watershed Management Plan (WMP)

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What is a Watershed Management Plan? Watershed plans include regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to meet clean water and safe drinking water goals by identifying strategies to better protect rivers, lakes and other surface water. Development of the natural landscape can lead to increases in runoff that can carry oil, nutrients and metals into surface water. Watershed planning and protection of riparian buffers are important to maintain surface water quality.

The Department of Environmental Services awarded a $75,000 grant to Halfmoon Lake Association (HMLA) in September, 2023 to pursue a Watershed Management Plan. Following the grant award, HMLA contracted with FB Environmental (FB) on November 9, 2023 to develop our Watershed Management Plan.  In early 2024, FB conducted a preliminary site survey of the lake and watershed area, followed  by a full watershed survey, water quality modeling and action plan to address high-risk sites. This work paved the way for the HMLA to apply for another grant to help address the findings from the FB Environmental watershed management plan.  In January of 2026, HMLA  received an additional grant reward of $75,000 from the Department of Environmental Services. Following this grant reward, HMLA  contracted with CEI, Inc. in June 2026 to address the first three priority projects identified in the Watershed Management Plan, including  the Rte. 28 boat ramp, North Barnstead Road, and Dalton Beach.

1. The engineer from CEI, Curt Busto, has provided HMLA  with the conceptual designs thus far, and we have met with the Town of Alton Conservation Commission and DPW Manager to review and discuss. They discussed several suggestions, and have agreed to provide the equipment and manpower for the construction phase of the project to the extent that they’re able, likely commencing spring of 2027.
2. HMLA has also met with the Town of Barnstead and provided them with the conceptual design for North Barnstead Road. The Selectmen are in the process of reviewing the designs with their contracted engineer and plan to advise us of their decision and/or suggestions as well as whether they may be able to provide equipment and manpower for the construction phase of the project.
3. Locke Lake Colony (LLC) owns Dalton Beach and has earmarked $25,000 towards the construction of the project. A meeting was held with the representatives from LLC at which time the engineer from CEI, Curt Busto, reviewed the conceptual design for Dalton Beach. There were several suggestions which were proposed, and Curt’s plans are to incorporate those suggestions and present a few options to be considered within the next couple weeks for LLC relative to the design.