Current
Projects
FALL 2010 CLEANUP
The ILWA fall cleanup will be held from 9am to noon on Saturday, November 6th. Please meet at Morgan Park at 9am.
DRAWDOWN WINTER 2010/2011
The ILWA board voted unamimously at its September meeting to keep the winter draw down at 4 feet verticle for a second year. The lake has been brought to 6 feet verticle for many years with a few exceptions. It has been instrumental in helping with excessive growth of non native invasive weeds and reducing the need for chemical treatments.
Member concerns with fish spawning led the ILWA to try the lessor draw down for the 2009/2010 season. At this time, there has been no reported increase in weed activity (although it is acknowledged that we have discovered a new invasive weed recently) and it so far appears that there has been an slight increase in fish spawning and development.
Thus we will recommend the 4 foot draw down for a second year and continue to monitor the affect.
NEW WEED DISCOVERED
The ILWA has recently discovered a new invasive weed primarily along the shoreline of the Grove Street/ Indian Lake Parkway area. It is Phragmites australis, more commonly known as 'Common Reed'. This tall perennial can reach 16' high and has a silky flower head that may be purplish or white. It has a very large root system that can be extremely difficult to pull out. We are currently researching ways to manage this weed. More information can be found at:
Common Reed
HELP NEEDED
Our dear friend and board member, Herb Adams, has had some health issues over the summer. Our board and volunteers have worked to fill his enormous shoes in his absence. Amongst the many things Herb is committed to, he does the mowing, trimming, planting and watering at: Morgan Park, Hapgood-Brooks Memorial (intersection of Grove and Holden Streets) and Frostholm Memorial (across from Strand's Ski Shop).
Many thanks to Mikey and Mike Sloan for mowing Morgan Park this summer; Lincoln MacDonald and friends for their help with Frostholm Memorial and Bob Gates and the Proko Family for their assistance with Hapgood-Brooks Memorial.
Anyone that can help with mowing, weeding, watering or just picking up litter on occasion when they go by would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you and please keep Herb in your prayers.
CLEANUPS
The ILWA holds spring and fall clean ups of the parks surrounding Indian Lake. Dates and times will be posted on this website as soon as they become available. ILWA members can be found on any given day dedicating their time to keep our neighborhood beautiful. Look for Bob Gates working on the newly adopted sidewalk and overgrown area along Norton Drive between Shore Drive and West Boylston Street or taking down dead branches and removing brush at any number of locations. Watch for Herb Adams who does maintenance at Frostholm Memorial, Hapgood Brooks Memorial and Morgan Park in his 'spare' time at 80+!! George Ford can be seen tending to the barrels at the corner of Forest and Grove Streets.
Keep your eye out for ALL our dedicated volunteers!!
LAKE SAFETY
Please do not hesitate to contact the Worcester Police Department if you see illegal activities happening at the parks surrounding the lake and the Environmental Police in regards to reckless driving and improper use of boats or personal watercraft on the lake. In these times of limited resources, it is critical that we all play a part in ensuring our lake is as safe as it can be.
WPI PROJECT PUTS FOCUS ON LITTLE INDIAN
Little Indian Lake is located on the south side of Route 122A near Indian Lake in Worcester. The small water body was cut off from the larger main body of Indian Lake many years ago when the state reconstructed Route 122A without installing the proper pass through for the water to transition between the large and small body of water. Without a continuous flow of water, the lake becomes stagnant and has endured an ongoing problem with weeds such as Duckweed, Watermeal and algae.
The lake is half on City of Worcester land and half on the abutter properties. From 1979 to 2008, abutters contributed more than $47,000 for weed treatments in which chemicals such as ACT, Diquat, Copper Sulphate and Sonar were used for weed and algae control. The Indian Lake Watershed Association (ILWA) contributes a share as an abutter each time treatment is required to help offset the cost.
