About the Lake Fairlee Association
The Lake Fairlee Association's (LFA) mission is "to protect and preserve the natural beauty of Lake Fairlee for current and future generations."
Membership is open to all who love the lake: lake residents, visitors, camps, and neighbors near and far.
Membership is open to all who love the lake: lake residents, visitors, camps, and neighbors near and far.
The affairs of the Association are managed by a Board of Trustees, which meets monthly through most of the year. A list of the current Trustees and an email contact form can be found here.
NOTE: This is a new LFA website. The previous LFA blog is available here and will be maintained as an historical record.
NOTE: This is a new LFA website. The previous LFA blog is available here and will be maintained as an historical record.
Download a digital copy of At Home by the Water - Caring for Lake Fairlee and Its Watershed
This user-friendly book was created to inform and educate Lake Fairlee and watershed homeowners as to best practices that we, as homeowners, can do to help protect and preserve our fragile lake and watershed ecosystem.
This user-friendly book was created to inform and educate Lake Fairlee and watershed homeowners as to best practices that we, as homeowners, can do to help protect and preserve our fragile lake and watershed ecosystem.
The Loon Call - Lake Area News
The Loon Call - Lake Area News
Cyanobacteria Facts
Compiled by Sean Brown, WQAC September 25, 2022
Lake Morey has had a significant cyanobacteria bloom this summer. This certainly is an unfortunate and concerning event. Might Lake Fairlee see similar issues in the future?
While cyanobacteria are present in all freshwater lakes and ponds, there are steps we can all take to minimize the potential for cyanobacteria blooms and their impacts on Lake Fairlee. Here are some facts and frequently asked questions to help keep you informed.
Compiled by Sean Brown, WQAC September 25, 2022
Lake Morey has had a significant cyanobacteria bloom this summer. This certainly is an unfortunate and concerning event. Might Lake Fairlee see similar issues in the future?
While cyanobacteria are present in all freshwater lakes and ponds, there are steps we can all take to minimize the potential for cyanobacteria blooms and their impacts on Lake Fairlee. Here are some facts and frequently asked questions to help keep you informed.
RWVL Illustration Summarizes Wake Boat Concerns
September 9, 2022
Click on the image to the left to view a simple, informative drawing that illustrates the safety, environmental, wildlife, property damage and property value issues wake boats can cause.
If you wish to share this with others, download the illustration here.
September 9, 2022
Click on the image to the left to view a simple, informative drawing that illustrates the safety, environmental, wildlife, property damage and property value issues wake boats can cause.
If you wish to share this with others, download the illustration here.
UPDATE: Lake Fairlee Boat Ramp Repair/Closure EXPECTED END DATE, FRIDAY, OCT. 7
Sept. 7, 2022
Vermont Fish & Wildlife's Fishing Access Area Program has been planning, designing, and completing a number of boat ramp upgrades as part of Governor Scott’s initiative to enhance outdoor recreational infrastructure throughout the state.
Plan details for the Lake Fairlee Boat Ramp:
Expected End Date – 10/7/22 (approximate date - may change)
Project Purpose – Rebuild the existing ramp
Project Scope – This project will consist of the installation of a filter curtain within the lake to enclose the work area. The existing concrete ramp slabs will be pulled out and reset closer together to remove existing issues with the slabs separating. The gravel berm just beyond the ramp will also be removed at this time. The site will also include new ADA parking and a accessible route to the ramp and dock.
Access Impact – Entire access area will be closed
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"Paddle-In" to the 3 Corners - A Great Success
August 18, 2022 After a one-day rain delay, on August 18th at the stroke of 6:00pm, 10 "paddle-powered" boats and 14 people met on the lake at the "3 Corners" where the Town lines of Fairlee, Thetford, and West Fairlee meet. Thank you Jim Hughes for this great idea which was organized by the Thetford and West Fairlee Conservation Commissions. |
This informal and fun outing had no goal other than getting out and finding the 3 Corners located across the Lake from Passumpsic Point near the southern shore. Sean Brown, served as our precision-minded master navigator via his GPS watch. All gathered at the Babbott Ward's afterward for nibbles, beverages, and congratulations on accomplishing this unique feat of daring. Click on the map to enlarge and see where "X" marks the spot. Click on the photo for a larger image of Jim & Gill Hughes and master navigator, Sean.
