The Need for Lake Management

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Lake Management GroupPresentation to the
Shareholders
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Why the Formation of the Lake Management Group
(LMG)?

• The future of many of Massachusetts lakes is at
  stake. Aquatic nuisance species, pollution,
  shoreline and watershed development and storm
  water issues threaten the health of our lakes.
• Hickory Hills remains one of the healthiest lakes
  in the Commonwealth, due in large part to our
  continued commitment to lake management.
• It is critical that citizens become involved and
  take an active role in improving the health of
  their lakes and protecting this valuable resource.

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The Need for Lake Management
The Board of Directors have taken a proactive
approach to responsible lake management, and
along with many dedicated volunteers have long
been successfully managing the lake environment.

• Biological surveys of the lake have been
  conducted periodically since 1993.
• Water quality testing is conducted weekly during
  the summer months.
• A harvester is used for aquatic vegetation
  management on the main lake
• Chemical treatments have been applied to Little
  Hickory
• Dedicated volunteers manage/remove loosestrife
  and other nuisance vegetation

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Every Lake has a Lifecycle

• As a lake matures, leaves, weeds, and other
  organic matter decay and settle to the bottom,
  creating a fertile environment for more plants to
  take root and grow, die and decay
• Over time, the bed of the lake rises enough to
  support marsh species, creating wetlands
• Wetlands fill in to become grasslands and meadows
• Grasslands become forests

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Some factors can speed up the Aging Process

• Storm waters wash fertilizers, silt and debris
  into the lake
• Upstream human and animal activity can erode the
  watershed and bring even more silt and debris
  into the lake
• Equipment and boats that have been in other
  waters can carry invasive weeds, mussels and algae

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• In January of 2009, recognizing that a focused,
  comprehensive effort would serve the lake well,
  the Board approved formation of a Lake Management
  Group.
• The group was chartered to evaluate all aspects
  of our lake environment and to identify issues
  that may now or in future affect the natural
  health of the lake. This group consists of
  dedicated lake residents from various areas of
  Hickory Hills.

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HHL LMGs Mandate

• Evaluate the quality of the lake ecosystem and
  identify potential issues
• Research options to address issues
• Recommend best courses of action to the Board
• Provide timely, in-depth information

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Issues Identified to Date

• Silting/ Sedimentation
• Aquatic Vegetation
• Storm Water
• Erosion

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Specific areas of note
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Silting/sedimentation Island Road/Mulpus Inlet
Cove
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Inlet Flow Monitoring
Recent buildup of sediment and debris
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Aquatic VegetationManagement
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Main Lake Survey
B-Watershield Pa-Largeleaf pondweed Pe-Ribbon-leaf
pondweed Pn-Floating-leaf pondweed Pr-Robbins
pondweed P-Mermaid Weed Ny-White
Waterlily U-Bladderwort V-tapegrass S-Submersed
Arrowhead
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Little Hickory Survey
B-Watershield Pa-Largeleaf pondweed (Gray
area 40-60 Cover) Pe-Ribbon-leaf
pondweed T-Cattails P-Common Reed
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Bladderwort

• Recently an increase in the amount of
  Bladderwort has been noted.

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• Bladderwort is not new to the lake has been
  noted in previous survey reports and identified
  as a dominant species
• Over 200 species of bladderwort, 13 in
  Massachusetts species currently in lake are
  native
• varies in abundance from year to year based on
  numerous environmental factors such as water
  clarity, water temperature, water level and other
  climatic patterns and conditions

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• Density this year not necessarily indicative of
  density next year
• Bladderwort propagates from year to year
  primarily by dropping Winter Buds. It can also
  spread by tubers or fragments and by seed,
  although these are not the primary means of
  reproduction.
• LMG and Board of Directors will continue to
  monitor. Mitigation measures will be explored
  and implemented as necessary.

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Storm Water

• Subcommittee is investigating potential storm
  water issues
• 41 storm water structures in Hickory Hills, 23
  identified as potential issues

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Storm Water Structures HH Area
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Erosion Sedimentation
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Existing Management Techniques to be Continued

• Planned Management
• Water Quality Testing
• Vegetation Survey every 2 years
• Harvesting
• Aquatic Management Main Lake Little Hickory

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Management Techniques for Further Exploration

• Hydro raking
• Erosion Control Measures
• Benthic Barriers
• Storm water Management

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Hydro Raking

• Mechanical raking (Hydro-Raking) is a widely used
  and effective technique for area selective
  removal of nuisance, rooted vegetation.
• In some situations the Hydro-Rake is also used to
  clear accumulations of unconsolidated bottom
  debris (i.e. decaying leaves, peat, muck).
• The Hydro-Rake can best be described as a
  floating barge upon which is mounted a backhoe
  with several different size and functioning rake
  attachments.

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• If approved by the Board of Directors, the Hydro
  Rake would be utilized at various locations on
  the main lake and perhaps at Little Hickory.The
  possibility of allowing individual homeowners to
  contract with the vendor for individual beach
  clean up is being explored.

