LKO 2024 Resident Survey Summary
A new resident survey (LKO members and non-members) was completed between June 7 – August 20, 2024. The last resident survey was done in 2010. The survey was conducted to understand concerns and perspectives of the LKO community.
The response rate was approximately 34%. There were also 90 plus written comments, including respondents suggested Lake Kashagawigamog “lacks a lake community”. The top concerns raised by respondents were as follows:
- 95% of respondents were “Very Concerned/Concerned” about the overall Water Quality of the lakes
- 89% of respondents were “Very Concerned/Concerned” with current and future Development projects and how they could negatively affect Water Quality
- >90% of respondents were “Very Concerned/Concerned” with Invasive Species and their effects on Water Quality
- 75% of respondents indicated that they have “Frequently/Occasionally” been negatively impacted on land or while on the lake by large waves from Wakesport boats
Based on the results of the survey, seven recommendations were made as follows:
- Monitor developments in and around Lake Kashagawigamog and engage Municipal officials to prevent the deterioration of water quality with new projects and address lake stressors
- Improve or prevent the deterioration of water quality. Collect, organize and summarize water quality data
- Increase public education, testing and advocate for regulatory/policy options, where possible, to prevent introduction of Invasive Species to Lake Kashagawigamog
- Advocate for regulations for wakeboat activities
- Increased education about responsible and respectful boating
- Advocate for regulations that foster protection of shorelines from development, re-development and from excessive wakes
- Consider social events, e.g., re-introduce Kash Bash, to “connect” residents/neighbors
The survey recommendations have been approved by the LKO Board of Directors and are being used to plan and set priorities and to update the Lake Plan, as appropriate. The LKO Board and its Committees are working on action plans for each of the recommendations and further information on next steps will be provided in future e-blasts or other communication tools. We would like to thank all residents who completed the survey and provided feedback.
The 2024 full survey report is available on the “Members Only” section of the LKO Website.