Three Lakes Council serves as a steward of our lakes. We develop recommended actions based on the scientific data collected – and on the priorities of the lake residents. While we always welcome comments, surveys help us collect views systematically.

We know almost any action is a balancing act. For example, if we work to clear the water of algae, we might encourage more weed growth. If we try to manage weed growth, we might affect the fishing or get more algae. Although the lake cannot be all things to all people, we want to make sure we are trying to enhance the things residents like most about these lakes and trying to correct the things residents like the least.

In August 2016, we sent a survey to gather your views. We received 152 responses –thank you! The results are summarized here with full details available below.

Uses and concerns

  • The most common uses are non-motorized boating, scenic enjoyment, and swimming
  • Water clarity and the amount of weeds are the most frequent indicators of water quality to residents
  • The biggest areas of concern on all lakes are algae, invasive weeds, and harmful algal blooms.
  • On Waccabuc, inconsiderate motorboat operation is also a concern
  • Residents on Oscaleta and Rippowam are concerned about beaver debris obstructing the channel

Supported Actions

  • Residents strongly support protection of undeveloped land and goose egg oiling
  • Education on motorboat rules, lakeside buffer plantings, and septic technologies is supported
  • Local management approaches for lake weed management are preferred to lake-wide approaches

How we behave

  • Lake water is a source of household water for 10% of the respondents
  • Bottled water is used for drinking by 28%, water filters by 37%, and water softeners by 32% of us
  • Newsletters, the google group, and the website are the best ways to communicate
  • Information from the Three Lakes Council has changed the behavior of 29% of the residents

Residents filled out a similar survey in 2006.

The 2016 survey indicates:

  • Geese droppings are not as large of a problem, and more support goose egg oiling than in 2006
  • More support for protection of undeveloped land than in previous survey
  • Continued high concern with lake clarity and the amount of lake “weeds”
  • Less concern with motorboat operations, runoff, and septic systems compared to 2006
  • Septic systems are pumped less frequently: in 2016, 41% pump every 1 or 2 years, previously 59% did
  • Beaver are a new concern (new in our lakes and a new question since the 2006 survey)

Click to see the overall results, or results from Lake Waccabuc, Oscaleta, or Rippowam. Or click to see the write in comments.

Details from the 2006 Survey can be found here.