Dear Friends of Lake Waramaug,
Our natural surroundings assume such an important place in our lives at times like these, reminding us that there is actually order in this newly chaotic and unpredictable world. Prime among them is the Lake; our beautiful Lake Waramaug. We swim in it, boat on it, walk, run and cycle around it and just take it in from afar. It’s always there, permanent through all its moods; a sanctuary in difficult times.
Early data would say the Lake made it through the winter healthy and ready for the summer. But this winter was unprecedented; there was little ice cover and in general the temperature of both air and water were way above average. Now the unusually cold and dreary spring adds further uncertainty. It’s hard to tell where these events may take us.
Whatever the conditions, you may rest assured that we at the Task Force will do everything in our power to get on the water to monitor the conditions and react to what we find. How? By testing, testing, testing; then by adjusting the times that our aerators and diffusers are on, by changing the amounts and timing of the release of zooplankton from our facility on Arrow Point, and by optimizing the schedules of our biologists and divers to capture and remove invasive plants from the Lake. In the past we have enjoyed inviting interested folks to join us on our monitoring excursions; this year social distancing precautions will probably limit participation in these tours, a fact that we truly regret.
Regrettable too, is the idea that we will almost certainly have to cancel our fundraising events. While we know that there are many worthy organizations vying for your attention and contributions at this time, we also are in serious need of your generosity. There is so much work to be done and if we take our foot off the pedal now we risk beginning to revert to earlier unpleasant conditions.
Please keep us in your thoughts as you plan your charitable giving, so that we can continue our work. Our sanctuary depends upon it.
Peary Stafford
Chair, Lake Waramaug Task Force