Shoreline Survey Update

Dear Wentworth Watershed Association Members,

Following our recent notification about the use of drones for shoreline surveys, several members reached out with concerns and we’re grateful for your engagement. I’d like to take this opportunity to provide more details about the purpose of these surveys and reassure you about how your privacy will be protected throughout the process.

The Wentworth Watershed Association has been collecting data on the lakes and surrounding land use since 1980. This long-term data collection helps us establish baselines and track changes that may affect water quality. It also allows us to prioritize projects based on real, localized data to ensure that our actions are both informed and effective.

The shoreline surveys are a critical part of updating our Watershed Management Plan. The goal is to assess the general condition of the shoreline—including vegetation, slope, and impervious surfaces—and to identify patterns that may impact water quality. This work is strictly non-regulatory, will not evaluate individual properties, and all data collected will remain confidential to WWA and our trusted contractor, FB Environmental.

We take privacy seriously and have carefully evaluated other methods of shoreline surveying. In the past, surveys involved volunteers photographing the shoreline from boats during summer months—an approach we determined to be more invasive. By using drones in the spring, we minimize disruption to residents and recreation.

The drones will fly 75–100 feet from shore and 20 feet above the water, traveling at about 3 mph. Each drone will make one pass, capturing approximately one minute of footage per property. The imagery will only be used to understand shoreline features and will not include personal assessments or enforcement actions.

For context, the 2011 Watershed Management Plan involved over 21 volunteers, employees of FB Environmental visiting 625 properties to identify potential pollution sources. That comprehensive effort helped us identify 108 priority sites, guiding years of successful water quality work. This drone survey continues that tradition of thoughtful, science-based watershed protection using more efficient, less intrusive tools.

We are committed to communication and transparency throughout this process. To that end, we invite you to an open Zoom office hour this Friday, May 9th from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM (login information below). This is an opportunity to ask questions, share feedback, and learn more about the shoreline survey.

We are proud to be a trusted partner in protecting the lakes and lands of the Wentworth-Crescent Watershed and are grateful for your continued support. If you have further questions, please join me for the Question and Answer Session on Friday.

Warm regards,
Julie Brown
Executive Director
Wentworth Watershed Association

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WWA Watershed Shoreline Survey Member Q&A
Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Eastern Time)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83264794127?pwd=ppHCbbObBUT2CpFDN06waa8r3qhqrm.1
Meeting ID: 832 6479 4127
Passcode: 03894

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Dial: 1-305-224-1968, Enter Meeting Code: 832 6479 4127, Enter passcode: 03894