University of Minnesota (UMN) Research on Boat-Generated Waves and Propeller Wash Seeks Crowdfunding
Jeffrey Marr, Project Manager, UMN Healthy Water Initiative Program. email: marrx003@umn.edu August 18, 2022
The UMN Health Water Initiative research is focusing on recreational boat impacts on inland lakes and rivers
– specifically wave and propeller wash impacts. In the summer of 2020 this group initiated their first research project through the financial support of many individuals and community organizations. The field-based study focused on characterizing wave heights, wave energy and wave power of two wakesurf boats and two non-wakesurf boats. The peer-reviewed report from this study was published in February 2022 and has been widely downloaded and distributed. To continue pushing forward, this group has initiated a second phase of study focusing on characterizing the propeller wash generated by recreational boats including wakesurf boats. This group has reached out to for help to share news of their project and has asked for people who feel the project has value to make a financial contribution to their crowdfunding campaign.
Jeffrey Marr, Project Manager, UMN Healthy Water Initiative Program. email: marrx003@umn.edu August 18, 2022
The UMN Health Water Initiative research is focusing on recreational boat impacts on inland lakes and rivers
– specifically wave and propeller wash impacts. In the summer of 2020 this group initiated their first research project through the financial support of many individuals and community organizations. The field-based study focused on characterizing wave heights, wave energy and wave power of two wakesurf boats and two non-wakesurf boats. The peer-reviewed report from this study was published in February 2022 and has been widely downloaded and distributed. To continue pushing forward, this group has initiated a second phase of study focusing on characterizing the propeller wash generated by recreational boats including wakesurf boats. This group has reached out to for help to share news of their project and has asked for people who feel the project has value to make a financial contribution to their crowdfunding campaign.
- The project summary includes the scope of work, schedule, and budget.
- Information on the crowdfunding campaign can be found here.
- The UMN Healthy Water Project Website is here.
2022 Annual Loon Watch Census Update - The Loon Ranger Report
Doug Tifft August 20, 2022
My total time out on the lake doing the 2022 LoonWatch Day on July 16 census was about 2 1/2 hours, starting at 7:02 a.m. Tom Ward and Katherine Babbott were present for most of it. During that time, we had a remarkable number of encounters with loons swimming, diving, flying overhead, taking off, and landing. It was hard to be certain just how many separate loons we were seeing due to the frequent movement. I suspect there was a territorial battle raging around us since I later found that the loon chick had been "stashed" next to the Treasure Island swimming area. That usually means the parents are away defending their territory. I ended up posting on Vermont eBird eight discrete loons counted that morning: 1 loon chick, 5 "intruder loons," 2 resident loons. The final tally for all of Vermont in 2022 should be posted soon.
I observed for a long time the nearly fully grown loon chick last night (August 19) just off the northern shore of Treasure Island. One parent was nearby but no longer needed to attend the chick's needs. The chick has been able to dive and feed itself for nearly a month now. It is still an overall grayish color but you can begin to see what will become distinctive stripes along its wings. Once August is over, I will confirm whether the chick is still around, at which point it will become part of the official count of surviving chicks. I am told that adult loons start departing for their winter habitat along the coast of New England as early as late September, with the chick following later and somehow finding its way. I have yet to see it fly, which is its next big challenge.
Other data of interest:
Doug Tifft August 20, 2022
My total time out on the lake doing the 2022 LoonWatch Day on July 16 census was about 2 1/2 hours, starting at 7:02 a.m. Tom Ward and Katherine Babbott were present for most of it. During that time, we had a remarkable number of encounters with loons swimming, diving, flying overhead, taking off, and landing. It was hard to be certain just how many separate loons we were seeing due to the frequent movement. I suspect there was a territorial battle raging around us since I later found that the loon chick had been "stashed" next to the Treasure Island swimming area. That usually means the parents are away defending their territory. I ended up posting on Vermont eBird eight discrete loons counted that morning: 1 loon chick, 5 "intruder loons," 2 resident loons. The final tally for all of Vermont in 2022 should be posted soon.
