Join the Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) on Tuesday, February 25th at 6pm at the Minot-Sleeper Library in Bristol for this year’s State of the Lake presentation, an annual look at water quality and the health of Newfound Lake. Between 2023 and 2024, Newfound Lake experienced prolonged periods with heavy precipitation and drought, both of which impact water quality. NLRA Conservation Program Manager Paul Pellissier will explore the results of last year’s lake & tributary monitoring efforts, how these very different years affect the Lake, and discuss the importance of NLRA’s ongoing efforts to protect the watershed as a whole.

NLRA monitors long-term trends in water quality for Newfound Lake and its tributaries. Understanding how these trends change over time and across the landscape gives us valuable insights into threats to lake health and guides conservation efforts to protect Newfound Lake. According to Pellissier, while the lake may be the most visible sign of water quality in the watershed, water coming from the tributaries is key to understanding what’s happening in the wider Newfound Watershed. The State of the Lake will provide insight into NLRA’s sampling at upstream sites, what’s carried by that water, and how the health of Newfound’s streams and rivers influences water quality in Newfound Lake.

The NLRA’s mission is to protect Newfound Lake and its watershed.  The Association – through education, programs and collaboration – promotes conservation and preservation of the region’s natural, social, and economic resources.  With the vision of a cleaner, clearer Newfound Lake, NLRA is working to improve environmental health, expand land conservation, increase community support, grow watershed stewardship, and boost capacity to deliver their mission.  Learn more about employment, volunteer opportunities, and more ways to get involved at NewfoundLake.org.