nurtured and supported the needs of a large and diverse family. Her commitment and dedication have left an indelible mark on each member of her immediate and extended family. As Phyllis' family grew, she welcomed each new addition, guided by the same principles she had with her own children, cherishing their unique qualities, while helping them to understand they are an important part of the family. Her family is eternally grateful for her wisdom and love. Phyllis will be remembered lovingly by her family and close friends for her genuinely warm and selfless nature. She was fully present when you were in her company. After 82 days of being apart, Phyllis was reunited with her late husband, Norman.
Norman and Phyllis are deeply missed by their children and their families; Kathleen Nadeau, John (Jack) Nadeau and his wife, Stephanie, Kenneth Nadeau and his wife, Diane, Gerard (Gerry) Nadeau and his wife Brenda, Gary Nadeau and his wife Theresa (Terri) of New Durham, Marcia Nadeau of New Durham, Maryanne (Nadeau) Ham and her husband Dana, and Joseph Nadeau and his wife Holly. They cherished their 14 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Her complete obituary is at: https://obituaries.salemnews.com/obituary/phyllis-nadeau-1081949479/
Norman Nadeau, 93, died at his home after a brief illness on January 11, 2021. He was the love of Phyllis’ life and best friend. They celebrated their 69th Wedding Anniversary last July. During their marriage, the couple raised their 8 children in Salem, MA. When their children were young, they built a camp on Merrymeeting Lake together and upon retirement renovated the camp where the family had summered, splitting their time between homes in New Durham, NH and Islamorada, FL. They enjoyed traveling throughout North America and Canada in their Airstream.
Norman was an outdoorsman and a self-taught hobbyist, carving and creating artful pieces with the recurring theme of wildlife. He was an avid fly fisherman, former hunter, bird/waterfowl watcher, and
conservationist. He was a quiet philanthropist who led by example. He will be remembered lovingly by his family and close friends for his quiet, yet strong moral compass. He leaves a legacy of integrity, where actions spoke louder than words, doing the "right thing" was a way of life, acceptance of all, unspoken sacrifice and patience were naturally balanced by a quick wit and a great sense of humor. His complete obituary is at: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?n=norman-nadeau&pid=197537048&fhid=4151
Elizabeth Mary Allard of 363 South Shore Road passed away on December 11, 2020 after a long illness. Liz was born in Victory, Vermont – a town so small that the Main Street remains a dirt road today. She grew up in Littleton, New Hampshire where she graduated from High School in 1973. She was married in 1975 to her husband Jeff, and after many moves to places from Idaho to Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York, they realized their dream and settled in New Durham permanently in 2008. She worked as an accountant and a realtor for many years.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband, Jeff, of 45 years, her daughter Crystal who lives with her husband, John and two children Clara and Elsie in Baltimore, MD, and her son Paul who lives with his wife Loren and
their daughter Grace in Bethlehem, NH. She also leaves two sisters, Dot of Lunenburg, VT, and Connie of Littleton, NH.
Liz was a quiet and thoughtful person who loved her family, especially her granddaughters. She was a kind and loving woman and to know her was to love her. She was the glue and provided the support that allowed her family to face each day and succeed. She left us too young and will be remembered for her gentle love and kindness.
In Remembrance
Photo by Allan & Janet Thorell
protecting the beauty and quality of merrymeeting lake mmlake.org page 11
Photo by Allan & Janet Thorell
WealllovegettingoutonMerrymeetingLakewithourwatercrafttoenjoywatersports,?ishingorarelaxingdayoreveningcruise.Motorizedboatscan,however,haveasigni?icantimpactontheenvironmentalhealthoflakes.Itisestimatedthatforevery100gallonsofboatandjetskifuelexpended,about20gallonsgoesdirectlyintothewaterasrawfuel(VermontAgencyofNaturalResources,1999).Thetwo-cycleenginesemployedonpersonalwatercrafthavethelargestpercentofunburnedfuelpassingthroughtheengineandintothewater.Two-cycleoutboardenginesarealsoveryinef?icient.
Tipsforboaterandjetskierstoreducepollution:●Considerusingnewerenginesthathavedirectfuelinjection,catalyticconverters,andotherpollution-controlmeasures.●Refrainfromrunningattopspeed,whichexpendsmorefuel.●Limitboatinginshallowareaswhereboatscandisturbbottomsedimentsandtearupandspreadaquaticvegetation.●Re-fuelcarefullytopreventspills.●Keepenginesingoodrepair.
