A Letter From The Executive Committee

Posted: May 27, 2010 in General Announcements

We are proud to announce several new initiatives and developments that are the result of your membership contributions coupled with the hard work of your neighbors and friends who have volunteered their talent and effort for Lake Lillinonah.

Save the Lake Day
Although volunteer turnout was lighter than was hoped for, about sixty people helped fill two 20-yard dumpsters and collected 45 tires last Saturday, May 22.  Also found was a TV set, a car engine, several abandoned docks, along with the usual trash.  Word has it that this was the best-organized Save the Lake Day yet.  Our sincere thanks to all who showed up, and especially to the Save-The Lake Day committee who worked so hard, solicited so many donations, and made the day a great success.  The committee members are Alexis and Jim Hawley (chairpersons), Warren Mino, Steve Bowman, Kathy Berg, Barbara Petriccione, Laurie and John Pastor and Alex and Shannon Young.  GREAT job, all!  We also sincerely thank our sponsors, and encourage you to support them in return: The Lake Lillinonah Authority, Candlewood Carting, I-95 (the HOME of Rock ‘n’ Roll), Shoprite, Stew Leonard’s, Wines and Such, Big Y, Subway of Brookfield/Danbury, Subway of New Milford, Dunkin’ Donuts, Walmart and Rocco’s Restaurant.

Electronic Data monitoring:
FOTL is in the process of deploying automatic electronic data monitoring sensors to measure water quality parameters including lake elevation, dissolved oxygen content, water temperature, acidity (pH), conductivity (measure of total ions in the water), and chlorophyll fluorescence (measure of how much algae is present).  In addition, weather data including wind speed, wind direction, sunlight intensity, rainfall amount, relative humidity, and air temperature will be captured and recorded.  This continually recorded data will be available to scientists from around the world through the GLEON network (Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network).  Lake Lillinonah will be the first Lake in CT to share this technology via the GLEON network with scientists from around the world.  FOTL is determined to supply real-time and historical data to assist a variety of groups that are interested in limnology studies in general and with problems specific to Lake Lillinonah in particular, including cyanobacteria (toxic algae) blooms, causes of debris fields, and the general health of the flora and fauna of the lake.

Improved and interactive website
Much of the data captured by Friends of the Lake will be displayed on our newly updated website (www. FriendsOfTheLake.org).  Friends of the Lake will display and store all data captured, make it available to the public, and offer interactive displays useful to visitors of Lake Lillinonah.  For instance, real-time water level data will be displayed.  A high water level (above 195.5’ NGVD) will warn potential visitors of the Lake that there is a strong possibility of dangerous floating debris.
Please visit now and often, and let us know if you have any thoughts on how we can improve the site.

iPhone Application for reporting debris
Friends of the Lake is launching an iPhone application that will be used to help the recording and reporting of debris sightings and other issues related to Lake Lillinonah.  With this application, you can take a picture of any condition on the lake.  Along with that picture, the application will automatically record the date and time, photographer, GPS location and description (if entered).  This information will easily upload to our new website.  We will archive these pictures to develop an historical record, available to the general public.  This record, combined with other data captured by FOTL sensors, will help memorialize and determine the causes of the severe debris fields, algae blooms, and other conditions of concern on Lake Lillinonah.

Public Relations
Friend of the Lake has hired a Public Relations firm, CaseyInk, LLC, to help get the word out about our mission and accomplishments.  They have done a great job already, with articles and interviews in a variety of media including NPR, Associated Press, the Hartford Courant, Forbes.com, the Newtown Bee and Danbury News-Times, plus others.  Keep and eye and ear out for more to come!

Have a safe summer, enjoy the lake, and thanks once again for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Your executive committee