Latest Association News

To My Association Members and Friends,

Giving thanks for what we have

Thanksgiving is behind us and 2024 is quickly coming to an end. We have accomplished so much again this year. We have completed our lake reset and three years of lake maintenance. The lake looks better than it has been in many years. We continue to see our association Mission Statement coming true before our eyes. The lake is being used by families and friends more than we have seen in many years. I look out at the lake now and it is beautiful, clear, filled with wildlife and full of hope for the next season.

We have restored our lake to a state we can all be proud of and thankful for. But the work is not done. It will never be done. We have seen variable milfoil back at the end of this summer and fall. It is a reminder that our lake needs constant care and will never be free of Aquatic Invasive Species. But what we have now is control over our destiny.

What we have accomplished

I will continue to remind the association members of what the lake looked like in 2017 - 2020. UGLY!!! This year we controlled weeds as a maintenance project. This means we continue to allow some native weeds to grow back in the spots we want them to and keep other areas clear. That is why you saw lily pads in the middle of the lake this year. We have had these discussions with our partners, Water & Wetlands (W&W) and RIDEM. They will guide us through this process again in 2025.

The association had a busy year as well. Comedy Night, Pasta Dinner/Dance, Earth Day, Fishing Tournament, Fall Cleanup, and Santa; a successful year of fundraising, apparel and plant sales, new sponsors, new members, new association friends, new grants, lake management plan, and water willow management.

I wish to give special thanks to the Board of Directors for their never-ending dedication to our association and the lake. I don't know what I would do without them. Special thanks this year to Frank Ranney for his artistic talents and managing the Barometer. This Barometer sign is our most visible reminder to our Town of our efforts to keep Breezy Lake beautiful. 

Association Budget

In 2024 the association will raise $20,000 in revenue with $16,000 in expenses. The lake treatment costs, insurance costs and security costs were most of our expenses. So, we are starting off 2025 in a positive position again just like last year. However, this does NOT mean we can rest on our accomplishments. We have a full schedule of events for next year to continue raising funds for the maintenance of the lake. Every member needs to work to make the events successful. The Board has decided to keep the membership dues at $40 per member for 2025. Your payment will be due in January. 

Sediment, Phosphorus and Muck

Now that the weeds are gone from the lake, three concerns are sediment, phosphorus and the mucky bottom.  

Sediment (TSS) and Total Phosphorus (TP): Stormwater running off Knotty Oak Rd (Rt 116), Gervais St, Breezy Lake Dr and Pond View Dr is killing our lake. The State of Rhode Island and the Town of Coventry have been funneling stormwater into Upper Dam Pond since the 1960’s. The Town of Coventry and our association were enrolled in the SNEP Network Stormwater Planning Series this past spring. This planning series includes the Environmental Protection Agency, the Town of Coventry, the University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center, Save the Bay and SNEP to design and implement SCM (Stormwater Control Measures) to remove TSS and TP from the stormwater BEFORE it enters the lake. The first site picked was Pond View Dr. This site contains a visible reminder of what “not to do” in stormwater control. The sediment delta at this site in the lake is a constant reminder that without help, our lake will fill in. The Town of Coventry was awarded a SNEP Grant of $87,000. This money will be used to construct two SCM on Pond View Dr. to stop the sediment and filter out the phosphorus BEFORE it gets into the lake. This will be a prototype and could be used Town wide. Construction will start spring 2025.

Muck is a different issue. For muck control W&W is recommending SMR (Sludge and Muck Reducing) Pellets.  The cost would be assumed by the lakefront owner. We recommend using the professional grade SMR and NOT MuckAway found on Amazon. W&W and the association would like to manage what products are being used in the lake.

We are also looking at better controlling the water level of the lake during the winter months. If this works, lakefront owners would be able to remove muck exposed as the water level goes down. Water level would return to normal in the spring. We are still exploring this idea with engineers. More to come later.  

What’s next for 2025

Treatment: We will assess and treat the lake monthly June through September 2025, land and water invasives will be assessed each month. Drone photos will continue to be used to engage lakefront owners.  

Events and Sponsors: Bingo, Comedy Night, Earth Day, Members Meeting & Picnic, Comedy Night, Fishing Tournament, Fall Appreciation Luncheon, Fall Cleanup, and Cookies N Cocoa with Santa are all events planned for next year. The event committee continues to plan these events. Please reach out if you would like to get involved. The Town of Coventry has agreed to sponsor the association’s efforts for 2025 as they did this year. The Town of Coventry has a new Parks & Recreation Director that we will work closely with. We will work with our State Senator and Representative for grants and of course gifts and donations will be encouraged.

The Upper Dam Pond Conservation Association brand and reputation are our most coveted assets and is recognized by other associations and the DEM in the State of Rhode Island as “second to none”. Our network is both broad and deep. We will continue to leverage these assets this year to support our efforts to “Save Breezy Lake”.

Happy Holidays to all and we will be in touch again soon. As always, if you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out.