Commission reviews Darrow Pond data, plans watershed study and Section 604(b) grant work

The commission devoted an extended segment of the Aug. 6 meeting to Darrow Pond, reviewing state sampling that commissioners said shows low dissolved oxygen in deep spots and elevated phosphorus concentrations. Chair described meetings with the grant coordinator and town stormwater consultant and said the commission intends to prepare a Section 604(b) watershed plan and a grant application; he cited a working deadline in the fall and said he will meet with CEI and NRPC to get ballpark costs.

Commissioners examined Secchi-visibility trends and phosphorus readings from historical data the chair had collected, noting a marked decline in clarity over decades and recent fluctuation: the chair referenced a recent Secchi reading near 1.4 meters and past low values around 0.9 meters, and discussed phosphorus measurements in the state dataset described as unusually high for the lake. Members discussed options including targeted aeration in deep spots, additional sampling for bacteria to support recreational-use assessments, and an RFQ/RFP process for technical work. "If anything over 12 is bad and we're at 250," the chair said when comparing a guideline value to recent phosphorus figures, and commissioners agreed to follow up with the state's sampling lead for clarification and to preserve all datasets in the commission portal for consultant review.

The commission assigned follow-up: pursue the watershed-plan grant process, arrange targeted bacteria sampling (town or Manchester Treatment Plant capacity discussed), and compile state data for consultant analysis. No formal funding motion was made during the review; the commission treated the work as a planning and grant-preparation step.