Stories of Watershed Impact | 2023
May 2024
Like you, we are lake lovers. It’s why we live here. These natural treasures are a core part of our lives. We would be heartbroken if they were lost.
There is an urgent need to protect these beloved places. Our lakes and ponds are fragile, and threats from climate change, invasive species, and development are putting them at greater risk. Since 2020, two new invasive aquatic plant infestations have been discovered in our watershed. Two out of the past three summers, one of these lakes suffered severe, potentially toxic algal blooms. Last year, two devastating storm events washed alarming amounts of runoff, polluted with sediment and phosphorus, into our lakes, harming water quality.
The challenges are big, but the situation is not hopeless, if we act NOW, before it’s too late. This is why 30 Mile has been aggressively fighting the milfoil on Androscoggin, and working to prevent the spread of swollen bladderwort from Tilton Pond. It is why we are increasing our focus to support towns in tackling the enormous challenge of building roads that can withstand these new, much larger, storm events, without harming our lakes. And it is why we are creating a new center for lake protection in our watershed. Our lakes community needs this space to learn and work together for this shared purpose. It has never been more important.
We are so grateful for your support and look forward to working with you in the year ahead!
With appreciation,
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30 Mile Taking Action
Our programs promote long-term, sustainable change. We directly protect and closely monitor lake health, assess land use impacts, and provide educational and recreational opportunities that foster stewardship.
Our first line of defense
Our paid staff and 11 volunteer Courtesy Boat Inspectors conducted 2,584 inspections from May to October on…read more
Taking action at the state level
An important part of the work we do at 30 Mile is advocating for lake-related legislation to our state leaders…read more
What can you do to prevent the spread of invasives?
- Always remove plants from your boat, trailer and gear.
Clean. Drain. Dry. - Educate yourself. Tell your friends and neighbors about the threat.
- Volunteer as a boat inspector or invasive plant patroller.
- Report suspicious plants to your lake association or 30 Mile.
Bathymetric mapping underway
We launched a new project to create bathymetric maps for each lake and pond in the watershed…read more
How can you protect water quality?
BE LAKESMART and learn about practices that you can implement on your property.
END EROSION that feeds algae in the lake.
BUILD A BETTER BUFFER, the last line of defense against polluted runoff!
Boy Scout Island restoration
After decades of heavy use, Boy Scout Island on Flying Pond had degraded greatly. Last summer, a collaboration with…read more
Catching invasives early
Over 90 volunteers across nine different lakes and ponds throughout the watershed completed surveys for invasive…read more
How to help protect our waters from invasive plants and animals?
CLEAN plant debris, mud and algae from all boating and fishing gear and dispose in trash.
DRAIN live well, bilge water, and engine water away from waterbody.
DRY any gear that comes into contact with water.
8th season monitoring lake health
Our staff and certified volunteer monitors completed a full season of monitoring on 13 lakes and ponds…read more
Pocasset watershed survey complete
In September, we completed the Pocasset Lake Watershed Survey. Fourteen trained volunteers and six technical leaders…read more
Septic System Vulnerability Study & Permit Database Project
Thanks in part to a grant from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, we are leading a new project to assess the impact of septic systems within our watershed, and provide our partner towns with a town-wide septic system database and tool for septic permit and maintenance tracking. Project findings and an interactive septic risk map will be available on our website in spring 2024.
14th Annual Paddle Trek a success!
On Saturday, July 29th, we held our 14th Annual Paddle Trek. This event was one of our biggest, with 65 participants…read more
Managing invasive milfoil in Androscoggin
Since it was first found in 2020, we have fought the infestation of invasive…read more
Invasive bladderwort in Tilton Pond
In August 2023, a new invasive plant, swollen bladderwort, was found in Tilton Pond at the top of the watershed…read more
Studying and addressing algal blooms
In 2023, Androscoggin Lake suffered its second lake-wide algal bloom within three years. In response to these blooms…read more
Being LakeSmart in the watershed
LakeSmart is a statewide education and reward program that helps lakefront homeowners manage their properties…read more
YCC protecting water quality in the watershed
Our Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) completed 11 conservation projects…read more
1st Place Photo Contest Winners
Visit our photo contest page to see all the 2023 winners and learn how to participate this summer! Photo by Grant Regan-Loomis.
Fighting Invasives
Our first line of defense
Our paid staff and 11 volunteer Courtesy Boat Inspectors conducted 2,584 inspections from May to October on Androscoggin Lake, Flying Pond, Minnehonk Lake and Parker Pond. Although it is rare for us to find an invasive species on a boat or trailer, all it takes is one fragment to start an infestation and ruin a lake.