The ILWA and Little Indian abutters have employed companies such as Aquatic Control Technologies and Lycott Environmental for treatments over the years however the problems appear to be getting worse. In the past two years Lycott Environmental used a containment boom to provide more targeted treatment which has helped but still not a long term solution.
Little Indian Lake was in need of a current diagnostic/feasibility study that characterized the existing conditions of the water body, wildlife and surrounding watershed that may be impacting the lake conditions and recommendations for future management and options for the long term health of this water body.
We were very fortunate, under the direction of Professor Chickery Kasouf, to have three enthusiastic and professional WPI juniors choose Little Indian for their Interative Qualifying Project which is designed to link technology and society. Victoria Mason, Evan Costa and Christian Waller spent nearly 6 months researching Little Indian and submitted a full report on the data they collected and recommendations for improvements to the water body. While their purpose was educational, not scientific, it is an excellent resource for future lake management.
Their presentation can be found here.
The fulll study can be found here.
CATHOLICS GOING GREEN KICKS OFF WITH ILWA
An ILWA representative was invited to St. George’s Catholic Church in April to kickoff their series ‘Catholics Going Green’. Beth Proko spoke to a group of parishners about the efforts of the ILWA, watershed protection and what they can do to help protect our watershed.
Thank you to ILWA board member John Paul Morosy and the St. George community for this wonderful opportunity!
The full presentation can be found here.
WORCESTER STATE STUDENTS CONNECTED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE
Beth also had the opportunity to speak at the Public and Community Relations class taught by longtime ILWA board member, Kevin O’Sullivan, at Worcester State College this past spring. Included in the presentation about community service were the many successful projects undertaken by the ILWA.
These wonderful opportunities provide great forums to share our successes but also to inspire others to give back to the community they live in.
LAKE LEVEL ADJUSTMENT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR ANALYSIS OF FISH POPULATION
To combat the effects of invasive non-native weeds and minimize the environmental impact of their management, the ILWA began working with the City of Worcester many years ago to conduct an annual drawdown. By reducing the water level in the winter months, exposed weeds are killed off by the frost and many of the remaining weeds are caught up in the ice and pulled out. It has been a win-win both for recreational use and environmentally.
This past year, several members that are fishing enthusiasts raised concerns over how the drawdown may affect the fish population. Thus the winter of 2009-2010, the lake level was reduced to 4 foot vertical instead of the usual 6 feet vertical. This fall, we will be evaluating the success of this change with our fishing community and weed spotters.
SHORE PARK
After the City of Worcester budget crisis forced the closing of several pools and beaches this summer, a partnership has emerged which has brought a rainbow of opportunity to Shore Park. The former Heald's Beach was purchased by the City of Worcester in 1987. It has long been known for it's barbed wire fence which surrounds this public space. Most years the public was only allowed access for 6 weeks when the city was able to provide lifeguards. Pat Pavini ran the Indian Lake Yacht Club out of the facility for 15 years with much success, however, if you weren't a sailor, this still didn't offer you access to this facility.
Recently a cooperative agreement has brought about much change for this beautiful 6.8 acre property which will hopefully ensure it's long term care and greater access for all.
License agreements between the City of Worcester, the Greendale YMCA and Bancroft School have been finalized. Under a 3 year agreement, the YMCA will manage Shore Park including providing certified life guards, swimming lessons and possibly in the future kayak or sailing lessons again. Bancroft School will maintain the facility.
Volunteers from the ILWA, the Y, Bancroft, St. John's, friends, neighbors and more worked tirelessly to prepare the park to open again to the public.
We are blessed to have these generous organizations who so willingly stepped up to the plate to help.
Stop and visit the new Shore Park... a city of Worcester parks facility that is finally getting the attention it so deserves.
WATER QUALITY MONITORING
The Indian Lake Watershed
Association began monthly water
quality monitoring as part
of the requirements for the
319 grant combined with our
efforts with the Blackstone
Headwaters Monitoring Team
two years ago. This combined
with our watershed wide survey
allowed us to document key
things that may be negatively
impacting the lake quality
and helped us to develop a
long term plan for water improvements.
