Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire to Get Informational Sunapee Trout Signs...
Arctic charr, known as blueback trout and Sunapee trout at the time, were historically found in Lake Sunapee and Big Dan Hole Pond in New Hampshire, Averill Lake and possibly Little Averill Lake in Vermont, and 16 lakes and ponds in Maine. The only wild native Arctic charr remaining in the Contiguous United States are found in 12 lakes and ponds in Maine. All other populations have been extirpated.
NFC is working with towns located on Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire in regard to a series of informational kiosk signs denoting the historical presence and subsequent loss of rare Arctic charr known as Sunapee trout at the time. It is as important to know what was historically present but lost as it is to know what’s there today so that we don’t make the same mistakes again.
Outdoor grade laminated composite 24x24” kiosk signs will be posted on the outside of the Sunapee Historical Society in Sunapee Harbor, Sunapee Town Hall parking lot, Newbury town beach gazebo, and either Clarke Lookout or the boat ramp on Lighthouse Road in New London.
The Lake Sunapee kiosk signs are part of a larger NFC project that posted a similar kiosk at Height of Land in Rangeley, Maine, that spotlighted the historical presence and subsequent loss of Arctic charr from the Rangeley Lakes, the largest population in the Contiguous United States. We are hoping to expand the project to include Big Dan Hole Pond in New Hampshire as well as Averill Lake in Vermont.
NFC is looking for help raising money to cover the cost of 4 signs to be posted at public locations in towns around Lake Sunapee. While our partners are providing logistical support in regard to sign posting and maintenance, NFC will be paying for the signs to avoid potential delays caused by town budget constraints and priorities.