I observed for a long time the nearly fully grown loon chick last night (August 19) just off the northern shore of Treasure Island. One parent was nearby but no longer needed to attend the chick's needs. The chick has been able to dive and feed itself for nearly a month now. It is still an overall grayish color but you can begin to see what will become distinctive stripes along its wings. Once August is over, I will confirm whether the chick is still around, at which point it will become part of the official count of surviving chicks. I am told that adult loons start departing for their winter habitat along the coast of New England as early as late September, with the chick following later and somehow finding its way. I have yet to see it fly, which is its next big challenge.
Other data of interest:
- some 165 Vermont lakes were surveyed by over 200 volunteers on July 16
- 55 loon nesting rafts were in place this year, with 36 of them occupied
- by the beginning of July, volunteers reported 67 successful nests producing a total of 94 chicks (27 of the 67 nests had two chicks)
- this table shows loon count data from 1979 to 2021. Of note: there were 435 loons counted in 2021 compared to 45 loons counted in 1983.
10 Loons Sighted off Passumpsic Point!
Doug Tifft July 24, 2022
On July 24, Jim Morgan captured this photo of a group of 10 loons off Passumpsic point. (click photo to enlarge) This may the the largest group of loons ever documented on the lake.
Here are Doug Tifft's (aka the Loon Ranger) thoughts on this loon gathering:
"I am pretty sure these would be what are called "floater loons" or "intruder loons" — unattached loons usually 4 to 6 years of age who have yet to establish a territory or select a mate. Think of them as roving bands of 20-somethings hanging with their buddies and doing the bar scene. Normally we only see around five such loons visiting from nearby smaller lakes such as Miller Pond (thus, I call them the Miller Pond gang). The larger number may simply be the consequence of peak years of chick survival from a few years back. There was a chick "baby boomlet" that is now leveling off or declining (read more here: Vermont Center for Ecostudies [this is somewhat dated, I might note, since it was written in 2015]). While such roving gangs pose a threat to established loons such as ours, my understanding is that the longer a male loon holds onto a territory, the more it is understood by other unattached loons that it is not available. This, of course, will change as the defending male ages or is perceived as weaker. What I would like to believe is that these "young toughs" will sort out among themselves which one will establish a new territory in the southern half of Lake Fairlee. I am told by Eric Hanson, who leads the Vermont Loon Conservation Project, that Lake Fairlee is large enough to support a second pair of loons if an adequate nesting site (or perhaps pre-emptive nesting raft) could be found. It just has to be out of sight of the current nesting location. Perhaps in the cove where Lochearn is located, along the Ohana shoreline? Perhaps in the shallow, marshy area off Robinson Hill Road across from Dale Gephart's house (a built-in loon observer!).
Doug Tifft July 24, 2022
On July 24, Jim Morgan captured this photo of a group of 10 loons off Passumpsic point. (click photo to enlarge) This may the the largest group of loons ever documented on the lake.
Here are Doug Tifft's (aka the Loon Ranger) thoughts on this loon gathering:
"I am pretty sure these would be what are called "floater loons" or "intruder loons" — unattached loons usually 4 to 6 years of age who have yet to establish a territory or select a mate. Think of them as roving bands of 20-somethings hanging with their buddies and doing the bar scene. Normally we only see around five such loons visiting from nearby smaller lakes such as Miller Pond (thus, I call them the Miller Pond gang). The larger number may simply be the consequence of peak years of chick survival from a few years back. There was a chick "baby boomlet" that is now leveling off or declining (read more here: Vermont Center for Ecostudies [this is somewhat dated, I might note, since it was written in 2015]). While such roving gangs pose a threat to established loons such as ours, my understanding is that the longer a male loon holds onto a territory, the more it is understood by other unattached loons that it is not available. This, of course, will change as the defending male ages or is perceived as weaker. What I would like to believe is that these "young toughs" will sort out among themselves which one will establish a new territory in the southern half of Lake Fairlee. I am told by Eric Hanson, who leads the Vermont Loon Conservation Project, that Lake Fairlee is large enough to support a second pair of loons if an adequate nesting site (or perhaps pre-emptive nesting raft) could be found. It just has to be out of sight of the current nesting location. Perhaps in the cove where Lochearn is located, along the Ohana shoreline? Perhaps in the shallow, marshy area off Robinson Hill Road across from Dale Gephart's house (a built-in loon observer!).
