We had an e-mail from Terry Powers on Island Drive as follows:


atpowers2@aol.com wrote: Jane, can I ask for your help again. Who might I contact concerning mold or vegetation that has been flowing in the pond? In the years that I have been here (which is four) I have never seen it before. Terry Powers

I forwarded Terry's question to both Ray Richer, water quality director for JPA, and Jamie Dimick,who works with the Lay Monitoring Program of the Water Quality Division of ANR. We've had quick responses from both:

Hi everyone,

I have sent a report of your sighting Terry on to Ashley Carver (DNR) and she is going to get back to me about having someone from the State come to look at the problem, plus we will gather a sampling and send it and photo on to them. We thank Terry for his attentiveness to our ponds health!! We will stay in touch on this…

Blessings, Evelyn Richer (for Ray)

Hello All,

If this is the dark green "clumps" floating on the surface water - I think this may be an algae that normally grows on the lake bottom in shallow sunny areas. This time of year, it is easily released from the lake bottom by agitation and floats around on the surface. This is not attractive - but harmless and I believe it to be very normal.

I'll include Amy (VT Water Quality Div) on this e-mail string. Amy may not have an answer, unless she sees the growth.

Jamie Dimick

With all the boating/water skiing/jet skiing going on and concentrated in that area (behind the islands), I guess things get pretty well stirred up.

On a calmer note - this is what the beginning of another hot day at Joe's Pond looked like early this morning. Diane Rossi sent this photo of the loon family enjoying a quiet swim. That sun looks hot, even at that early hour. Thanks, Diane. Stay cool like the loons, everyone!