Eastman Living Online Magazine

By Jeanne West

Captivating in every season, Eastman’s “Great Pond” is indisputably a jewel in the crown of our sustainable, intergenerational, recreation-loving community. Preservation of this 335-acre gem inspires residents and governing bodies to protect the quality of this resource in every way possible. More than a decade ago, in 2004, the Eastman Community Association’s (ECA) Lakes and Streams Committee commissioned a study of the Eastman Lake shoreline that established a baseline record of lakeshore conditions at 57 different locations around the lake. The study, conducted by Tamsen Bolte, an environmental studies student at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, NH, also provided procedures and guidelines for gathering and using follow-up data from the same sites for future studies and for monitoring the health of our shoreline from year to year.

Time for an Appraisal
Recognizing a need to update the findings of that study, Ron Carr, a trustee of the Eastman Charitable Foundation (ECF), a non-profit organization that focuses on preservation of the natural environment within Eastman and the abutting watershed in the towns of Enfield, Grantham, and Springfield, brought Bolte’s report to the attention of the ECF in 2015 and recommended that the ECF conduct a follow-up shoreline study. With the encouragement and financial backing of the ECF, Carr prepared a proposal for a shoreline survey for the ECA Board of Directors. With the Board’s endorsement, he began planning and organizing a new, in-depth evaluation of the shoreline that followed the methods and procedures of the first study. He then enlisted the aid and expertise of a committee of volunteers.

The Evaluation Process
The expertise among the volunteers was truly impressive. Lionel Chute, director of Natural Resources for Sullivan County and the district manager of the Sullivan County Conservation District, served as botanist. Carr organized the survey outings and followed GPS coordinates to navigate the group to all the sites of the original study. Eastman resident and photographer Fred Orkin ensured an accurate and extensive visual record of the sites. Eastmanites Rob and Kathy Stebbins donated the use of their pontoon boat, which Kathy expertly captained during the two days of gathering data and photos in late June and early July 2016.

Chute divided the lakeshore landscape into four vegetative layers. The canopy layer was composed of vegetation taller than 30 feet. Vegetation from 8 to 30 feet in height composed the mid-canopy layer, and the shrub layer was comprised of everything above the water but below eight feet. The submerged vegetation composed the aquatic layer. Chute identified most species by sight, but collected anything requiring further study and identified them using published plant keys.

Multi-Faceted Findings
So, what did we learn from this carefully organized scientific study? We learned that the vegetative condition of Eastman Lake is excellent, which, when you think about it, is pretty remarkable considering the number of people who live around the lake and use it for recreation. According to Chute, “The forested and aquatic natural plant communities are intact and thriving, forming a consistent and homogenous flora along the entire shoreline.” He also commented on the good diversity of plant species, describing it as “almost entirely native and naturally occurring.” Chute made special note of less common native shoreline plants that serve to enhance the diversity of the lake’s flora, including: American Pond Lily, Bladderwort, Fireweed, Purple Flowering Raspberry, Hobblebush, Pin Cherry, Serviceberry, Staghorn Sumac, and American Basswood.

The study did, however, uncover some concerns. The non-native Narrowleaf Cattail has become established in several locations around the lake. Introduced to the eastern United States in the 19th Century, Narrowleaf Cattail can become aggressive, potentially choking out other native aquatic plants such as the Broadleaf Cattail, and reduce navigability on a water body. Because the Narrowleaf Cattail is found in abundance throughout New England, Chute does not suggest we try to eliminate it from Eastman Lake. He does recommend, however, that we monitor its spread in the lake and consider mechanical and other aquatic management options if it becomes a nuisance.

Chute also advises that we monitor certain terrestrial non-natives found on the shoreline, including Coltsfoot, Yellow Loosestrife, and Highbush Cranberry. The perennial herb Coltsfoot was imported from Europe for its medicinal properties. It cannot tolerate shade, but in the open it can quickly take over large areas. Yellow Loosestrife and Highbush Cranberry are cultivated plants that likely spread to the shoreline from nearby gardens. Both plants propagate by underground rhizomes and can be invasive if left unchecked.

Chute also spotted Glossy Buckthorn in a couple of locations. Fortunately, Eastman volunteer David Wood and other volunteers from ECA’s Woodlands and Wildlife Committee have been battling this invasive non-native on an ongoing basis. This group has also been attempting to reduce the impact of phragmites throughout our community.

Preservation of Value
Eastman’s lakeshore is in excellent condition but does require attentive stewardship in the years to come. To encourage our vigilance and continued monitoring, the results of the 2016 shoreline study have been shared with the ECA Board of Directors and management and were also presented at a joint meeting of the Enfield, Grantham, and Springfield Conservation Commissions held in February at The Center at Eastman.

Carr has also prepared a comprehensive report of the project, which combines Chute’s narrative and plant list with Orkin’s photographic record of each of the sites studied. This document will be available in summer 2017 at ecfnh.org and will serve as a valuable record of the health of our lake and shoreline. Periodic reviews of these sites will help ensure that Eastman’s jewel of a lake shines brilliantly for generations to come.

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Jeanne West is a trustee of the Eastman Charitable Foundation. A full-time resident of Eastman for 20 years, she is a Council Representative and also serves as vice chair of Deeryard Special Place.

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