LFA Annual Meeting at the Post Mills Airport
July 23, 2022
The Saturday, July 23rd Annual meeting at the Post Mills Airport was well attended with over 60 members on hand. The association has many projects underway as evidenced by the extensive meeting agenda that included: Approval of 2021 Annual Meeting Minutes; Treasurer's Report; Election of Trustees; Water Quality Action Committee Report; Presentation of Shoreland Guide - At Home on the Water; Milfoil Update; Greeter Program Update; Lake Fairlee Loon talk by guest speaker Doug Tifft; Treasure Island Update; Wake Boat Update; And a tribute to Outgoing Treasurer Ridge Satterthwaite.
Elizabeth Wilcox was voted in as a new trustee to replace Nolan Riegler who has stepped down. Elizabeth will join the membership and communication committee. Three members whose terms were expiring were reelected to new terms: Ben McLaughlin, David Roth and Vicky Smith. It was also announced that the board had elected David Roth as the new board president to replace Ben who is stepping down after eight years as President but is staying on as a trustee. During Ben's eight year tenure as president, the LFA has taken on many new projects. Thank you Ben for your service and remaining on the board.
Ridge Satterthwaite is stepping down as Treasurer after only 18 years! He was presented with a gift certificate the the newly opened Red Clover Cafe (run by the lake's Janet & Tom Call), a lifetime LFA membership certificate, and a loaf of homemade sourdough bread for taking such good care of the LFA's dough over the years. Thank you Ridge!
July 23, 2022
The Saturday, July 23rd Annual meeting at the Post Mills Airport was well attended with over 60 members on hand. The association has many projects underway as evidenced by the extensive meeting agenda that included: Approval of 2021 Annual Meeting Minutes; Treasurer's Report; Election of Trustees; Water Quality Action Committee Report; Presentation of Shoreland Guide - At Home on the Water; Milfoil Update; Greeter Program Update; Lake Fairlee Loon talk by guest speaker Doug Tifft; Treasure Island Update; Wake Boat Update; And a tribute to Outgoing Treasurer Ridge Satterthwaite.
Elizabeth Wilcox was voted in as a new trustee to replace Nolan Riegler who has stepped down. Elizabeth will join the membership and communication committee. Three members whose terms were expiring were reelected to new terms: Ben McLaughlin, David Roth and Vicky Smith. It was also announced that the board had elected David Roth as the new board president to replace Ben who is stepping down after eight years as President but is staying on as a trustee. During Ben's eight year tenure as president, the LFA has taken on many new projects. Thank you Ben for your service and remaining on the board.
Ridge Satterthwaite is stepping down as Treasurer after only 18 years! He was presented with a gift certificate the the newly opened Red Clover Cafe (run by the lake's Janet & Tom Call), a lifetime LFA membership certificate, and a loaf of homemade sourdough bread for taking such good care of the LFA's dough over the years. Thank you Ridge!
Consider Signing the Online Letter of Support or Send a Written Comment to the DEC for the RWVL Petition to Manage Wake Boats on Vermont's Lakes and Ponds
Written Comment Period Ends July 29, 2022
July 20, 2022
At the July 29, 2021 LFA board meeting, the board voted to support the multi-lake group, Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes (RWVL) to work toward ways to manage the negative impacts caused by wake boats. Wake boats are designed to create big wakes (often 3-4 feet or more in height) for surfing without the aid of a tow rope. In March of this year, RWVL filed a petition with Vermont's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to manage wake boats and wake enhanced activities by restricting them to areas of lakes far enough from shore and in deep enough water to limit their public safety, environmental, economic and wildlife impacts and the crowding out of traditional lake activities: water skiing, paddle boating, fishing, sailing, swimming, etc. If you are unfamiliar with wake boats, please watch this video of a wake boat on Vermont's Lake Raponda and check out the RWVL Picture Book & FAQs and/or this Educational Sheet.
The petition and related documents are posted on the DEC website.
