Archive for the 'Events' Category

Welcome to the Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance

awwaadmin November 13th, 2008

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The Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance (AWWA) is a non-profit organization working to protect and restore water quality through the prevention of nonpoint source pollution in the border region of Acton, Maine and Wakefield, NH. (read more about AWWA)

Our Youth Conservation Corps program protects water quality and property values for future generations by working directly with landowners to prevent pollution caused by stormwater runoff and erosion. (read more about the AWWA YCC)

Beginning in the Spring of 2008 AWWA began a two-year project to develop a Watershed-based Management Plan for the headwaters of the Salmon Falls River including Great East Lake, Horn Pond, Lake Ivanhoe, Lovell Lake and Wilson Lake and all their tributaries. (read more about the Watershed Plan project)

AWWA partners with local, state and regional agencies to learn about watershed protection and develop strategies for fixing existing problems and planning for the prevention of future problems. AWWA’s Board of Directors and staff are actively engaged in enriching their understanding and knowledge about issues facing the watershed communities.

AWWA is committed to spreading the word about watershed protection and how YOU can help reduce the effects of erosion and other non-point source pollution.  Explore the website and don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance, with concerns or suggestions.

NH Watershed Conference

awwaadmin November 14th, 2008

Title: NH Watershed Conference
Location: Grappone Center, Concord, NH
Link out: Click here

Description: Linda Schier & Adam Shoukimas presented “Crossing Boundaries for Watershed Protection” with Sally Soule of NH DES to an engaged group of watershed managers and volunteers on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at the Grappone Center in Concord, NH. Partner Forrest Bell of FBE Environmental Associates elaborated on the details of developing a watershed-based management plan. The presenters showcased how AWWA’s Board of Directors and partners quickly learned the opportunities and challenges of working across state lines as they launched a Youth Conservation Corps and began a watershed-based management plan project. Adam did a wonderful job of explaining and illustrating the benefits of small-scale erosion control projects. The presentation revealed the successes and obstacles presented by forming a unique partnership that crosses political boundaries.
Start Time: 1:00
Date: November 15, 2008
End Time: 3:00

Volunteers survey Horn Pond & Lovell Lake watersheds

awwaadmin October 10th, 2008

The field work for the Horn Pond and Lovell Lake Watershed surveys was completed by the end of September thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of many volunteers and the generosity of the Acton Congregational Church & St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church for the donation of our meeting space.  The Lovell Lake Food Center, McKenzie’s Farm and the Lovell Lake Association donated goodies to keep the volunteers fueled.

20 volunteers and technical advisors surveyed the 200 properties within the Horn Pond watershed in June and a group of 34 tackled the 852 properties within the Lovell watershed! Fortunately the weather held for each training date and earlier torrential rains highlighted the erosion problems.

Before getting out into the field the volunteers learned the “whys” and “hows” of watershed surveys, and were trained to identify and document sites where eroding soil is washing into the lakes and streams. After the training session teams were formed, and then they ventured into the watersheds surrounding Horn Pond and Lovell Lake.  The teams collected information by observation and by speaking with homeowners. Data, including measurements, photographs and anecdotal accounts from the homeowners, was recorded and returned to the AWWA staff at the end of the day.

Surveyors in Sector 5The volunteers and leaders reported having a very satisfying experience which included speaking with positive and concerned property owners, as well as learning, up close, what is happening that affects the quality of our lake and stream waters.

This information will be compiled into lake specific reports that will be used by homeowners, lake associations, towns, and AWWA to conduct improvement projects in the future.  AWWA will compile the data and issue the Horn Pond and Lovell Lake reports in the winter of 2009.  Anyone interested in the results is encouraged to contact AWWA.  Landowners whose properties had identified erosion issues will receive a letter notifying them of the problem and offering advice from AWWA.

AWWA will continue collecting information for the Salmon Falls Headwaters management plan with surveys of Great East Lake and Lake Ivanhoe watersheds in June of 2009.  The Wilson Lake Association will be conducting its watershed survey in April 2009 with the assistance of Maine DEP and AWWA.

The purpose of the Watershed Surveys are solely to gather information to lead to best management practices to improve and/or maintain the water quality in the Acton-Wakefield area. All homeowners are invited to join the survey teams and voluntarily permit their property to be included in the survey. If you would like further information or would like to volunteer AWWA can be reached at 603-473-2500 or info@AWwatersheds.org.