The LKWA Board of Directors is seeking your input to guide our work in protecting and enhancing the Lake Kanasatka watershed. Your feedback is vital to help us better serve the community and lake we all care about.

It’s been another busy year, but the benefits are definitely paying off! LKWA has a robust membership, is in a healthy financial position, and has multiple projects to protect the waters of Lake Kanasatka in play. LKWA’s main focus for 2025 was to continue the watershed work to address poor drainage conditions on several private roads that have led to significant erosion and stormwater runoff. Instrumental to the process was the ongoing efforts of the “Boots on the Ground” team and 2 grant projects which were awarded to LKWA in 2024 and implemented in 2025. These efforts will continue through 2026.

The NH DES 319 Watershed Assistance grant, under the direction of LKWA member and volunteer project manager Scott Wallace, along with a team of LKWA board members met with homeowners on Burton Road and Foster Drive to better understand the lay of the land and identify the location and the degree of erosion and stormwater runoff issues that are impacting that area. After collecting the necessary data, and establishing an open bidding process, the environmental engineering firm of Horsley-Witten (HW) was selected to develop an engineering plan to improve the flow of water on those roadways to keep it from entering the lake. The completed plan was reviewed by the LKWA team and interested homeowners in September 2025. The plan is currently undergoing review by New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES). After plan approval, LKWA will apply for a NHDES Permit by Notification (PBN) and begin the process of hiring a contractor. We anticipate work to begin in the spring. As part of the overall 319 project, HW also evaluated sites at Camp Quinebarge and Bishop Shore Road and made recommendations for LKWA led stormwater reduction work.

The Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) grant was also underway in 2025 to address conditions on Sandy Cove. This project is part of a larger grant awarded to Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance (LWA). Under the auspice of LWA and with support from designated LKWA board members, an evaluation of the Sandy Cove area was completed with input from homeowners. The Horsley-Witten engineering firm met with all parties and is currently at work on a remediation plan for the Sandy Cove area, from Glidden Road down to the shores of Lake Kanasatka.

The following highlights capture the work of LKWA in 2025

• Water quality of Lake Kanasatka continued to be excellent through the summer of 2025, with water quality sampling continuing into October.
• With leadership from LKWA and the University of New Hampshire (UNH), Wakondah Pond began the process of organizing their neighborhood to inform and share best practices around water quality. This includes establishing their own water quality monitoring team as well as promoting LakeSmart and septic inspections.
• The Native Plant Giveaway was a popular incentive for new and renewed LKWA members to add to their shoreline buffers and will continue in 2026 with the financial support of Stephens Landscaping.
• To date, 40 properties on Lake Kanasatka have achieved the LakeSmart Award, a program of NH Lakes.
• An all-day strategic planning session for the board to set new goals rounded out the year. Goals are: stable water quality, community engagement, additional LakeSmart participation in 2026, more timely and transparent communication, internally and externally

2026 is upon us! There have been a few bumps in the road with water quality challenges due to cyanobacteria bloom activity well into the fall. FB Environmental, UNH and NHDES are all involved in examining the data and working to offer LKWA scientific explanations and potential remediation measures.

See details of the November 18 meeting with these partners at https://kanasatka.org/water-quality/nov-2025-water-quality-update/ . There is still so much that each homeowner can do to minimize the addition of unwanted nutrients entering the lake.

Make it part of your New Year’s Resolution to become more active:

• Become a member
• Introduce more native plants to your property
• Have your septic system inspected and/or upgraded
• Work towards becoming LakeSmart certified
• Complete the upcoming survey in early 2026

LKWA is your Association. We need your feedback to tailor our board and committee efforts to meeting your priorities. How do you view the future of the Association? From your perspective, what can our lake community do better? Please speak up!

Be on the look-out for the upcoming survey and/or by contacting lkwacommunications@gmail.com at any time.