Water Quality Info
Since the 1980's the NH Department of Environmental Services and the Cobbett's Pond Improvement Association (CPIA) have tested water samples from the pond. Unfortunately, over this time period, test results have shown a significant deterioration of the pond's water quality.
A major contributor to the decline in water quality is development in the watershed. The watershed is the area that funnels water runoff and other nutrients into the lake. Although it is fact that the water quality isn't what is used to be, there are steps that residents can take to help improve the situation.
The NH Department of Environmental Services has comprised a list of recommended practices that residents should consider adopting to improve water quality. This information can be found at the following link.
DES - Volunteer Lake Assessment Program annual results and recommendations:
The DES has information on how how to manage stormwater runoff around private residences. This information can be found on there website by following the link below.
Stormwater Management for Homeowners
Information on Fertilizers
What is low phosphate, slow release nitrogen fertilizer? Low phosphate, slow release nitrogen fertilizer means fertilizer that is guaranteed, as indicated on the package label, to contain not more than 2 percent phosphorous and a nitrogen component that is at least 50 percent slow release nitrogen. For addition questions on shoreland program issues, you may want to contact Jay Aube at jason.aube@des.nh.gov, who is the DES shoreland outreach person.
Some specific products to consider are listed below. All are zero phosphorus, but check the specifications on each product to confirm that the slow-release nitrogen requirements are met.
- Lebanon Phosphorus-Free Fertilizer 32-0-6 (This is sold nearby at Dodge Grain Co., 59 North Broadway, Salem NH for $20.95/bag, which covers 18,000 sf)
Andersons Brand Phosphorus-Free Fertilizers:
- Andersons Fortify Lawn Food 29-0-4 (FRT29921)
- Andersons Fortify Weed & Feed 28-0-3 (FRT288DS1)
- Andersons Fortify Crabgrass Preventer 30-0-4 (FRT307T1)
- Andersons Fortify Winterizer & New Lawn Starter 18-0-12 (FRT183FE1)
Scotts Brand Fertilizers:
- Scotts Phosphorus-Free Lawn Fertilizer
- Scotts Lawn Pro Crabgrass Preventer Plus Fertilizer 26-0-3
- Step 1 of Scotts 4-Step Annual Program Crabgrass Plus Feritlizer 30-0-4
- Step 3 of Scotts 4-Step Annual Program Summer Guard with Insecticide 28-0-8
Other Brands:
- North Country Organics 6-0-6
- Vigoro Ultra Turf 29-0-4 Phosphorus Free Turf Fertilizer. Zero phosphate fertilizer specially formulated for lawns near lakes and streams.
- GreenView Spring Zero Phosphorus Fertilizer 27-0-12. GreenView has several other zero phosphorus products.
- LESCO Professional Turf Fertilizer 32-0-10 and 18-0-18. Wholesale and retail in Portland Maine (207)772-7173.
- ESPOMA Turf Tone - 18-0-3 Lawn Food. Espoma also manufactures organic fertilizers.
Aquatic Plants of Cobbetts Pond
This Field Guide to the Aquatic Plants of Cobbett’s Pond has been developed to assist in efforts to conduct regular aquatic vegetation monitoring at Cobbett’s Pond.
Cobbett's Pond Aquatic Plant Field Guide 2010
Planting in the watershed
It has been scientifically proven that planting shrubs and trees in the watershed improves water quality. Plants take some nutrients out of water run-off before it enters the lake, which helps decrease nutrient loading.
A list of plantings compiled by the DES and "A Field Guide to Common Riparian Plants of New Hampshire" can be viewed by visiting the links below.
Native Shoreland/Riparian Buffer Plantings for New Hampshire
A Field Guide to Common Riparian Plants of New Hampshire
You can also find helpful tips on landscaping from the EPA at:
The CPIA has been awarded a grant to develop a watershed restoration plan for Cobbetts Pond. This effort is currently underway. More information and updates on the project can be viewed by clicking here.