As the Highland Lake Watershed Association proceeds with celebrating its 50th Anniversary, I am so pleased we have worked all those years to preserve and protect Highland Lake. The founders of our organization were already “thinking green” and definitely futuristic in their actions. During the 32 years I have served on the Board of Directors, HLWA has always had to think ahead to anticipate possible detriments to lake water quality. At the same time, there was a need to deal with problems and situations in the present, such as maintaining the water level.

Because this organization was born out of the adverse circumstance of having the Union Pin Company and other downstream manufacturers using lake water to generate electricity and cleanse their waste chemicals, maintaining water in the lake was of paramount importance. The Highland Lake Taxpayer’s Association worked for 25 years to negotiate with the factory owners regarding keeping enough water in the lake during the summer so recreation could be enjoyed. It was due to the Association’s actions the Town of Winchester now owns the water rights and has control over the depth of our water. Interestingly, the level of the lake water continues to be a “hot topic” due to the enormous impact it makes on recreational use, property values, weed control, fish/wildlife habitat, flood protection and aesthetics. Thus, we continue to put much energy into interacting with the Town regarding the issue of water level.

During the past 50 years, HLWA has become increasingly knowledgeable about the scientific aspects of lake water quality and how to manage the watershed environment in order to preserve the water quality. Fifty years ago we had no water quality monitoring, no aquatic plant surveys, and no Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission. In fact, the Town of Winchester had no Town Manager. The lake had very few year-round residences, no sewer line, no street sweeping and very few motorized boats. With the advent of our year-round population growth and all of these “advances,” the lake has aged more rapidly than ever before. With that aging came the need for greater protection. and HLWA has risen to the occasion by advocating for more protective local zoning regulations and Inland Wetlands involvement. With the advent of the State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) developing the State boat launch, HLWA found it necessary to build working relationships with divisions such as Inland Fisheries, Water Protection, Pesticides, Wildlife, Land Acquisition, Boating and Parks.

HLWA has expanded its lake water testing program to a year-round operation. Dr. George Knoecklein was hired to test three streams on the east side of the lake, as well as Sucker Brook and Taylor Brook, to help us understand the impact of these inlets on the lake water. He has also done the water testing and sampling in April, right after ice-off, that has never been done before. The water quality committee will commence its testing with the use of a new Hatch meter for measuring the oxygen content of the water. This information will help us to know more precisely how the oxygen content, phosphorous, nitrates, pH and other lake water parameters change. We will then have a better picture of the lake health and possible need for preventative actions.

Dr. Knoecklein will also conduct a thorough mapping of all the aquatic plants in Highland Lake this season. This information will be valuable in tracking the type, location and density of all plants in the lake and determining changes in their amount and the possible needs for control of them. Our weed control methods, such as applying the herbicide Diquat and doing deep winter drawdowns, can then be reassessed.

The HLWA continues to work with the Town of Winchester and State DEP to replace storm drains with catch basins and submit grants for State funding of restoration projects such as Invasive Plant Control. The funding of the Invasive Plant Grant that was submitted to the DEP in December is still pending resolution of the State budget. I remain hopeful we will receive at least some of the $15,000 applied for.

Another major factor in the protection of water quality is the acquisition of forested land on the watershed. We are keeping a diligent eye out for opportunities such as the purchase, with State and private funding, of the eight-acre tract on the west side of second bay (now known as Long Pond Ridge). Working with the Winchester Land Trust, we hope to build on this acreage of open space land.

Our involvement with the Connecticut Federation of Lakes has provided a network of other lake associations for the sharing of information and strategies regarding water quality protection and water quality data. Attending conferences held by the CFL is valuable as sessions are always rich with cutting-edge information and opportunities to build statewide alliances.

Thus, as I reflect on the past 50 years of HLWA lake advocacy, I see a continual increase in the level of professionalism involved in managing our lake and its watershed. The escalation in the use of scientific monitoring of the lake’s health parallels the advancements in human health care. The State and Town land use regulatory agencies such as the DEP, Winchester Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals have experienced a similar escalation in sophistication. Like the HLWA Board of Directors, Town of Winchester boards and commissions are filled with volunteers who give generously of their time and talent; we appreciate their contributions to our community.