Lake Afton is a manmade lake created in 1705 to provide water wheel power for a gristmill built for John Brock. The lake's been enjoyed through the centuries, but requires consistent maintenance or it falls into disrepair. Volunteers for a civic 501(c)(3) nonprofit work to restore, improve, protect and maintain Lake Afton for all to enjoy.
Michelle Sharer, president of Friends of Lake Afton board of directors, says its historic importance and nature-related benefits are immense.
William Yardley purchased John Brock’s gristmill in 1732, replacing it in 1769 with Yardley Grist Mill. Lake Afton allegedly was named after the poem “Afton Water,” written by Robert Burns in 1791.
THE CHALLENGE:
Picturesque Lake Afton is threatened by filamentous algae. Without efforts to rid the algae, it chokes oxygen out of the lake, which causes all that live in and depend on the lake for food and water supplies to become sick and die. The algae overload also would eventually result in Lake Afton becoming a swamp.
THE GOAL:
Reduce the phosphorus and other pollutants in the lake. Clean-Flo International, LLC, was hired to provide treatments not harmful to local animals and wildlife. Project RELAY (Remediate the Erosion by Lake Afton in Yardley) was completed during fall 2019. Because the lake lost the majority of the trees around it, plans for Project Shade are underway.
HOW TO HELP:
Volunteers are appreciated to share awareness via social media updates, as well as for fundraisers and community relations activities. Assistance is needed for events, such as boat rides, FOLA's Pop-Up Gift Shop (All Things Yardley Gift Shop) and clean-up days. FOLA has information regarding alternatives to using weed killers and pesticides for homeowners to use.
YARDLEY’S DUCK LADY:
Michelle Gaudet Sharer and husband, Barry Sharer, are passionate about FOLA’s mission. Michelle has lived in Bucks County her entire life. After Alfalfa, her duck, came into her life, she would talk about him and show pictures of him to friends and relatives; they encouraged her to record his story. Straight from her heart came the book Alfalfa: The Story of a Duck from Lake Afton in Yardley, PA.