Lower Naukeag Lake Association

11/13/2025

Hello,

A licensed trapper came out to assess the beaver situation around our lake on November 10th. He was brought to multiple locations and found no activity except for the causeway. A trap was set there and he will monitor them frequently. He will also trap when the lake refills in the spring as the season lasts until April 15th.

Thank you to Tom Smolinsky for coordinating this project.

Very best,
Steve Slocum

09/26/2025

Two important announcements:

1. The drawdown of Lower Naukeag Lake will begin on Wednesday, October 1st.
Remember that the water level is already low from the dry summer so be sure
to get your watercraft out promptly.

2. Beaver update: Board of Directors member Tom Smolinsky spoke to a
gentleman from Wachusett Wildlife Services and he's going to come out after
the drawdown and take a look at the problem and see if they are still active
with less water in the lake. If he finds that they are still active he will
schedule a time (2nd week of November) tentatively to trap them. One thing
I do need are the properties that are being affected so he knows where to
focus his efforts. Please respond to Tom directly at [email protected].

Thank you.

Steve Slocum

08/04/2025

I apologize for the error in the newsletter that had the right day but the wrong date of the annual meeting and boat parade.

Here is the correct information:

Sunday, August 24th 11:00 a.m. Annual Meeting 162 Sherbert
Road

2:00 p.m. Boat Parade meet between the islands!

Thank you and very best,

Steve Slocum

09/30/2024

Just a reminder that our annual drawdown of Lower Naukeag Lake, authorized by an Order of Conditions issued by the Conservation Commission of the town, will begin on Tuesday, October 1st. Be advised that the water level is already down 3-4 inches so I expect the lake will recede rather quickly.

Very best,
Steve Slocum
President, Lower Naukeag Lake Association

08/23/2024

Hello,

The Annual Meeting of the Lower Naukeag Lake Association will be held on Sunday, August 25th at 11:00 a.m. at the home of Donna & Steve Slocum, 162 Sherbert Road.

Additionally, the 4th Annual Boat Parade will be held this Sunday at 2:00p.m. We will meet between the islands and then cruise around the lake to the delight of all! Whether you decorate your boat or not, please join us for this fun event.

Thank you and see you on Sunday!

Very best,

Steve Slocum

06/20/2024

The Lower Naukeag Lake Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to treat the lake this season. That one-day process usually occurs in late June. However, this year the lake will be treated for nuisance aquatic vegetation on Thursday, July 18th. This later date gives the targets more time to show themselves, allowing for a more accurate application around the lake.

More detailed information is included in the LNLA Annual Newsletter. Look for it in your mailbox next week.

Thank you and very best,
Steve Slocum
President, LNLA

Send a message to learn more

05/16/2024

The kayak in the photos was found stuck in the dam this spring. It
was pulled out after the boards were replaced. If this is your kayak,
please contact me and I will assist you in retrieving it.

Thanks,
Steve

09/09/2023

To all lake users:

I just completed a survey of the entire perimeter of our lake. I did not see any traces of the algae bloom that started on Labor Day. If you see
anything abnormal in the water, I would still advise to stay out of the lakeand keep your pets away from the water.

Steve Slocum
President
Lower Naukeag Lake Association

09/08/2023

NOTIFICATION OF AQUATIC TREATMENT
Lower Naukeag Lake will be chemically treated to control nuisance aquatic vegetation - specifically waterlilies - on Thursday, September 14th , 2023 . On the day of treatment, the entire lake will be closed to all water uses (including swimming, boating and fishing) until Friday, September 15th. Furthermore, water from the lake should not be used for irrigation, watering livestock, cooking or drinking purposes on the date of treatment. The chemical treatment is being conducted pursuant to a permit issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MASSDEP) and an Order of Conditions issued by the Ashburnham Conservation Commission – DEP File #092-0909. The work is being performed under contract with Solitude Lake Management of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. IMPORTANT NOTE: This treatment is weather dependent: it needs to be a calm day with no rain. If the
weather is not suitable, another notification will be sent out.

ANNUAL DRAWDOWN
The annual drawdown of Lower Naukeag Lake will begin on Monday, October 2nd, 2023. Due to the aquatic treatment noted above, moving the start of this process from our typical start date of October 1st will allow a full extra weekend for residents to remove their watercraft.

09/06/2023

To all lake users:

The algae bloom that was discovered on Labor Day is still around. It has been observed in several locations around the lake but seems to have significantly regressed. The warm temperatures are not beneficial in eliminating the bloom. I would still advise to stay out of the lake if you see anything abnormal and keep your pets away from the water.

Very best,

Steve Slocum
President
Lower Naukeag Lake Association

09/04/2023

To all lake users:

An isolated algae bloom was reported in the Bass Cove area yesterday and
today it has spread to a much larger area of the lake. It is most
noticeable in the western basin (the area west of the line starting at the
point of the peninsula to the small island and from there proceeding north
of the big island towards the entrance to the dam cove). Be advised that
this could be a blue-green cyanobacteria bloom. Some varieties of
cyanobacteria may produce toxins and become Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) that
can be harmful to both humans and animals. Dogs are particularly
susceptible to HABs because of their tendency to lick their own wet fur
after being in the water. It is important to understand that not all
cyanobacteria produce the cyanotoxins that lead to HABs; and, at present,
only expensive laboratory tests of water samples can determine whether
cyanotoxins are present in enough concentration to cause harm. Consequently,
both the Board of Health and the CDC recommend the most cautious approach to
any unidentified green scum in the water; specifically, "When in doubt, it's
best to keep out!" Typically, these blooms dissipate within two days of
first being identified, which is a natural progression of a bloom. Algal
blooms have been reported in lakes throughout New England this summer. The
EPA and other scientists are only just beginning to understand the factors
that lead to the development of algal blooms. They do know that climate
change is a contributing factor; along with run-off from lawn/plant
fertilizer and failing septic systems. There is, unfortunately, no way to
treat the water or remove a cyanobacteria bloom. In the meantime, all lake
users are encouraged to eliminate the use of fertilizer where run-off can
reach the lake; maintain septic systems in good working order; report any
unusual scum, film, or colors in the lake water; and take appropriate
precautions. I will provide an update no later than Wednesday.

Very best,

Steve Slocum
President
Lower Naukeag Lake Association

04/27/2023

White cat missing from 216 Sherbert Road. Very skittish. If seen, call Tammy at (978) 340-4482