Watershed Management Plan
Overview
The Lake Monomonac Watershed Management Plan (WMP) is currently underway. It represents an important step forward in protecting the long-term health of the lake we all care about. Grounded in comprehensive scientific assessment and community-based analysis, the plan is translating carefully gathered data into clear, prioritized action steps. The WMP will identify where nutrients and sediment are entering the lake – from shoreline properties, roads, and stormwater runoff – and will outline practical, realistic solutions to reduce those impacts. It will lay the groundwork for a coordinated framework for towns, state agencies, property owners, and the lake association to work together. The completed plan will be presented to the public in late this year (2026).
Findings brought to light thus far make it clear that Lake Monomonac is not facing a single catastrophic threat, but rather the cumulative impact of many small, correctable issues. Elevated nutrients, cyanobacteria blooms, compromised water clarity, and oxygen stress in deeper waters are all signals that the lake is under increasing pressure. Much of this pressure stems from activities close to the shoreline and along connected roadways in areas where erosion, stormwater runoff, aging infrastructure, and limited vegetative buffers allow sediment and phosphorus to enter the water.
The encouraging news is that these impacts are identifiable and concentrated. A manageable number of shoreline areas and drainage sites account for a disproportionate share of nutrient loading. That means progress is possible and measurable when we focus our efforts on the right priorities.
Lake Monomonac has not crossed an irreversible threshold. With thoughtful prioritization, shared responsibility, and steady implementation of practical solutions, we can stabilize and strengthen the lake’s ecological health and recreational value. The WMP is about turning knowledge into action and ensuring that future generations experience the same clear water, vibrant habitat, and community connection that define Lake Monomonac today.
What’s Been Done
Extensive work was completed in 2025 and early 2026 to clarify Lake Monomonac’s condition and the factors influencing its future. Field assessments and monitoring efforts evaluated shoreline conditions, watershed drainage patterns, road-related runoff, and septic system data. This research has identified priority problem areas and highlighted where targeted improvements can produce the greatest impact. Together, this body of work provides a clear foundation for action.
The findings tell a consistent story: Lake Monomonac is under increasing stress from pollutant inputs driven largely by human activity near the shoreline and along connected roadways. While the lake remains classified as mesotrophic, multiple indicators show worsening trends that, if left unaddressed, will continue to accelerate algae growth and gradual water quality decline, diminishing both its recreational appeal and ecological health.
Human activity near the lake, not natural aging alone, is driving current trends. Homes built close to the shoreline on sloped terrain, unpaved and poorly drained roads, undersized culverts, fertilized lawns, aging septic systems, and limited vegetative buffers all compound one another. None of these factors exist in isolation, and none can be addressed in isolation.
The good news is that the same studies also demonstrate that meaningful improvement is achievable. The sources of impact are identifiable, geographically concentrated, and, in many cases, relatively cost-effective to address. The lake has not yet crossed irreversible thresholds, but the window for proactive, coordinated action is narrowing. While the lake is under increasing pressure, achievable best management practices, such as restoring vegetative buffers, stabilizing erosion-prone areas, improving stormwater infiltration, and upgrading aging infrastructure, can significantly reduce those inputs. Lake Monomonac remains responsive.
The foundation for the next phase is clear: prioritizing actions, aligning stakeholders, and translating technical findings into a focused, sustained lake protection strategy.
The studies reinforce an important truth: time matters. The longer pollutant inputs continue unchecked, the harder and more expensive restoration becomes. Preventive action taken now is far more cost-effective than reactive intervention later.
What’s Next
A draft of the WMP will be presented to the public in the fall of this year (2026). This presentation will provide an opportunity for residents, stakeholders, and partner communities to review the findings, ask questions, and offer feedback. Following the public meeting, the plan will be refined and finalized, incorporating community input to ensure it reflects both sound science and shared priorities. The goal is a practical, community-supported roadmap that guides lake protection efforts for years to come.
Once the WMP is finalized, the focus will shift fully from assessment to implementation. The WMP will prioritize high-impact shoreline and drainage sites, recommend targeted improvements to stormwater and road infrastructure, support restoration of natural shoreline buffers, and promote lake-friendly stewardship practices among property owners. It will also strengthen coordination among towns, state agencies, and community partners to ensure progress is aligned and sustained. In partnership with NH DES, we will pursue available grant funding to help support and accelerate these efforts.
The path forward is not about launching dozens of disconnected projects. It is about focus, sequencing, and shared ownership. Lake Monomonac is sending clear signals. The causes are known. The solutions are available. What happens next will determine whether the lake stabilizes and recovers, or continues a slow, costly decline.
Our next steps:
- Establish clear priorities
- Shift from assessment to implementation
- Align jurisdictions and responsibilities
- Engage property owners as partners
- Use momentum to secure resources
One initiative we will move forward with this summer is partnering with NH LAKES to work toward becoming a LakeSmart Community. More information will be shared soon on how everyone can participate and contribute to this voluntary shoreline improvement initiative. In the interim, we suggest you take a look at the NH LAKES LakeSmart Book, a valuable guide that outlines practical steps homeowners can take to improve shoreline conditions and protect water quality.
Stay tuned for more details as we roll out next steps in our efforts to protect and improve the long-term health of our lake.
ARCHIVE
- Public Forum: Protecting the Future of Lake Monomonac. On 10/20/25, Grace Little of FB Environmental gave a great presentation outlining our watershed management plan. Although the work is still in the beginning stages it is continuing on schedule. If you missed the presentation, you can watch it here. Passcode: ij?99Qt8
