My wife Jean and I visited our daughter and grandsons at Cape Cod at the end of July and I noticed this phrase in a small painting in their home. The phrase was meant to be a warning to take care of the wonderful beaches and waterbodies at the Cape because they are facing environmental problems. I could not help but compare the problems the residents of Cape Cod face with those we are beginning to experience in the Highland Lake watershed. Residents of our watershed need to respect Highland Lake, for it, too, has a fragile ecosystem.

While we were there, local papers reported Parkers River in West Yarmouth was subject to a “fish kill”; hundreds of fish, from stripers to eels to flounder, were found floating dead. An entire section of a fragile river, already described as “an ecosystem in an advanced state of deterioration,” was choked out by an algal bloom. The local reporter asked the question of what or who is to blame. He stated one theory was it was runoff from the heavy rains this summer, and others blamed leaching from septic systems in this highly developed area, including effluent from nearby motels.

The reporter went on to offer his opinion: “I believe this process is called eutrophication, when too much fertilizer runs off from those green rolling lawns at the water’s edge, and then clog up the water, halting photosynthesis, and choking the river from the bottom up.”

The reporter cited other examples of rivers and ponds at the Cape that have experienced these same devastating issues, and it seems to me each time we visit the Cape, the press has another similar story of pollution. From my limited experience at the Cape, it appears officials are now beginning to take steps to reduce this threat of pollution by replacing cisterns and old septic systems with new septic systems employing the latest technology. However, the numerous plush lawns throughout the Cape and nurseries and garden shops selling fertilizer indicate nothing is being done for perhaps the most important contributor to the problem.

At HLWA’s annual meeting, held on July 12 at Gilbert School, our guest speaker, Dr. George Knoecklein, described the present condition of Highland Lake as a lake that is experiencing a growing problem of rising levels of depleted oxygen that eventually could produce algal blooms. Over the last few decades, the waterline where the oxygen is adequate meets the no-oxygen zone has been creeping closer to the lake’s surface. He warned we are already at the point in August and September where there’s probably zero trout habitat in Highland Lake. His presentation was a “wakeup call” to many of us in attendance. Clare Stevens will provide more details on Dr. Knoecklein’s presentation on page 4.

Take a look at the “rolling plush lawns” around Highland Lake, study the effect of increased runoffs carrying pollutants into the lake, and you will understand why I noticed the similarity with our problems and those facing the Cape Cod residents. The Cape may be where we are heading if we don’t do anything. Algal blooms are already evident throughout Sucker Brook Cove.

As the HLWA Board of Directors feels so strongly Dr. Knoecklein’s report is crucially important to the future of the watershed, we have asked Clare Stevens to begin publishing a series of articles on Dr. Knoecklein’s report for the newsletter beginning with the winter issue. We also have Dr. Knoecklein’s presentation at the annual meeting on tape and will try to arrange a showing on the local cable network. We will send out an email notice to all HLWA members once the program is scheduled.

So what else can we do? Most important, pledge not to spread any fertilizer on your lawn. I realize that seems drastic, since the fertilizer companies have convinced us we must have a four-step program of fertilizer each year to have a better lawn than our neighbors. Until we can feel better for having a lawn that is less green and plush than our neighbors, we will look forward to these problems in the watershed.

We also need your help to support HLWA’s effort to fund increased water-quality testing of Highland Lake and the contributing streams in order to discover problems with the ecosystem as early as possible and to find ways of combating these problems as cheaply as possible.

Catch basins also play an important role in a cost-efficient method for Highland Lake’s pollution defenses. If a catch basin on or near your property is clogged or needs repair, let the Public Works Department (860.379.4070) or a member of the HLWA Board of Directors know there is a problem. It would also be helpful if you would remove sticks and other debris blocking any catch basin.

Finally, make sure you make it known to the newly elected Town officials that, despite the economic environment, you want to be assured a portion of your taxes will continue to support the environmental well-being of the watershed.