Monthly Articles About

Our Beautiful Queen Lake in Phillipston

by Queen Lake Assoc. Board of Director, Claire Adomaitis

Article 22

 The Annual Queen Lake Draw Down began just after October 1, 2011.  Boards had been taken out during Hurricane Irene but had been replaced until the draw down started.  The draw down will continue till sometime in January when the Dam committee decides it is time to start refilling again.

 Did you know that what you do on the land surrounding the lake does affect the lake!  Declining water quality can affect the type and number of fish species that inhabit the lake and can harm other recreational uses as well as the local economy.  It is to everyone’s’ best interest to take action to protect lake water quality.  Landscaping and managing the property around the lake in an environmentally friendly manner is a way to do your part in protecting our “Queen Lake” while beautifying and increasing the value.  How we use the land affects water quality.  Recent studies show that the quality of a water body affects the value of waterfront property and ultimately the economic health of the local community.  Now is the time during the winter season to study and plan an approach for the spring to improve the conditions around the lake to preserve the quality of its water.

 Buffer areas are places with undistributed growth composed of trees, bushes, and a thick duff layer (leaves, needles, or mulch).  Buffers act as filter areas, windbreaks and provide wildlife habitat, as well as helping to keep streams cool for fish.  At least a 25 foot wide buffer is desirable.  More distance is needed for steep areas.  Lawns are not good buffer areas.  New buffers should be created on developed sites, particularly along drainage ditches and along shorelines, to help filter polluted storm water runoff from land use activities.

 Citizen action does make a difference in the health of a waterbody.  This winter let us start thinking how each one of us might be able to make our crystal clear and sparkling “Queen Lake” remains that way!

 Anyone with ideas, please email me at:   nikiyasara@aol.com