Please add your name to the online Letter of Support at this link: tinyurl.com/RWVLLetterOfSupport
The DEC is currently accepting written comments on the petition. Comments will be accepted via email to Laura Dlugolecki (please use "Use of Public Waters Public Comment" in the email subject line) or by mail to the following address by 4:00 pm on Friday, July 29, 2022:
Written Comment Period Ends July 29, 2022
July 20, 2022
At the July 29, 2021 LFA board meeting, the board voted to support the multi-lake group, Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes (RWVL) to work toward ways to manage the negative impacts caused by wake boats. Wake boats are designed to create big wakes (often 3-4 feet or more in height) for surfing without the aid of a tow rope. In March of this year, RWVL filed a petition with Vermont's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to manage wake boats and wake enhanced activities by restricting them to areas of lakes far enough from shore and in deep enough water to limit their public safety, environmental, economic and wildlife impacts and the crowding out of traditional lake activities: water skiing, paddle boating, fishing, sailing, swimming, etc. If you are unfamiliar with wake boats, please watch this video of a wake boat on Vermont's Lake Raponda and check out the RWVL Picture Book & FAQs and/or this Educational Sheet.
The petition and related documents are posted on the DEC website.
Please add your name to the online Letter of Support at this link: tinyurl.com/RWVLLetterOfSupport
The DEC is currently accepting written comments on the petition. Comments will be accepted via email to Laura Dlugolecki (please use "Use of Public Waters Public Comment" in the email subject line) or by mail to the following address by 4:00 pm on Friday, July 29, 2022:
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Attn: Laura Dlugolecki
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Watershed Management Division 1 National Life Drive, Davis 3 Montpelier, VT 05620-3522 |
Photo taken 6.15 by Rita Temple Brooks. Click to enlarge.
Breaking News! A Lake Fairlee Exclusive from Doug Tifft
June 15, 2022
We have just sighted a loon chick swimming with its parents near the Lake Fairlee loon nesting raft. There was a lot of calling back and forth over the past day or so, indicating an imminent arrival. The two loon parents are doing well, making short excursions from the nest. One of the loon parents has returned to continue tending the second egg (I had confirmed the presence of two eggs shortly after they were laid). We will continue monitoring. Today is a glorious day to be hatched. The weather couldn't be finer.
This marks the seventh loon chick by this pair since their first nesting at the mouth of Blood Brook in 2016.
June 15, 2022
We have just sighted a loon chick swimming with its parents near the Lake Fairlee loon nesting raft. There was a lot of calling back and forth over the past day or so, indicating an imminent arrival. The two loon parents are doing well, making short excursions from the nest. One of the loon parents has returned to continue tending the second egg (I had confirmed the presence of two eggs shortly after they were laid). We will continue monitoring. Today is a glorious day to be hatched. The weather couldn't be finer.
This marks the seventh loon chick by this pair since their first nesting at the mouth of Blood Brook in 2016.
The News Archives contains past Loon Call Area News and are available here.
The previous LFA blog will be maintained as an historical record and is available here.
Current LFA Projects
The Association’s board, members, and numerous dedicated community volunteers are working hard to take care of our lake. Volunteers have donated hundreds of hours for the betterment of the lake and community. Here are highlights of current projects supported by membership dues, generous donations, and many volunteer hours:
- Lake and Watershed Action Plan (LWAP). Lake Fairlee has been selected as one of two Vermont lakes for funding ($30,000) to develop a Lake and Watershed Action Plan. Led by Lisa Niccolai, Conservation Specialist, White River Conservation District (WRNRCD), work has begun on the plan with a final report anticipated in the spring of 2023.
- Lake Wise Program. Concurrent with the LWAP, the WRNRCD has asked the LFA for assistance identifying landowners wishing to have a Lake Wise Program property assessment. Through the assessment process, you will learn valuable information about your specific shoreline – how to support a healthy lake ecosystem by following best management practices and the method(s) to create a native vegetative shoreline buffer to decrease runoff and erosion. To schedule an appointment or gather more information, contact Lisa Niccolai). To assist this program, EC Browns Nursery in Thetford Center offers current LFA members listed in the upcoming LFA Directory a discount on trees, shrubs and flowers.
