The Harvey Lake Watershed Association depends on volunteers to keep it operating. Our three main ways of protecting our lake are by: 1. Participation in the Lake Host program; 2. Testing our water quality through the Volunteer Lake Assessment Program (VLAP); and 3. Weed Watchers, who go out in their boats and kayaks once a month in summer and look for signs of invasive species. Can you help? Click on the CONTACT link above.

Cyanobacteria advisory

Harvey Lake is currently under a cyanobacteria advisory issued by the state on Sept. 9, 2020. This has been complicated by extremely low water levels caused by our drought conditions. What we’re experiencing is not unusual. In fact, in the 18 years that I have lived on the lake, we have had at least two other significant droughts that have impacted our lake similarly. The date of the last significant cyanobacteria advisory was in summer of 2009.

This year, the state has issued cyanobacteria advisories for 20 lakes and ponds in New Hampshire. Last year, more than 30 advisories were issued. The state will continue to test our lake and remove the advisory as soon as the levels subside. The time for the advisories on other lakes has varied, with the average being about two weeks. In the interim, we ask that you do not swim, wade or allow your pets in the lake. Blooms are particularly harmful to pets and small children.

Recently, I along with members of our association visited other lakes in our area and noticed that their water levels are also down close to 2 feet, in some cases, which is hard to imagine.

As a watershed association, our biggest priority is to preserve the health and vitality of Harvey Lake. We can do this only through our members. We are a voluntary association, and we need you to help us accomplish our mission. When you see the dues letters mailed later this month, please join us in protecting this resource.

We continue to seek a solution to our low water levels. An inspection report completed last fall by the state indicates our dam is breached. We continue to seek a solution through the state and town for the control of water through our lake. Unfortunately for us, the state and the town have not shown any interest in providing us with a long term solution for the condition of the dam.

I can assure you that the lake will come back with appreciable rainfall and hopefully lots of winter snow, as it has in the past.

Thank you,

Jamie Walker
President
Harvey Lake Watershed Association

How to get in contact with your directors

  The Harvey Lake Watershed Association at their annual meeting Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, elected  officers and directors for the coming two years.

​President: Jamie Walker
jwalker@yusen.com

Vice President: David Kerkhoff


Secretary: Kim Mitzel


Treasurer: Vacant

Lake Host Coordinator: Kim Mitzel


Weed Watcher Captain: David Kerkhoff


Water Quality Coordinator: Jennifer Boulanger


Immediate Past President: Bob Charest
 

At Large Director: Maggie Kerkhoff


At Large Director: Russ Lubik


At Large Director: Steve Lucey


At Large Director: Regina Walker

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Please click on the icon at right for a 23-page
report on Harvey Lake's Beach and Boat ramp,
including a discussion of what we can do as
an association to improve the area.

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                          A dedication to our founder

                         Minutes of previous meetings

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Please click on this photo

to see how a major rain

event affects the

beach/boat ramp.

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Some scenes from past years:

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Click on the photo below to watch a clip of Harvey Lake in Northwood, New Hampshire on the Fourth of July, 2017.

LABOR DAY, 2015: This photograph signals the passing of another season. The American flag has been removed from the boulder that sits in Harvey Lake. (The red and white pole in the background is the marine marker.) The flag is a landmark for people passing by on Route 4 in Northwood. If you look closely, you can see the hole that was drilled in the boulder years ago to hold the flagpole. The flag usually flies in our lake Memorial Day to Labor Day each year.

Sunday

morning

on Harvey Lake

NICE DAY FOR EVERYONE: The ducks enjoyed the lake on Thursday, July 10, 2014. A few humans did, too.

WELCOME TO SUMMER 2014: Seen on the lake on Sunday, July 6, a sailor passes people in an inflatable boat.

Sept. 29, 2013: Another season comes to an end

Now there's something you don't see everyday ... Out on Harvey Lake on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013, this paddleboard enthusiast brought his dog along. They went around a good part of the lake, and the dog seemed pretty content being there.

Testing, testing, testing ....

That's Karen Smith, our longtime water quality coordinator, testing the water at the inlet to Harvey Lake, on Aug. 4, 2013. Karen served the lake for many years in many capacities until she moved to Vermont. We continue to test the water three times each summer, as part of the state's Volunteer Lake Assessment Program (VLAP). The water is tested at the inlet on Harmony Road, the outlet at the dam, located just off Harvey Lake Road, and at the deep spot of the lake, which is located just off the south of the peninsula in the center of the lake. We are checking several conditions, including phosphorous levels and water clarity. 

Memorial Day, 2013

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Scenes from a morning on the lake, Monday, Memorial Day, May 27, 2013. At right, a turtle basks in the sun behind Northwood Congregational Church; below left, fishermen try their luck in the area near the flag (which is once again flying proudly on our lake); and below right, a mother duck and her four ducklings (I'm told that this family began as 13 ducklings - It's not easy raising a family on the lake.)

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What a difference a few weeks make ... This was Harvey Lake in Northwood, New Hampshire, on April 5, 2013.

The photo at left was taken Sunday morning on April 28, 2013. Ice-out usually comes for our lake the first or second week of April.