Weed Spraying

On 9/5 and 9/16/24, in accordance with an Order of Conditions issued by the Dracut Conservation Commission, a licensed contractor applied the herbicide Imazamox to 10 acres of the pond to kill waterlilies.

This follows a similar application of this herbicide last fall, which was very successful.

See more on the "Weeds" tab.

Summer Meeting on Sunday, August 18, at 4 PM at the american Legion (downstairs)

PPGA Meeting

Agenda items include late summer/early fall waterlily spraying

Have you seen some slimy green stuff?

Some neighbors (particularly near the west beach) have seen this stuff floating in patches on the water. The bad news: it's gross. The good news: it appears to be Green Filamentous Algae, which is harmless

Filamentous Algae is common in New England ponds and lakes, and usually shows up mid July following a heat wave. It is string-like/slimy/gelatinous, with embedded bubbles (usually oxygen from photosynthesis) that makes it buoyant. The hot summer with little rainfall likely made it more abundant and noticeable than in years past.

Importantly, testing of this stuff and the water near where it is floating has indicated that it is NOT Cyanobacteria, which is a good thing.

For more info, see the following Fact Sheet:

https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/bb-65.pdf

2024 Block Party/Fundraiser

On Saturday, July 27th, PPGA hosted its third annual block party/fundraiser at the west community beach. It was a beautiful, sunny day.

The turnout was great, and the crowd was generous. PPGA is a 100% volunteer organization, and all the money we raise (minus the stuff we have to buy) goes into our bank account, to fund beach maintenance, water testing, and our number one priority: weed control and mitigation.

The kids had a great time, from face painting to a series of games (with trophies!). The adults enjoyed the food, beverages, and company.... and the corn hole games. And the kayak races were once again a thrill-a-minute. Congrats to the winners!

Special thanks to Christa, Joanne, Carole, Maggie and Pam for their planning and execution of this special event; to Nick for being the DJ and master of ceremonies; all who donated raffle items; and everyone who helped make this day a success.

Select photos of the event are provided below.

july 4, 2024 bOAT PARADE!

HERBICIDE APPlICATION Report

June 26, 2024

Click to download report

June 2024

There will be a herbicide application into the pond on Wednesday, June 26th. This application is further described in the Notice of Intent PPGA filed with the Dracut Conservation Commission, and available on our website in the "Weeds" tab.

In short, we will be treating 10-acres of the pond with a chemical called diquat, to kill submerged weeds, including coontail, bladderwort, and the invasive curly-leaf pondweed. While there are no required restrictions on normal pond activities (i.e., boating, fishing, or swimming), the pond water should not be used to water lawns for 3 days, or 5 days to water vegetable gardens.

If you are out in the lake, please give the applicator boat some space (50 yards). Lastly, to be extra cautious, it would make sense to keep pets from drinking the water for a few days (even though that is not a requirement in state regulation nor would the levels in the pond be expected to harm them).

NOTE - HERBICIDE APPlICATION

Annual Meeting

Sunday, May 19th at 4 PM

American Legion (Basement) on 574 Broadway Road

On the agenda:

Weeds (spraying/hydro-raking)

Beavers/water levels

Beaches

Summer party

Please bring your checkbook - Annual dues are $100

Second Herbicide Application Completed on August 23, 2023 and September 15, 2023

See Weeds Section for more details

There will be a herbicide application into the pond on Wednesday, August 23rd. This is the second application of the summer (the first being on June 6th, to treat submerged weeds). The application on the 23rd is to address the waterlilies. This application is further described in the Notice of Intent PPGA filed with the Dracut Conservation Commission, and available on our website in the "Weeds" tab.

In short, we will be treating 10-acres of the pond with a chemical called Imazamox. This herbicide is sprayed directly on the floating waterlilies by boat. The spraying will be accomplished by Water and Wetland, LLC, who is licensed by the state to apply this herbicide.

While there are no required restrictions on normal pond activities (i.e., boating, fishing, or swimming), the pond water should not be used for irrigation for at least 24-hours after application.

If you are out in the lake, please give the applicator boat some space (50 yards). Lastly, to be extra cautious, it would make sense to keep pets from drinking the water for a few days (even though that is not a requirement in state regulation nor would the levels in the pond be expected to harm them).

Second Herbicide Application to occur on Wednesday, August 23, 2023

2023 Block Party/Fundraiser

On Sunday, July 30th, PPGA hosted its second annual block party/fundraiser at the west community beach. As befitting this very wet summer, Sunday was the rain date - but the day turned out to be a beauty.