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• Hydro Raking Advantages
• Operating range in water depths of lt1 feet to 12
  feet
• Removes plants and roots systems
• One Hydro-Raking typically provides seasonal to
  1-3 years or longer of nuisance plant control
• Clearing of selective areas including beaches,
  boating/fishing lanes, etc.
• No chemical introduction or water use
  restrictions
• Minimal disturbance to shoreline landscapes

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Erosion Control Techniques

• Rip Rap Stones
• Silt Sacks
• Vegetative Cover

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Silt Sack Section View
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Benthic Barriers

• Benthic barriers, also known as benthic mats or
  bottom screens, are mats that are installed on
  the bottom of a lake to inhibit the growth of
  invasive aquatic plants.
• Barriers consist of dark, light blocking fabric
  that is held at the bottom of the lake by
  weights. The benthic screen limits light to the
  bottom of the lake, thus helping to preclude the
  growth of aquatic vegetation.

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Before Pictures
Lake HollandBelchertown, MATaken October 8, 2007
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After Pictures
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Storm Water

• One of the greatest threats to the quality of
• water in our lakes and ponds and the health of
  the aquatic environment is storm water
  pollution.
• Storm water can carry a variety of contaminants
• that may degrade the receiving waterbody
• including nutrients, sediments, bacteria,
  metals,
• toxic substances, trash, and warmer water with
• low dissolved oxygen.
• Massachusetts Lake and Pond Guide

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• Over the next several months, the Storm Water
  Sub-Committee will
• Investigate storm water issues and structures in
  the Hickory Hills area
• Identify possible problems
• Research possible mitigation techniques
• Make recommendations to the LMG the Board of
  Directors

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• Hickory Hills is one of the few remaining water
  bodies in Massachusetts that does not have
  invasive species. Through diligence,
  preventive management and education we can keep
  it that way!

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LMG Budget Proposal

• The LMG has suggested a budget of an average of
  12,000/yr over the next five years.
• These funds, contingent upon the approval of the
  Board of Directors, will be utilized for numerous
  lake management activities.

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Valuable Information/Lessons from other Lakes in
the Commonwealth
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Morses Pond, Wellesley
A shallow man made lake that covers approximately
105 acres, mostly in the Town of Wellesley with a
small portion in the Town of Natick. Since at
least the early 1970s the pond has exhibited
symptoms of over fertilization including
recurrent algal blooms, reduced transparency, and
dense aquatic vegetation growths that have
impaired recreational water uses and important
aesthetic and wildlife habitat functions. The
2005 Comprehensive Management Plan for Morses
Pond recommended a budget of 2.3 million to be
expended over a five year period.
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Fawn Lake, Bedford, MA

• Fawn Lake is a 12-acre, man-made recreational
  lake experiencing deteriorating water quality and
  decreased recreation use caused by nuisance
  aquatic vegetation. The management technique
  chosen was a combination of hydro raking and
  chemical treatment at a cost of 100,000 for 8
  acres. It should be noted that both treatments
  will likely need to be repeated periodically.

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Poontosuc Lake, Pittsfield, MA

• Poontosuc Lake is a 480 acre great pond.
  Principally, the lakes problems are heavy
  infestations of exotic weeds, most notably
  Curly-leaved Pondweed and Eurasian Water Milfoil
  and high concentrations of pollutant loading from
  storm water runoff. Many treatment alternatives
  are being evaluated including (but not limited
  to) herbicide treatment, hand pulling,
  harvesting, benthic barriers draw down. The
  cost of herbicide treatment alone is over 46,000.

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• Potential threats in Massachusetts

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Zebra Mussels

• The mussels can attach themselves to all types of
  living and nonliving surfaces
• Once present in a water body, almost impossible
  to eradicate
• Mussels choke out other animals and vegetation
• Boats that have been in infested waters must be
  thoroughly disinfected by
• Draining, flushing, cleaning drying the boat
• Clean with bleach and high pressure water
• Boat must dry for at least one week in dry
  weather and up to 30 days in cool wet weather

Recently found in Laurel Lake in Massachusetts
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Invasive Aquatic Plants
Eurasian Milfoil
Water Chestnut
Fanwort
There are numerous invasive aquatic plants
currently in Massachusetts, preventing them from
entering the lake is critical!
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Purple Loosestrife
Although beautiful, this invasive plant can take
over a wetland and choke out natural
vegetation.Thanks to the Loosestrife
Vigilantes many infestations of Loosestrife have
been removed by hand pulling. You can help!
Contact the LMG or the office for Information on
removing loosestrife from your shoreline.
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Public Education

• Public education and outreach is critical to
  the success of any Lake Management Plan. The
  LMG will continue to publish valuable information
  in the Waves, distribute literature and hold fun
  and educational events. Weed Classes provided
  by the Department of Conservation and Recreation
  will continue to be offered.
• Visit the Hickory Hills website for more
  information on the LMGs research.
  www.Hickoryhillslake.com
• We encourage your active participation!

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Lake Management Members
Mario Andella Phyllis Andella Emily
Arulpragasam Jega Arulpragasam Melvin (Tom)
Bertram Paula Bertram Jack Biery Jeannette
Biery Dana Dudley Suzanna Dudley Peggy
Gorman Charlie Kimball Paul Lawn Jim
LeBlanc Betty MacDonald Dave MacDonald
Fred Malcomb Linda Malcomb Charles
Martinec Joanne Martinec Mike Nault Bob
Novacek Stephanie Novacek Diane Nowd Tommy
Nowd Kathy Oliver Mario Pattacchiola Jean
Pearson Ron Pearson Bernadette Progin Eileen
Ramsden Kerry Sullivan
Interested in Joining? Contact Betty MacDonald
davebettymacdonald_at_comcast.net 978 582-7474
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