Now that the monitoring is
no longer a requirement of
the grant, we have reduced
the testing to twice a year.
Things that we test for include
temperature, Ph, dissolved
oxygen, turbidity, phosphates
and nitrates.
While these terms may not
make you want to run out and
get involved, let me explain
to you some of the important
reasons why you should.
Oxygen is necessary for
all forms of life. If the dissolved
oxygen (DO) level is
too low in a water body,
the aquatic life is put under
stress. Low DO levels have
been known to cause massive
fish kills in a matter of
hours!
There is a saying that
’green lawns mean green lakes’.
High levels of nitrates and phosphates from
fertilizers applied within
the watershed can enter the
water system, accelerate
the plant growth and contribute
to algae blooms. While aquatic
plants are an important component
of lake systems, providing
food and shelter for bugs,
fish and other organisms
as well as providing shoreline
erosion control, any conditions
that harm such a balanced
environment can potentially
destroy thousands of organisms
and aquatic life that lives
there.
Indian Lake is also the headwaters
of the Blackstone Canal whose
ongoing revival has been celebrated
from Worcester to Providence.
The improvements we make will
ultimately have an impact on
these efforts too! As we can
continue to track data after
the installation of
the BMPs, we should be able
to see a very clear pattern
of improvement at the sites
they are installed and be able
to use this to leverage monies
for more of them to be put
into place.
We are learning too! There
are many tests that are not
difficult but we need more
people to train. Even dropping
off a water sample from one
of the designated points helps!
The more people we can get
to help with collecting samples
and/or testing, the quicker
the process goes, we can continue
collecting this data and building
on our success.
We are currently monitoring
locations in spring and fall
only. The more people we can
get to either pick up a water
sample or learn to run these
tests, the better.
For information on how you
can help, contact Kim McCoy
at mcbstone@yahoo.com or Beth Proko
at 508-856-9598.
SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET GIVES ILWA A BOOST
Massachusetts State Representatives
Bob Spellane and Jim Leary took
the initiative to file an amendment
to the state supplemental budget
for the benefit of the Indian
Lake Watershed Association to
assist the many community projects
we are in the midst of. The amendment
for $25,000 (!!) was approved
by the House of Representatives
in late October. It then had
to go before the Senate for approval.
Without hesitation, Senator
Chandler took the ball and lobbied
her counterparts in the Senate
to support this initiative and
it also passed.
We are so very fortunate to
have the attention and support
of these wonderful individuals.
Their commitment to our organization
and our community is truly remarkable.
Please take the time to pass
on your thanks and support to
Representatives Spellane and
Leary and Senator Chandler!
These monies had to be allocated and spent before June 30, 2007. A full report has been submitted to the state. Items we were able to fund with these monies include:
Remaining items at Frostholm Memorial.
2007 aquatic management programs for Indian Lake and Little Indian.
Full lake copper sulphate algae treatment at Indian Lake.
Sediment characterization at four points around Indian Lake with the highest priorities being the locations where underground sedimentation basins have been installed to limit entry of new sediment into the lake. This is in preparation for future dredging of built up sediment.
Water monitoring equipment.
ALGAE TREATMENTS
We have had significant algae
issues at Indian Lake for the
past several years. While some
algae blooms are normal, the
shallowness of the lake due to
excessive sediment build up,
and foreign matter entering the
lake have increased the amount
of algae.
We have always limited chemical
treatments of Indian Lake unless
absolutely necessary. We work
with Aquatic Control Technology
to identify our options for lake
management each year.
We have treated for algae in
the past with copper sulphate
in a split treatment on the lake.
However, the last couple of times
we did this, there was not a
significant improvement.
In June of 2007, Aquatic Control did a full lake algae treatment with copper sulphate. While an immediate change was not noted, we are continuing to monitor the clarity throughout the summer.