Let’sdowhatwecantohelp“KeepMerrymeetingLakeClean”.
Somesourcesoffurtherinformation:• SocialresponsibilityfromthePersonalWatercraftIndustryAssociation:https://www.sea-doo.com/us/en/owner-zone/
safety/social-responsibility.html
Localandregionalguidance:• https://nhlakes.org/wp-content/uploads/13-Lake-Friendly-Recreation-Lake-Friendly-Boating-NH-LAKES.pdf• https://www.mass.gov/?iles/documents/2016/08/qb/pwc-mgt-guide_0.pdf
Reference
VermontAgencyofNaturalResources(1999,Jan19).ReportonPossibleWaterPollutionfromtheUseofTwo-StrokeCarburetedEngines.https://anrweb.vt.gov/PubDocs/DEC/WSMD/lakes/docs/lp_2-strokereport.pdf
Tips for Boaters and Jet Skiers
Report Released by NH Commission to Study Wake Boats
Wakeboardingandwakesur?ing(ridingthewakewithoutatowrope)bothrequireahighboatwake,oftenachievedbypumpinglakewaterintobuilt-incompartmentsorballastbagsonaninboardboat.Whilethesewatersportscanbefun,theycanpotentiallycauseecologicalharmtolakes.
A“CommissiontoStudyWakeBoats”,authorizedbytheNHLegislature,metseveraltimesin2019and2020andissueda?inalreportdatedJune30,2020.TheCommissionidenti?iedsomeofthegoodeffects(versatilerecreationalenjoymentandtourismdollars)andbadeffects(highwavesandpotentialtransportofaquaticinvasivespeciesthroughballastwater)ofwakeboats.Highwavescanposerisksforswimmers,otherboats,andwildlifesuchasloons.Highwavescanalsocauseerosiontovulnerableshorelines,leadingtolandlossforpropertyownersandaddingsiltandnutrientstoalake.Siltcanharm?ishandnutrientscanincreaseaquaticvegetationandalgalgrowth.
TheCommissionrecommendedsafetylegislationforwakesurfersbutcouldnotcometoaconsensusonrecommendingnewlawsspeci?ictowakeboats.Instead,theCommissionemphasizedtheneedforwakeboatereducationspeci?icallyonthefollowingtwoareas:
1) Clean,drainanddryproceduresshouldbefollowedsothatballastwaterpotentiallycontainingaquaticinvasivespeciesisnevertransportedfromlaketolake.
2) Whengeneratinghighwaves,wakeboatsshouldkeepasfarawayfromtheshorelineaspossible(ataminimumof150-feetsafepassage),givingtimefortheirwavestodissipatebeforecomingtoshore.
AlinktotheCommission’sfullreportcanbefoundontheMMLAwebsite.
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Adapting to Covid-19 by Allen Weldon
Last summer we were in the middle of the pandemic, but trust that this season we will be on our way to a return to normalization-- or at least to the "new normal”. Although it may be fall by the time most of us are vaccinated, the numbers are promising.
In preparation for a safe summer, we’ve done some remodeling and improvements at the Marina to enable us to bring back ice cream. Take-out windows now grace the front of the store where the entrance was previously located, with a new all accessible entrance now on the side of the building.
We will be offering hard and soft serve ice cream, sodas, bottled water, slushies, milk shakes, sundaes, chips, and candy bars. Food will be sold through our new takeout windows only, and additional outdoor seating areas are being added with social distancing in mind.
Inside the marina, we will be open for watercraft related business, including boat repairs, boat sales, boat storage, moorings, and other general business. No food will be offered inside the building. Our restroom has been remodeled and we’ve added a new ramp to make it accessible for everyone. We hope that these changes will make the "new normal" safer for our customers and our employees.
We look forward to serving you again this summer, and thank you for your loyalty, your business, and your support!
Merrymeeting Marina Update 2021
Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day
Friday - Sunday 9 a.m to 6 p.m.
Other Weekdays All Summer
Monday - Thursday
Gas available (just ask an employee for assistance)
Monday, October 11th
Last call for boats
Monday, November 2nd
Snow mobile repair begins
HOURS OF OPERATION
