Sunshine!

The sun broke through and temperatures are in the 70’s! Enjoy the water!

Massachusetts- Zebra Mussel Continues to Make News

Zebra mussels continue to appear in the news. In July, Massachusetts Fish and Game took emergency action by closing a number of western Mass public access boat ramps for 30 days as well as Quabbin Reservoir and then extending that closing to October 15th for contaminated Laurel Lake. Here’s a cartoon from the 9/3 issue of a local Worcester Telegram FLASH. http://www.telegram.com/article/20090903/FLASH/909030508 The MPA views zebra mussels and other invasives as extremely serious. Back in 2002, the MPA realized the threat of zebra mussels as already in neighboring states. Our public access boat ramp as well as our three on-lake campgrounds means high boat traffic in and out of Manchaug. So in 2002, an MPA board member wrote and submitted a grant to the then DEM Lakes and Ponds Grant Program asking for matching funds to provide a boat wash station with a trained authority on duty at the public ramp to inspect boats coming on to the lake during the summer season. Problem – the state wanted Manchaug to serve as a wash station for all the area lakes. Guess we had a good idea but, for this area it would have meant too much traffic, too small a …

Big Fish – Found Not Caught

Okay. Here’s my disclaimer: the following post may NOT be too pleasing or pretty to all readers! Photos include a skeleton and dead fish up close and personal! … these fish were found by two of my daughters on Manchaug Pond – cause of death unknown. A pickerel I believe – big but not a champion! This skeleton found by my youngest while she explored the old causeway in the spring. Definitely an exciting find for a young scientist! Another daughter brought this bass home in early August. She could not believe the size of it! The gash on the side… do you think a prop got it once it was dead and floating belly up?

MassWildlife Goose Control – Hunting Sept 8th

From MassWildlife:2009 Early Goose Season Dates and Bag Limits Set The early Canada goose hunting season dates are September 8 – September 25, 2009, with hunters allowed a bag limit of 7 birds per day. “Data collected from agency goose banding activities this summer indicate the early goose hunting seasons have kept populations stable in the central and western parts of the state and full bag limits are rarely reached,” commented MassWildlife’s Waterfowl Project Leader H Heusmann. “However, in northeastern and southeastern Massachusetts, where we find our densest goose populations, hunters frequently filled their 5-bird limit. This indicates that the potential to reduce what are often nuisance population levels of resident Canada geese can be increased with a higher bag limit. The early season provides goose hunters with ample hunting and gives more time to landowners to allow hunters to reduce the size of nuisance flocks of resident geese.” Waterfowlers are reminded that state and federal waterfowl stamps are required for hunting waterfowl and that hunting hours begin one half hour before sunrise and end at sunset. http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/hunting/hunting_opportunities.htmhttp://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/hunting/hunting_opportunities.htm

The Unexpected Guest!

Three boats tied together visiting in the middle of the lake on the calm waters of Thursday evening… with an unexpected guest joining them for pretzels, chips and a little drink!

Labor Day Eve – Lighting of the Shoreline!

On Manchaug Pond we have a tradition begun over 35 years ago where we light the shoreline with flares on the eve of July 4th and Labor Day. The practice was suggested at the 1974 MPA Annual Meeting by member Professor Robert Nunnemacher and has been done ever since. This year be sure to join in! Show your solidarity as the MPA continues to promote the welfare and correct use of Manchaug Pond and the watershed! It has been quite a year and united, our members make a difference! Flares should be lit Sunday, Sept. 6th at 8:00 p.m. It is a beautiful sight to see the shoreline a glow. To purchase flares: visit the campground store at Holbrook or call your Area Representative. Flares are sold for cost by the MPA at 2 for $5 or 1 for $3.

MPA Annual Meeting 2009: You! The Membership

This year’s MPA Annual Meeting took place at a location we know well and has been home to many meetings over many decades – the YMCA’s Camp Blanchard. The Dining Hall held the close to 80 attendees (if you count the kitchen crew!) – who came together on a perfect hot summer day to hear the reports and updates outlining the many hours of effort on behalf of the lake and to the benefit of the many who enjoy this resource. After the business meeting, our speaker gave a humorous look at boat safety, passed out the latest copy of the Massachusetts Boater’s Guide, and offered safe vessel checks for all boats on Manchaug during Boat Safety Week 2010. The day ended with a social and luncheon with plenty of delicious food! New MPA logo embroidered t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, visors were available at cost to members and updated maps of lakeshore residents were for the taking. The educational 319 stormwater grant display and brochures were also available for more info. So…Favorites of the day? Definitely #1 would be Paul’s homemade seafood chowder – rave reviews! The price tag for annual herbicide applications for aquatic weed control got a few laughs …

A Peek at the MPA Annual Mtg 2009

Let’s spend the rest of the week taking a look at the topics and favorites of this year’s MPA Annual Mtg …. … I’m writing… tune in later! BETTER YET! What would YOU like me to report on first?