ATHOL – The Inaugural meeting of the Lake Ellis Watershed Management Partnership took place with a discussion on the main issues of concern for various stakeholders.

While five topics were listed on the meeting agenda, the committee only had time to focus on the first two—beavers and weed control. It was decided to forego the election of chair, vice-chair and clerk until a later date.

Formation of the partnership was a recommendation included in 2021 Watershed-Based Plan for Lake Ellis. Athol Planning and Development Director Eric Smith told the attendees that the idea for the partnership is to be a clearinghouse to share information, review development proposals as they come up, conduct education and public outreach efforts, and coordinate funding from a variety of sources.

“I think all of you are aware there are beaver issues all over the place in this region, but specifically in the Mill Brook watershed up by the Market Basket project,” said Smith. “There are some new beaver installations in that area; that all went through a process and that seems to be working in that area. But it’s one of those things that needs to be continually managed.”

Smith suggested the partnership look at developing a more comprehensive beaver management plan. He added it was important to do this kind of planning, rather than looking at a ‘band-aid’ or other reactive actions.

“I think a beaver management plan is a requirement,” said John Robertson of Friends of Lake Ellis. “It should absolutely be done. It’s every season; so now in the spring, beavers will travel when they get kicked out of their homes. They’re going to go up to five miles looking for the next place. So, if they’re moved out from behind Market Basket, they’re going to go up to five miles looking for that water.”

Ivan Ussach of the Millers River Watershed Council suggested researching town records, as well as reaching out to other communities to see if management plans had been enacted in the past.

“For due diligence, it would be good to know what the town has done in the past,” Ussach said. “What was the experience? What has worked? What hasn’t worked?”

Smith pointed out that the state is supposed to be in charge of addressing the impact of beavers on a pair of culverts that run near Lake Ellis under Route 2.

Smith explained that the Watershed-Based Plan contained what he saw as valid recommendations, but added it will be up to the partnership – in part – to determine what recommendations the town can afford to do, including those for beaver management.

The discussion then moved on to the issue of aquatic weed/invasive species control. Ussach suggested it wouldn’t be feasible to do draw down the level of the lake to undertake a weed control effort unless they can find a grant to pay for it. Lori Kay, a member of the Secret Lake Association, said her group has been told draw down is no longer required for weed control.

“The whole purpose is to expose the weeds to that they die off, but it turns out that’s very ineffective,” she said.

Robertson concurred, adding that Lake Ellis is so shallow that the sunlight hits the entire lake floor, so there is no area where nothing grows.

“The biggest challenge Lake Ellis is having…is that the biomass has built up so much beautiful weed-growing soil from year after year of killing the weeds – it’s like Miracle Gro for weeds,” said Robertson.

As talks continued, it appeared that the start of the weed control program recommended to Friends of Lake Ellis would be delayed until June, though the organization had wanted to begin next month. Several members agreed to speak with weed control businesses to see which one could present the best and most expeditious plan for this year.

The partnership decided to meet again at 4 p.m. on April 26 to discuss the options for weed control it hoped to receive. The meeting will take place in Room 21 at Athol Town Hall.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.

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