BOAT RAMP
Due to budget and organization
changes, the awaited plans for
a proposed boat ramp at Shore
Park have not transpired as of
yet, however, the design stage
is imminent. The Department of
Fish & Game Fishing & Boating
Access Division will be doing
the project design in house.
With the onset of this plan, we are hoping to inspire the parks department to work with ILWA and neighbors to develop a long term master plan for this facility which will improve public access. We will keep you informed of meetings to discuss these plans.
Completed
Projects
FROSTHOLM MEMORIAL RESTORATION PROJECT
The Indian Lake Watershed Association
(ILWA) members have long cared
for the Frostholm Memorial located
on West Boylston Street in Worcester
near the on and off ramps to
Route 190 across from Strand’s
Ski Shop. Our efforts have
included mowing, annual plantings
and the donation and installation
of a flagpole and evergreen tree
at this highly visible location.
The memorial is approximately
1 acre in size with a large stone
memorial in the center. The few
remaining veteran’s names were
removed from the memorial several
years ago after the display case
deteriorated. Working with the
support the City of Worcester
Veteran’s Services and Worcester
Parks and Recreation Department,
the ILWA has recently undertaken
the project of researching the
names of the World War II Veteran’s
from this Greendale neighborhood
that were originally honored
with this memorial as well as
enhancing the area surrounding
it. Some consideration is also
underway for expanding the memorial
to honor neighborhood veterans
from WWII to today.
The Parks and Recreation Department
worked with the ILWA to develop
a plan to rehabilitate the entire
memorial island as part of this
effort. The rehabilitation project
includes: enhancing the landscape
of the entire Frostholm Memorial
island; installation of over
1100 square feet of brick pathways
from West Boylston Drive, where
there is on street parking, leading
to the memorial and flagpole;
installation of benches and one
permanent trash receptacle; installation
of a new display case; restoration
of the original World War II
Veteran’s names; and, addition
of a large plaque on the back
of the memorial with the name
inscribed so approaching vehicles
on West Boylston Street can identify
it.
Individuals and Businesses Make Project a HUGE Success!
After a few setbacks such as heavy rains in the fall, we are please to report that the Frostholm Memorial Restoration project is in full swing. Here are the things we have accomplished so far:
John Jolin of Jolin Paving and Excavating donated his time and equipment to dig out over 1100 square feet of pathway.
Richard Balderelli of Balderelli Brothers in West Boylston donated over 40 tons of gravel for our pathway base.
John Sansoucy of Sansoucy Stone donated the bricks, edging and over 8 tons of stone dust.
Saint Gobain Corporation Foundation awarded a grant in the amount of $2500 to assist with signage and plant installation.
Frost Manufacturing is graciously helping with signage and name tags.
We have commitments from four sponsors to cover the costs of park benches: Worcester Fitness, Chadwick Food Mart, Ramstrom’s Service Center and Hoey Tire Co.
ILWA board members and veterans Herb Adams and Bob Gates are building the approximately 6 foot by 8 foot display case by hand which will house the veteran’s names.
Over the winter, board members worked with local veterans sorting through thousands of names to re-create the list of neighborhood WW II veteran’s that were originally honored with this memorial.
Old plantings that originally surrounded the memorial were removed and items that could be saved were transplanted to Nelson Place Elementary School in preparation for over $5000 of new plants and bushes that are being donated by the Nathaniel Wheeler Trust.
On May 13th, over 30 students, teachers and parents from St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury worked with ILWA volunteers in the pouring rain to install the base and begin the pathway build.
Taylor Rental was kind enough to donate the compactor to use for the pathway installation.
Baystate Hardware offered a reduced price on rakes for the project.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who helped. It is truly humbling to see how everyone has come together to make this happen. It could not have happened without each and every one of you!
