Our lake is moderately eutrophic, and the rate of eutrophication is increasing rapidly. The dissolved nutrients in our lake promote weed growth, which in turns depletes oxygen.

There is much you can do to slow the process. Many of the decisions you make about your home - whether to fertilize your lawn, to cut down a tree or to pave a driveway-will have an impact on the lake. Some practices that are benign in most neighborhoods can be harmful in a sensitive watershed such as the one we share. Here are simple guidelines to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of our environment.

YOUR ROLE IN LAKE PRESERVATION ... (continues, click read more)

1. Maintain your septic system. One of the most significant problems for a small lake such as Truesdale Lake is faulty or failing septic systems. Pump septic systems every two years, lakeside home once a year. Click here for more information about septic systems.

2. Eliminate or, at least minimize, lawn and garden fertilization. Fertilizer run-off stimulates weed and algae growth in lakes. If you do use fertilizers, never exceed the recommended application rates. Fertilize only in the fall. Never fertilize within 24 hours of expected rainfall. If you do choose to fertilize, use a non-phosphorous fertilizer (available locally at Gossett Brothers Nursery).

3. Keep weeds and other clippings from the lakes. Click here for more information about weeds.

4. Preserve your trees. Click here for more information about trees.

5. Get a Truesdale Lake identification sticker for your boat. Click here to get information on obtaining stickers for your boats so that they can be recognized as local boats. Keep an eye out for boats without stickers and educate their owners about the need for a sticker to use the boat on Truesdale Lake. We have enough problems with the native weeds without introducing exotic invasive species of plant and animal!

6. Be a friend to wildlife: Don't feed the geese!

7. Plant natural shrubs and groundcovers along the lake. Also maintain lakeside walls. These barriers will slow and filter water and sediment flowing into the lake. They also discourage geese from going on your lawn.

8. Use extra care with detergents and hazardous chemicals. Detergents and oils pollute the lakes and the groundwater we drink. Wash your car in a commercial car wash. Don't use soap or other cleaning agents in the lake. Do only large loads when washing laundry. Use laundry and dishwasher detergents without phosphates.

9. Curb your dog. Animal waste feeds aquatic weeds. Dog droppings also soil the neighborhood.

10. Register on our website. The most efficient way to distribute information, poll residents and communicate as a group is through email. Please sign up today.

11. Participate in your lake association. The Truesdale Estates Association and the Truesdale Lake Proerty Owners Association are the two main organizations on the lake. The Lake Management Committee is organized to coordinate the environmental work of the local neighborhood associations in preserving the lake and watershed areas. See the FAQ list for more information.

12. Join a local conservation group. Groups such as The Nature Conservancy and the Lewisboro Land Trust are leading the conservation effort in Lewisboro. The local chapter of The Nature Conservancy can be reached at 242-0091. The Lewisboro Land Trust number is 763-5767. Also, we encourage you to support Lewisboro's Conservation Advisory Council. The phone number is 763-3822. Further, read about the Lewisboro Lake Alliance.

(Thanks to Stephen M for gatherering material for this article! Some material sourced from the Three Lakes Council site.)