The Lake Mishnock Preservation Association (LMPA) was established because of a "weed invasion"! The first general meeting to discuss rampant weed infestation in Lake Mishnock was held at the Lake Mishnock Volunteer Fire Department on August 12, 2004. The meeting offered an opportunity for 70+ area residents to voice their concerns. In response to that meeting and several others, LMPA was formally established in March 2005.
Invasive weeds, which already choked Little Mishnock, were spreading over the entire lake. These invasives had created a crisis, and action was needed. In order to learn more about combating invasive weeds and to obtain professional advice, LMPA consulted with the nearby Tiogue Lake Association, which had similar problems, and with two lake-treatment businesses. As a result of these consultations, LMPA authorized Aquatic Control Technology to seek the required permits from the Department of Environmental Management. Another general meeting was held April 19, 2005, at the Mishnock Barn (200 Mishnock Road, West Greenwich) and provided the public with detailed information on the lake's condition, and the proposed treatment. Permits were approved and treatment applied in June.
The results were excellent. Many residents on the lake have commented on the reduction of weeds. One said, "I haven't been able to swim from my dock in five years, but I can now!"
While the leaves' color changes are beautiful, the out-of-control weed takeover was alarming. You can see the surface weeds (milfoil) in the above pictures. Little Mishnock, the smaller of the two joined ponds, was too dangerous for boating or swimming, especially for children, who could become entangled in the dense web of weeds. Click here to read DEM's booklet about the importance of our lake and its water shed. What can you do to help keep a healthy lake?
Lake Mishnock has a storied past, and several area residents can give first-hand accounts of events as far back as the 1930s. In his book, "A Brief Moment Time...MISHNOCK...and kindred matters" (Avon Valley Press, 1997), Waite Albro included the story of Lake Mishnock Grove, built by his father, John I. Albro. Mr. Albro began by trying to protect the area from careless campers, who'd caused a number of fires around the lake. In an effort to limit access and to reduce fire danger, Mr. Albro put up a sign in a designated area--Parking 25 cents--and hoped it would discourage unauthorized camping. To his surprise, it didn't. People paid the fees and kept coming. The year was 1929, and Mr. Albro soon earned more from these parking fees than he did for a hard day's labor. This was the beginning of commercial enterprise at the lake. By the 1930s and '40s, Lake Mishnock was a summer playground for hundreds of Rhode Islanders, who enjoyed the swimming beach, roller rink, and snack bar.
Despite the fact that it is essentially privately owned, Lake Mishnock has great public importance. As part of the Mishnock Aquifer, the lake provides 20 % of the Kent County water supply. The lake also gives character and beauty to the neighborhood where over 400 families make their home. Some families are the second or third generation to grow up on Lake Mishnock, and they live in homes that were originally summer cottages in the 1940s. On a fair day, these families can be seen boating, fishing and swimming at the lake. Today, there are two active beach associations, Brookside and Mishnock. Mishnock Barn houses a country dance club: http://www.mishnockbarn.com
LMPA crew: Jim, Neil, Steve and John working the pasta line at Mishnock Barn
