Know Your Watershed: Overview of the Challenge
A snapshot of the Chebacco watershed, why lakes and ponds act as watershed hotspots, and how the water cycle ties it all together.
Understand the water
Lake Living & Learning
Whether you’re new to the shore or have lived here for decades, a little knowledge goes a long way. Algae blooms, invasive plants, and nutrient overloading are all manageable once you understand how a shallow lake works.
The Know Your Watershed series
Start here: how our watershed works
Know Your Watershed: How Healthy Is Our Lake?
The warning signs from recent water sampling, the biology that regulates a healthy water body, and how phosphorus drives plant growth.
Know Your Watershed: Managing the Four Human Impacts
How everyday actions affect water quality — and how we can slow the flow of sediments, nutrients, and pollutants reaching the lake.
Featured explainer
“Godzilla algae” is coming — here’s what to know
A warming climate is fueling cyanobacteria blooms that can be harmful to people and pets. The good news: the same steps that keep nutrients out of the lake also keep blooms at bay. Knowing the signs — and checking conditions before you swim — keeps your family safe.
Watch for algae bloomsProtect people and petsReduce nutrientsCheck before swimming
LakeSmart at home
Small steps that slow the flow
Plant native shoreline buffers
Plant and keep a buffer of native shrubs along the shoreline to filter runoff before it reaches the lake.
Redirect runoff
Direct roof and driveway runoff onto vegetation instead of sending it directly toward the lake.
Maintain your septic system
A well-maintained septic system keeps nutrients and pollutants out of groundwater and away from the lake.
Skip phosphorus fertilizer
Choose low-phosphate living to reduce the nutrients that fuel excess plant and algae growth.
Leave natural cover
Fallen leaves and natural cover help filter what flows downhill before it reaches the water.
Watch & learn
Short films worth your time
The Cape Cod Cautionary Tale
Scientific American & WBUR · 11 min. How human development quietly degrades vulnerable water bodies — and the lessons for any shallow New England lake.
Realistic Expectations for Shallow Lakes
Minnesota limnologists · 9 min. Why shallow lakes tend toward one of two states — clear water with plants, or green water with none — and what that means for Chebacco.
Protect Chebacco Lake
Put knowledge into action
Understanding the lake is step one. Becoming a member helps fund the monitoring and education that protect it.