Protecting the watershed from aquatic invasive species

Our Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) program takes a comprehensive approach to addressing invasives through prevention, early detection, and management. Courtesy Boat Inspectors (CBIs) are the “first line of defense,” preventing the spread of invasives via watercraft by thoroughly inspecting boats and trailers, and educating boaters about the threat of AIS. In 2025, our eight paid staff and 43 volunteer CBIs completed 3,976 inspections.

Annual plant surveys are critical to finding new infestations of invasives quickly, increasing chances of eradication and mitigating ecological, economic, and recreational impacts. In 2025, 132+ volunteers surveyed 400+ hours across 11 lakes and ponds in the watershed in search of AIS. 30 Mile staff provided key support to volunteers, including plant identification expertise, training opportunities, and survey assistance.

Managing invasives: Androscoggin to Tilton

During our 5th season fighting variable-leaf milfoil in Androscoggin Lake, we worked with the lake’s volunteer team to complete a thorough, lake-wide survey, finding no suspicious plants in any areas outside of the one cove where milfoil has been found. In addition to controlling the infestation by hand-removing milfoil plants, we deployed multiple benthic barriers—tarp-like mats that smother plants by blocking sunlight and preventing photosynthesis. Over the season, our staff spent more than 550 hours surveying the infested area for invasive milfoil plants, finding fewer than in previous years. Due to our work over the past five years, we have successfully prevented this infestation from spreading to other parts of the lake.

We are committed to preventing the spread of swollen bladderwort from Tilton Pond, at the top of our watershed, and to implementing solutions that effectively manage and reduce this invasive’s impact on the pond. In 2025, our staff completed two full surveys of David Pond (just below Tilton) and maintained four large nets to catch fragments flowing downstream.

We work closely with the Maine DEP to implement best management practices to effectively manage both infestations.

10th season monitoring lake health

From May to October, we collect vital data on water clarity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, phosphorus, and more to better understand and protect these ecosystems. This growing historical dataset enables us to identify long-term trends, assess risk, and be prepared to take action. In 2025, our staff worked alongside 35 dedicated volunteers to monitor and track the health of 13 lakes and ponds.

Welcome Sara York

Water Quality Specialist

Sara joined our team in April 2025 as our Water Quality Specialist. Sara oversees monitoring of the watershed’s lakes and ponds, data collection, training volunteers, assisting landowners with lake-friendly practices, and the work on Androscoggin Lake related to the algal blooms.

Addressing algal blooms on Androscoggin Lake

In 2025, Androscoggin Lake suffered its fourth lake-wide algal bloom in five years, and its first harmful algal bloom (HAB), with water clarity dropping below 1 meter (3.3 feet). In response, we completed intensified monitoring for a fourth consecutive season, gathering critical data to better understand these events. We also hosted a public forum, formed a steering committee, and made plans to hire lake science experts and engineers to investigate the blooms’ underlying causes and evaluate solutions to prevent future algal blooms.

Reducing soil pollution for cleaner lakes

As development increases across the watershed, so do the impacts of stormwater moving more quickly across the landscape, carrying sediment and phosphorus to our lakes. Reducing soil erosion is essential to protecting water quality and preventing algal blooms. To support this work, we are managing two multi-year Section 319 Clean Water Act grants, administered by Maine DEP in partnership with EPA. In 2025, these grants provided funding and technical assistance needed to address twelve priority erosion sites around Parker Pond and Androscoggin Lake, primarily on roads.

We also provided technical support to lakefront homeowners. As a regional LakeSmart HUB, we supported five volunteer lake teams and conducted 21 LakeSmart evaluations in 2025. These free visits provide tailored recommendations to help landowners manage their properties to protect water quality. Additionally, our live stakes program helped landowners plant nearly 500 live stakes. These woody shrub cuttings root quickly to stabilize eroding shorelines and offer a simple, low‑cost, and effective way to build healthier buffers!

Technical support for towns

Our technical support extends to the municipalities in our watershed. In Vienna, repeated storm damage and road washouts prompted us to secure two grants for the town. These funds provided the opportunity to complete the engineered design improvements needed for four high‑risk roads: Kimball Pond, Jesse Ladd, Tower, and Trask. The Tower Road project is expected to be completed in 2026 with assistance from our Parker Pond 319 grant (see Reducing soil pollution for cleaner lakes).

Welcome Gabrielle ‘Ellie’ Hatt

Land Use Coordinator

Ellie joined our team in December as Land Use Coordinator. She implements programs and activities related to erosion prevention and control. These include conducting watershed surveys; providing technical assistance to landowners, road associations, and towns; and managing grants for watershed protection.

Connecting community through stewardship

By bringing people together through our educational and recreational opportunities, we actively engage them in protecting our lakes and amplify our impact. Our hands-on programs and events increase knowledge, strengthen skills, and build community collaboration for lake health. Examples from 2025 include hosting and co-hosting plant identification workshops to strengthen skills that are a key part of prevention and early detection; bringing new and experienced volunteer water quality monitors together on Echo Lake for certification by Lake Stewards of Maine; and co-hosting a “Septic Social” for Androscoggin Lake residents to learn about septic system care and its impact on water quality. Throughout the year, we had a strong presence at town events, such as the Wayne Strawberry Festival. These opportunities allowed us to connect with community members, share our mission, and encourage involvement in protecting the watershed. We also began using our new space in Mt. Vernon to host public events, including two open houses and our first annual Lake Association Leadership Roundtable (see back page).

Photo: Our 16th annual Paddle Trek held on July 26th was our biggest ever, with 70 paddlers and over 30 volunteers!

Standing up for lake health

Since our inception in 2009, an important part of our work has been advocating for lake-related legislation in Augusta. In 2025, we helped co-found the Lake Protection Coalition, a collection of organizations, supported by individuals and businesses, who united to advance innovative, effective, science-based policy change, including long-term funding for sustaining healthy lakes in Maine.

In 2025, we supported four successful bills aimed to regulate floating structures, improve septic system regulations, prevent revenue loss from reduced registration requirements for small motorized boats, and enhance aquatic invasive species protections.