Photos: members of our 2023 CBI staff – Iris Petrin, Grant Regan-Loomis, and Moriah Reusch.
boat inspections performed in 2023
Legislative Action
Taking action at the state level
An important part of the work we do at 30 Mile is advocating for lake-related legislation to encourage our state leaders to vote in favor of bills that will protect our lakes and the health of our watershed. Our efforts in 2023 focused on the Lake Restoration and Protection Fund, wake surfing impacts, and clean-drain-dry requirements.
Photo: Brynne Robbins, Colby College student and 30 Mile summer employee, testifies before the Environment and Natural Resources Committee in support of the Lake Restoration and Protection Fund.
Fighting Invasives
Catching invasives early
Over 90 volunteers across nine different lakes and ponds throughout the watershed completed surveys for invasive aquatic plants in 2023! Annual invasive plant surveys are a key part of fighting invasive species in our lakes, as it is critical to catch new infestations early.
In August, we led an aquatic plant workshop for new invasive plant patrol (IPP) volunteers on Pocasset Lake. Fourteen volunteers got hands-on learning in plant identification. We look forward to continuing to work with these volunteers during the next season.
Photos: (1) Sue Heard of Pocasset looks at aquatic plants during the workshop. (2) Lidie Robbins leads an IPP workshop for Pocasset volunteers.
Fighting Invasives
Fighting Invasives
Managing invasive milfoil in Androscoggin
Since it was first found in 2020, we have fought the infestation of invasive variable milfoil in Androscoggin Lake. Last season, our staff spent more than 480 hours surveying the lake to find and map each invasive plant, and our trained diver removed all that were found. We have kept it from spreading and are seeing fewer plants. We will continue the fight in 2024 to protect Androscoggin and all our lakes.
Photos: (1) Staff member Brynne Robbins empties a net of milfoil removed by our diver. (2) Our survey and dive team prepare for milfoil removal. (3) Invasive variable milfoil.
Fighting Invasives
Invasive bladderwort in Tilton Pond
In August 2023, a new invasive plant, swollen bladderwort, was found in Tilton Pond at the top of the watershed. Our surveys confirmed that there is dense growth throughout the pond. In 2024, we will work to prevent its spread downstream to David Pond, Parker Pond, and beyond.
Photos: (1) The inflated upper leaves of swollen bladderwort that form a wagon-wheel shape keep the flowering stem above water. (2) Lidie Robbins removes bladderwort from Tilton Pond.
Water Quality Monitoring
8th season monitoring lake health
Our staff and certified volunteer monitors completed a full season of monitoring on 13 lakes and ponds – expanding our monitoring of Echo Lake, and Hales, Kimball, Tilton and Whittier Ponds. We worked with 27 volunteers, completing 112 sampling events.
Photo: (1) Silas Mohlar collects samples on Kimball Pond. (2) Whitney Baker takes a Secchi disk (clarity) reading on Basin Pond. (3) Echo Lake volunteer water quality monitor, Gary Phillip.
water sampling events completed on 13 lakes and ponds
Responding to Threats
Studying and addressing algal blooms
In 2023, Androscoggin Lake suffered its second lake-wide algal bloom within three years. In response to these blooms, we completed a second season of intensified monitoring of the lake, its tributaries, and the Dead River to better understand the dynamics of phosphorus, both in the lake and from the surrounding watershed. This monitoring will continue in 2024.
We also applied for and were awarded a grant of $150K to begin watershed remediation efforts over the next two years – providing free technical assistance, cost-share funding for high-priority construction projects, and important educational opportunities to private and public landowners in the watershed.
Photo: (1) ALIC volunteers Allen Unrein and Patt Koscinski. (2) 2023 algal bloom. (3) Patt Koscinski and Whitney Baker collect water samples using a Kemmerer.
EPA Clean Water Act/Maine DEP grant awarded to begin watershed remediation efforts.
Special Project
Bathymetric mapping underway
We launched a new project to create bathymetric maps for each lake and pond in the watershed. Just as topographic maps represent elevation of land features, bathymetric maps illustrate underwater terrain. By creating depth contours of the lakebed, we can more accurately calculate lake volume and flushing rates to help us understand water quality conditions for lake management. Thanks to the John Sage Foundation for supporting this project.
