The Lake Dunmore Fern Lake Association

The mission of the Lake Dunmore Fern Lake Association, Incorporated, hereinafter the “Association”, is to protect and enhance the natural vitality of Lake Dunmore and Fern Lake while preserving the recreational and lifestyle interest of the Lakes’ community. In so doing, the Association protects the Lakes’ value as a public recreational facility and respects the interests of property owners and the public.

Specifically, the association supports:

  • Enhancement of water quality through a) testing, b) educational programs for members and the public, and c) control and elimination of native and non-native aquatic plants and animals that may be harmful to Lake Dunmore and Fern Lake, including but not limited to Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM), water chestnuts and zebra mussels

  • Water safety guidance for all seasons and all users of the lakes

  • Promotion of mosquito control to enhance the health and welfare of the Lakes' community and the region's recreational value

  • Similar programs consistent with the Association’s mission

Read our bylaws

About Our Lakes

Lake Dunmore

Lake Dunmore is located in Addison County, Vermont. The lake spans the towns of Salisbury and Leicester and has a surface area of 985 acres.  It is over 3 miles long (oriented north-south) and up to 1 mile wide. The primary source of water is Sucker Brook, which rises in the adjacent Moosalamoo National Recreation Area of the Green Mountain National Forest. The lake is drained by Leicester River, a tributary to Otter Creek, which in turn empties into Lake Champlain.

Branbury State Park occupies 69 acres of the eastern shore and offers a sandy beach, canoe rentals and campsites. Vermont Route 53 follows the eastern and northern shores of the lake. Most of the shoreline is privately owned.

Although a natural lake formed by glaciation, the water level is controlled by a small dam. In addition, Sucker Brook is part of a hydroelectricity project connecting Silver Lake and Sugar Hill Reservoir via Sucker Brook and operated by Green Mountain Power.

Facts:

  • Surface area: 985 acres

  • Watershed area: 13,068 acres

  • Max depth: 105 ft

  • Mean depth: 28 ft

  • Volume: 27,850 acre ft

  • Surface elevation: 569 ft

  • Length: approx 3.5 mi

  • Width: up to 1 mi

  • Source of water: Sucker Brook is the primary, with numerous other minor streams and springs.

  • Water quality: Classification B

Fern Lake

Fern Lake was originally known as "Little Pond" in deference to Lake Dunmore, it’s neighbor to the north. The name was changed to Fern Lake in 1892 when a Post Office was applied for in the area. The name is appropriate with all the natural ferns thriving on the shores around the lake. It is thought that Fern Lake was once part of Lake Dunmore but got separated by glacial movement, landslide or other natural action through time. You can now walk over an isthmus that separates the lakes by 250 to 300 yards. The isthmus land mass rises well above the heights of both lakes which allows the lakes to maintain their water level. Fern Lake has the depth of 55 feet in the deepest area and occupies approximately 68 acres of land. At the widest section it measures 1100 feet. The island on the northern end of the lake is called "Wooly" and is privately owned. Fern Lake at one time was the main source of water for the town of Brandon. The lake remained undeveloped until the 1960s when Brandon had acquired another water source. Land was then leased and camps were built. Leicester residents and home owners alike enjoy swimming, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and boating. However, the speed of boats needs to be kept at 5 MPH or less. This law translates into an environment of heavenly solitude year round.

Facts:

  • Surface area: 69 acres

  • Watershed area: 505 acres

  • Max depth: 43 ft

  • Mean depth: 13 ft

  • Volume: 897 acre ft

  • Surface elevation: 572 ft

  • Length: approx 0.9 mi

  • Source of Water: natural runoff from Chandler Ridge and minor springs

  • Water quality: Classification B

Lakes Alive Campaign History

A decade ago it became clear our traditional methods of financing our programs, and in particular our Eurasian Milfoil control program, were not going to be sufficient.  We were facing the “perfect storm” of increasing need and costs vs. reduced state “Aquatic Invasive Species Grant “monies.  Our answer was a capital campaign, aptly named by our volunteers “Lakes Alive – Now & Forever”.  Rob and Chris Naylor signed on as our co-chairs.  Twenty four property owners volunteered to help run the campaign and ask their neighbors for support. The Keewaydin Foundation committed to a lead gift of $300,000.

Launched in 2013, the five year fund raising goal was $1,725,000. This was allocated as follows:  $1,250,000 for an endowment fund (subsequently named the Lakes Alive Endowment Fund); $300,000 for known needs in the next five years; $175,000 to cover estimated campaign expenses.  By the end of 2013, we had collected $572,653 and received pledges totaling over $1,700,000.

Fast forward to 2022:  The campaign has received $2,453,998.  It has funded the following activities, programs and investments:

  • Covered budget shortfalls in 2013-2017 for a total of $175,000

  • Paid $80,000 in 2016 for the first herbicide treatment

  • Invested $1,422,000 to create the Lakes Alive endowment fund

  • Rebuilt our Reserve Fund to over $600,000

  • Since 2016 we have drawn (at annual rate of 4% of the funds value) $289,077 from the endowment fund to support milfoil control and other programs 

  • Grown the Lakes Alive Endowment Fund to approximately $1,900,000 today

  • Paid campaign expenses of just under $200,000 over the past decade 

The endowment is managed to preserve and grow the fund, while providing important support for our operations.  It was a five year capital campaign which has more than met its stated objectives and run for an extended time line.  It will remain a most significant financial asset well into the future. 

If you wish to contribute to the Lakes Alive Endowment Fund, please contact any LDFLA Board member to make those arrangements.  If you wish to donate to our current operations, please consider a donation to the LDFLA Annual Fund.   This can be done through the membership campaign or directly to the following address: LDFLA P.O. Box 14, Salisbury. VT 05769.  The LDFLA is a 501c3 public charity and as such contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Service.

Questions? Email us at info@ldfla.com