As in 2022, the turnout was great, and the crowd was generous. PPGA is a 100% volunteer organization, and all the money we raise (minus the stuff we have to buy) goes into our bank account, to fund beach maintenance, water testing, and our number one priority: weed control and mitigation.

The kids had a great time, from face painting to a series of games (with trophies!), topped off by a visit to the Shaw's ice cream wagon. The adults enjoyed the food, beverages, and company.... and the corn hole games. And the kayak and canoe races were once again a thrill-a-minute. Congrats to the winners!

Special thanks to Christa, Joanne, Carole, and Pam for their planning and execution of this special event; to Nick for being the DJ and master of ceremonies; Sunset Engravers for the cool tee shirts; Shaw's farm for the ice cream, all who donated raffle items; and everyone who helped make this day a big success.

Select photos of the event are provided below.

Peters Pond Block Party

NOW SUNDAY JULY 30TH AT 1 PM!

Please RSVP - PPGAparty@gmail.com

DJ Nick Keymont

Yeah - it looks like rain on Saturday so we moved it to Sunday

(Consider bringing a chair)

July 4th 2023 Boat Parade!

Herbicide Application Completed on June 6, 2023, between 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM

See Weeds Section for more details

June 2023

There will be a herbicide application into the pond on Tuesday, June 6th. This application is further described in the Notice of Intent PPGA filed with the Dracut Conservation Commission, and available on our website in the "Weeds" tab.

In short, we will be treating 10-acres of the pond with a chemical called diquat, to kill submerged weeds, including coontail, bladderwort, and the invasive curly-leaf pondweed. While there are no required restrictions on normal pond activities (i.e., boating, fishing, or swimming), the pond water should not be used to water lawns for 3 days, or 5 days to water vegetable gardens.

If you are out in the lake, please give the applicator boat some space (50 yards). Lastly, to be extra cautious, it would make sense to keep pets from drinking the water for a few days (even though that is not a requirement in state regulation nor would the levels in the pond be expected to harm them).

The next herbicide application will be in August or September, to kill the waterlilies. See our website for more details.

NOTE - HERBICIDE APPlICATION

PPGA Spring Meeting on June 4th, 2023 at 4 PM at the American Legion on 574 Broadway Ave (Route 113)

2023 Annual Dues ($100) are now being collected. Please pay at the Spring meting or contact the treasurer. Make checks out to "Peters Pond Grove Association"

May 2023

WEEDS! Herbicide application and hydro-raking efforts will occur in June! See Notice of Intent and Order of Condition in "Weed" section for more details

February 2023

On 2/1/23, the Dracut Conservation Commission issued an Order of Conditions to PPGA to implement its proposed weed management program in Peters Pond.

Click below to view the Order of Conditions

January 2023

PPGA has filed a Notice of Intent with the Dracut Conservation Commission to undertake a weed management program in Peters Pond. A public hearing will be held on this proposal on Wednesday February 1, 2023 at 7 PM in the Dracut Town Hall Board of Selectmen Chambers. Click on the link below to view the Notice of Intent.

Weed Report

On September 12, 2022, under contract to PPGA, Senior Environmental Scientist James Lacasse of Water and Wetlands LLC conducted a vegetation survey of Peters Pond.  We have recently received a report of this evaluation, dated October 18, 2022, which is included in the "Weeds" section of this web site. 

A meeting will be scheduled in the near future to discuss the findings and recommendations of this report, and PPGA's efforts to secure a permit from the Dracut Conservation Commission to implement a series of actions to address the weed problem in the lake.

Block Party/Fundraiser

On Saturday, August 6th, 2022, PPGA hosted a block party/fundraiser at the west community beach.

It was a beautiful day and a great time was had by the 70+ residents and friends who stopped by to enjoy the food, games, and good company. The generosity of the party goers, with respect to raffles and donations, went way-way beyond expectations, and a big thanks to all. The money obtained will go a long way toward our goal of addressing our number one priority: weed control.

From face painting, to three-legged races, to the ice-cream truck parked nearby, the kids had a blast. And who knew some of the older kids could paddle a canoe and kayak so fast? Congrats to those who won a coveted Peters Pond championship oar.

Special thanks to Christa, Joanne, Carol, Natalie and Pam for their planning and execution of this special event; to Nick for being the DJ and master of ceremonies; to all who donated raffle items; and everyone who helped make this day a big sucess.

Select photos of the event are provided below.