Addressing the Problems
Pocasset watershed survey complete
In September, we completed the Pocasset Lake Watershed Survey. Fourteen trained volunteers and six technical leaders surveyed the developed areas of the watershed, identifying 69 erosion sites that are impacting or have the potential to harm water quality. All landowners with sites were contacted with recommendations, and the report is on our website. With this data, we will now take steps to address erosion and better protect Pocasset.
Photo: Our team of volunteers and technical leaders spent a full day in the field documenting erosion problems that threaten water quality.
Supporting Landowners
Being LakeSmart in the watershed
LakeSmart is a statewide education and reward program that helps lakefront homeowners manage their properties in ways that protect water quality. In 2023, 30 Mile staff and lake association teams completed evaluations for 23 landowners, including the first LakeSmart awardees on Kimball Pond!
“We joined LakeSmart with a commitment to preserving the natural beauty of Kimball Pond recognizes positive actions we have taken. It encourages us to think carefully about sustainable practices as we plan gardens, landscaping and maintaining our property… We encourage other homeowners in the 30 Mile River Watershed to participate in this program.”
– Nancy Gregory & Tom Hale
Supporting Landowners
YCC protecting water quality in the watershed
Our Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) completed 11 conservation projects on 6 lakes and ponds to address erosion problems harming water quality. We provided technical assistance to more than 33 landowners.
Photos: (1) An unstable shorefront path delivers runoff into the lake and causes shoreline erosion. (2) YCC built a new stable path with erosion control mulch and two water bars to redirect runoff into the wooded buffer, away from the lake, and planted a native buffer on the shoreline.
YCC in Action
Boy Scout Island restoration
After decades of heavy use, Boy Scout Island on Flying Pond had degraded greatly. Last summer, a collaboration with Flying Pond Improvement Association (FPIA) started reversing the damage. Our YCC crew and FPIA volunteers transported erosion control mulch and planted 40+ native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers. All summer, volunteers watered the new plantings and FPIA posted signage about the restoration project.
Photos: (1) Our YCC members Grant Regan-Loomis, Katie Cilley, Silas Mohlar, and Moriah Reusch. (2) Katie plants a shrub on Boy Scout Island.
14th Annual Paddle Trek a success!
On Saturday, July 29th, we held our 14th Annual Paddle Trek. This event was one of our biggest, with 65 participants. After a summer with so much rain, we were thrilled to have a dry, sunny day. We even had the wind at our backs as we made our way down 15 miles of the beautiful waters in the chain that is the 30 Mile River.
We are so grateful for the 24 volunteers who supported the event throughout the day, from portaging kayaks and canoes to shuttling paddlers to serving cookies. We couldn’t do it without you!
How can you make a difference?
Looking Forward
Responding to climate change threats
Our towns are in great need of our technical expertise to tackle these challenges and navigate the process of making costly, but critical upgrades. In 2024, we will increase our focus on this work, providing towns with services including grant and project management, project design, road planning, permitting, site evaluation, and grant proposal writing.
A new home for 30 Mile in 2024!
In late 2022, we purchased a building to become the watershed’s new center for lake protection. By revitalizing an abandoned building in the heart of Mount Vernon Village, we will create a new space for the community to work together to protect our beloved lakes and ponds. The center will house a large community meeting room, educational exhibits, a water quality lab, an equipment and tool library, and 30 Mile’s headquarters. Phase I. construction, which will include both floors of the barn, will begin in spring 2024. We plan to move our full operation there in the summer of 2024.
For updates on our progress, join our monthly e-newsletter list:
A Community Effort
It takes a whole community to protect our watershed.
Thank you to our 2023 Volunteers!
Volunteers are a vital part of 30 Mile’s team, generously contributing thousands of hours to make this work possible. You fill key roles across all areas of our work, including boat inspections, water quality monitoring, LakeSmart evaluations, invasive plant surveys, watershed surveys, office support, our Board of Directors, and more.
Volunteers
Volunteer hours
Thank you to our donors!
It takes a whole community to protect our watershed.
Thank you to ALL of the generous lake lovers who supported 30 Mile in 2023! Your gifts of all sizes demonstrate your commitment to the lakes, ponds, and streams in our watershed. We are grateful for you and the many ways you show up as a community to help care for these precious waters.
individuals and businesses contributed $156,869 in 2023, across 15 lakes and ponds
Save Androscoggin Campaign (2022-23)
Additionally, we continued to partner with the Androscoggin Lake Improvement Corporation (ALIC) to raise $164,135 to fight the invasive milfoil and to study and address the causes of the algal blooms. We exceeded our $150,000 campaign goal!
2023 Financial Report
Program Expenses by Program
Photo Credit: Karen Kurkjian (Banner)