Annual Meeting Notice: LOPA’s 2024 annual meeting of members will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 7PM at in Room 203, Pittsfield City Hall. LOPA members alternatively can register to participate in the hybrid meeting remotely via ZOOM by emailing Sarah Dinan (sdinan.lopa@gmail.com) in advance of the meeting. The meeting is open to all current LOPA members. If you are yet to renew your membership in 2024, you can remedy that by clicking here. An agenda for the meeting can be found here.
Cyanobacteria: Good news! Regular testing detected no potentially harmful cyanobacteria blooms at Onota Lake this year. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for next year.
Eurasian Milfoil: More good news. The ProcellaCOR treatment last June was very successful at controlling Eurasian milfoil this year. A September survey by Solitude found several pockets of regrowth, especially surrounding Thomas Island and the southwest cove, which the City plans to address with spots treatments next spring. Hopefully, we are on track for good multiyear control of this nuisance invasive species. LOPA intends to contract for a survey next summer to assess the state of native aquatic plant population, which has rebounded well in the wake of this new approach to milfoil control.
Zebra Mussels: We need your help! In the past year, various evidence of zebra mussels has been found in the general area surrounding the boat ramp at Burbank Park: two positive eDNA detections, several zebra mussel shells, and one live zebra mussel. The City, state agencies, and LOPA continue to monitor the situation to determine the best course of action. Meanwhile, boaters can do their part by adhering to recommended Clean, Drain, and Dry procedures. Property owners can also help out by inspecting docks, boats, and other structures, and reporting any evidence to the City by emailing Jim McGrath (jmcgrath@cityofpittsfield.org). Useful information for recreational users and property owners on monitoring and prevention can be found here.
Geese: Yuck. Canada geese continue to be a nuisance and goose droppings are a potential health hazard around Onota Lake. Advice on living with geese from Mass Wildlife can be found here.