- Water Quality. The Water Quality Action Committee (WQAC) continues its cooperative work with the LaRosa Partnership Program (LPP) to understand the sources of high phosphate levels in the lake and its tributaries, adding sampling sites and utilizing new research methodologies. WQAC will assist with the Lake and Watershed Action Plan.
- Treasure Island. Formed in 2020, the Town of Thetford created the Treasure Island Exploratory Committee comprised of community volunteers and chaired by an LFA board member. The Committee is focused on this valuable and much-loved local town beach and nature area. Working with Lake Wise, and with the likely support of the LWAP grant, the Committee is dedicated to improving the health of Treasure Island’s extensive shoreline and other upgrades. The Committee has asked the Town of Thetford to set aside land for a pollinator garden, and plans to hire a consultant forester. A hiking/nature trail is being considered and a new Treasure Island entrance sign is in place to greet visitors! You can read the Treasure Island Exploratory Committee - Annual Progress Report here.
- Milfoil Mitigation. Routinely the largest portion of the LFA annual budget, milfoil mitigation efforts continue in 2022 with a renewed State license and a June application of the herbicide Procellacor. This product boasts higher effectiveness in lower concentrations than previous products. Used in conjunction with some potential suction harvesting, Procellacor will help us continue to combat milfoil and help create a healthier, better balanced aquatic ecosystem.
- Greeter Program. The Lake Fairlee Greeter Program is integral to our battle against invasive species. Stationed at the boat landing from May through mid-October, six (6) highly experienced (6-8 years each), state-trained greeters will return in 2022! The greeters inspect all inbound and outbound watercraft for invasive plants and animals. The Greeter Program is one of the primary programs supported by your dues and donations.
- Wake Boats. Congruent with the LFA’s core purpose to preserve, protect and enhance the distinctive and natural resources of Lake Fairlee and its surrounding watershed, the LFA board voted in July 2021 to support the work of Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes (RWVL). This citizens group has filed a petition with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) proposing rules to manage wake boats on Vermont lakes. Public informational hearings are scheduled for June 29th and July 7th. To show your personal support for wake boats to be managed on Vermont's lakes and ponds, please sign the online Letter of Support at this link: tinyurl.com/RWVLLetterOfSupport and attend the public hearings in person or virtually. The DEC will decide later in the summer any plans to issue new rules. Unfamiliar with wake boats and wake surfing – Watch this 1.5 minute video showing a wake boat in action on southern Vermont's Lake Raponda last summer.
- Nature. For quiet observers, the lake and surrounding land once again hosted numerous wonderful creatures. Fox, beavers, otters, muskrats, turtles, bald eagles, great blue herons, osprey, and loons could all be seen around the lake. Thanks to our state approved nesting raft, we've had a successful loon breeding pair for six of the past seven years (a baby chick was first spotted this summer on June 15, 2022) – an incredible success rate. Dedicated volunteers work closely with Vermont Fish and Wildlife, a biologist from the Vermont Loon Conservation Project, and Vermont Center for Ecostudies to monitor the lake’s loon population. With member donations, the LFA continues to provide financial support to the Vermont Center for Ecostudies.
About Lake Fairlee
Lake Fairlee is a 2 mile long, 462 acre natural lake located in three towns: Thetford, Fairlee, and West Fairlee. The lake is fed from the north by two brooks, Middle Brook and Blood Brook. At the lake’s southwesterly outlet is the recently rebuilt Lake Fairlee Dam (2015). The water flows past the dam and makes its way into the Ompompanoosuc River, which, in turn, empties into the Connecticut River. A combination of four roads surround the lake: VT RT-244, Quinibeck Road, Robinson Hill Road, and Lake Shore Drive. There are two public access points, the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife Access Area/Boat Launch on RT-244 in West Fairlee and Thetford's Treasure Island (fees required), also on RT-244 in West Fairlee.
Lake Fairlee from the air.
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The LFA sends out periodic newsletters and announcements. If you would like our newsletters and announcements emailed to you, please provide us with your email address.
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Please contact us if you have any questions about the LFA or wish to tell us about interesting happenings around the lake.
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