Notice: October, 2024

On October 17, 2024, Nisa Marks of the NH DES spoke to our board members regarding the health of Bearcamp Pond and the options we have to improve it. Nisa is the watershed coordinator and the main point of contact for lake associations at DES. She has been assisting Gerry Butters in preparing our application for funding for a watershed plan. working with Nisa Marks from the NH DES to develop an application for a Water-shed Plan. As a relatively small and shallow lake, Bearcamp Pond has higher than average phosphorus and chlorophll-a resulting in possible cyanobacteria blooms, algae and weed growth. The lower and middle layers of the pond are also impaired for dissolved oxygen which can be harmful to aquatic life and make late summer/fall Cyanobacteria blooms more likely. As discussed at the annual meeting in August, the board is working with the NH DES to apply for grants to pay for a Watershed Based Plan and to also assist us in identifying ways to protect the pond whether we have a plan done or not. If we do receive funding, the plan would:

• Identify sources of phosphorus and pollutants

Describe specific actions to address nutrient sources
Describe how to protect Bearcamp Pond
Lead to a comprehensive, prioritized to-do list

The process is lengthy and expensive, and it may be we have to apply multiple times to get funding. The initial quote we received for a full-blown plan is $75,000, which doesn’t cover the costs of implementation. However, Nisa and the DES can work with us to identify things we can do to protect the pond, either while waiting for funding approval or if we fail to get funding.

The presentation Nisa gave to us and be seen by clicking on the link below.

Watershed-Based Planning at Bearcamp Pond

NOTICE: JUNE, 2023

The Bearcamp Pond has been without loon chicks for the last five years. There are a number of reasons why the chicks have not survived, unfortunately the Loon Preservations Society has not been able to pinpoint why. This year the Bearcamp Pond Association put out a brand new and refurbished nest. Much to our surprise, the loons nested on the shore and chose not to occupy either of the two floating nests.

Hence, we are taking a pause in bringing up the water level but only until the eggs hatch. This should be around the end of June. We want to help them in anyway we can. So if you see them, please keep your distance. Thank you for your patience and consideration.

Beach Policy update from the Town of Sandwich

No Lifeguards on Duty: swim at your own risk at all times! No inflatables, but lifejackets and foam noodles are allowed. There will be no picnic tables and no swim raft, but we will have swim lines. There will be no swim lessons this summer.

The Beach parking area will be for beachgoers only. Please use roadside parking or the trailer lot across the street from the beach for boat use including rooftop launches (kayaks, canoes, etc.)

Beach games will not be allowed (spikeball, frisbee, bocce, football, Kan Jam etc.)

As always, facility stickers and/or guest passes are required for use of the town beaches. Parking policies will be strictly enforced.

Loon update: JULY, 2022

A member of The Loon Preservation Committee and members of the Bearcamp Pond Association board put in the loon nest in early May. Loons arrived to Bearcamp Pond on April 11, 2022.

Loon update: June 29, 2020

A member of The Loon Preservation Committee and members of the Bearcamp Pond Association board put in the loon nest in early May. The nest received a new fencing and camouflage cover. Up to 4 loons have been seen on the pond this spring. Two loons were seen investigating the nest as of last weekend but no “nesting” has occurred.

Loon update: July 26, 2019

Members of The Loon Preservation Committee were out to inspect the loons’ nest. They discovered that the one egg had been over-incubated and is no longer viable. The tagged, male loon was sitting on the nest at the time of inspection. They were hoping the female, who is not yet tagged would be there so they could get bands on her. They left the egg on the nest and will be back soon to try and tag the female and will pick up the egg at that time.