The Great East Lake Improvement Association (GELIA) traces its roots back to 1932. The founding members came together to address issues concerning the early annual fall draw-down for commercial purposes, and to discuss solutions and preventative measures for current and potential problems. It is a fundamental desire of all GELIA members to enhance and protect the quality of the lake and the surrounding habitat today and for future generations to enjoy. Maintaining a healthy lake requires ongoing vigilance by all.
GELIA Today
Our association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of Great East Lake, its wildlife, and environment. We see education as a primary function of this organization. Only through vigilant action and financial support can we hope to ensure that future generations will share the experience of stewardship for the treasure that is Great East Lake.
- GELIA holds an annual membership meeting and a lake concert on the first Saturday in July, produces three newsletters each year, and maintains this website.
- The Lake Host program welcomes boaters at the Acton boat launch and monitors for invasive species.
- The Weedwatchers program enlists volunteers to monitor and report invasive aquatic plants along the shoreline of the lake. We also maintain a fund to battle invasive species and to react quickly if and when they occur on Great East Lake.
- Water quality measurements are taken from May to September by volunteers who work with the UNH Lakes Lay Monitoring Program
- We are members of the Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance, working to protect and improve water quality within the local watersheds. AWWA’s Youth Conservation Corps is dedicated to reducing stormwater runoff and erosion along the lakeshores in Acton and Wakefield.
- The activities comittee plans and holds events and gatherings for all.
- We work with the Loon Preservation Committee to monitor and protect the Loon population, and the NH Fish and Game who stock the lake with fish.
- Volunteers place the Maine navigational buoys and signs and work with NH Marine Patrol and ME Warden Service to promote safe boating practices.
- GELIA supports conservation organizations in NH and ME, as well as local recreation and Ambulance services.
- We greet and provide lake related information to new lake residents.
- GELIA acts as a government liaison with Maine and New Hampshire by monitoring and informing about issues and legislation of interest to Great East Lake Improvement Association members.