The Frostholm Memorial Ribbon cutting was held on Saturday, May 5th, 2007. This wonderful event was coordinated by Karen Greenwood of the City of Worcester Veteran's Services and Rob Antonelli of the City of Worcester Parks & DPW. It included several speakers, the Vernon Hill Post #435 Color Guard and of course many of our local veterans and neighbors.
If you know of a neighborhood Veteran whose name has been missed, please fill out the form below and send it in. We will include it when we make our next update. Since the names were lost, gathering the names will be an ongoing process for some time.
Veteran Form
Thank you to all!
Frostholm Memorial "Before" ................................................... and "After".
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 319 NON POINT SOURCE POLLUTION PROGRAM
In the fall of 2001, the Indian Lake Watershed Association, working in cooperation with the City of Worcester Department of Public Works (DPW), was awarded a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Program grant. The goal of this grant was to substantially reduce sediment, phosphorus and other contaminants from entering Indian Lake through the implementation of watershed Best Management Practices (BMPs). A form of sedimentation basin was designed and scheduled to be installed at four locations determined to be the most critical points of contaminant loading around the lake. The total project budget of $437,900 also included monitoring the water quality pre and post installation of the BMPs, repairs to the dam impounding Indian Lake, educational outreach and implementation of an innovative weed replacement program to combat invasive weeds in the water body. $253,000 of these monies came from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). $184,900 were to be in the form of monies raised, in-kind services and volunteer work.
Michael Zylich, the ILWAs Special Projects Manager, took the initiative in preparing and coordinating the majority of this grant which took the better part of a ream of paper for each copy!
On March 26th, 2002, Jane Pierce, Program Coordinator for DEP and Matt Labovites, then Director of Sewer Operations for DPW, finalized the required paperwork for the grant process to begin. After this time, all monies received through memberships and grants, volunteer work and in kind services received pertaining to the project started counting as a dollar value towards our match until the completion of the grant.
This grant is especially important because it paves the road for significant opportunity at Indian Lake. Over the past 50 years, development within the watershed has increased dramatically which has caused increased water quality problems. Six to seven foot deltas of sedimentation can be seen at some of the most critical inlets to the lake. By reducing the flow of sediment, we can begin to look at removal of the built up material, thereby significantly improving water quality and increasing both wildlife and recreational opportunities.
As part of the 319 Nonpoint
Source Pollution Grant Program, the
high volume underground sedimentation
catch basins (also known as BMP's)
were installed near Nelson Place,
Huntington Avenue and Sherbourne
Avenue in the fall of 2005. These devices
will begin trapping much of the
sediment and foreign runoff that
is entering Indian Lake.
Unfortunately, when the bids
came in on these systems, the
cost was more than was expected.
Even with a shuffle of some of
our 319 funds and the elimination of one, we were not able
to adequately fund the remaining three.
Matt Labovites, Assistant DPW
Commissioner, and his staff did
a lot of fancy footwork and were
able to come up with the difference
through the City's stormwater management
budget. We are very fortunate
to have these folks working on
our side!
Once we are able to measure
the success of the systems, it
should open the door for additional funding
for installation
of more BMP systems and in
the long term, dredging of excessive sediment
that has accumulated and deteriorated
the quality of the lake.
Some of the other notable items which we accomplished during the 3 year grant cycle are noted on the Watershed Protection page of this website. Our ILWA volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes attending monthly status meetings and preparing quarterly reports in addition to all the grant objectives. This website is a important piece of our educational outreach inspired by the grant.
Our group is honored and privileged to work with Matt Labovites and his staff at the City of Worcester Department of Public Works. They really went above and beyond to ensure the success of this project. Together, we demonstrated a significant cooperative partnership between the city and a non profit organization which should be commended.
And, to Jane Pierce and the Department of Environmental Protection, our sincere thanks for having the confidence in our organization and ideas. This opportunity has been so significant for Indian Lake as well as our association and the City of Worcester. We applaud the efforts of this DEP for their vision and hard work.
