Keep It Blue: Fight Algal Blooms on Androscoggin Lake
The Keep It Blue Campaign is raising $75,000 to support the completion of a comprehensive Watershed-Based Management Plan (WBMP) for improving and maintaining the quality of Androscoggin Lake.
Why does Androscoggin Lake need a plan?
- Six algal blooms have been identified on Androscoggin Lake in the past 50 years, including four in the last five years.
- The 2025 bloom was particularly severe, qualifying as a harmful algal bloom that restricted recreational use for extended periods and threatened people, wildlife habitat, fisheries, and plant life.
- While algae occurs naturally, excess phosphorus can fuel algal blooms, along with other contributing factors.
- Reducing phosphorus requires understanding land use, watershed characteristics, and water quality conditions across the watershed.
- A comprehensive plan turns new and updated data into action through concrete solutions, timelines, milestones, and monitoring to measure progress.
- Strong planning brings the community together – towns, lake property owners, and others who depend on and care about the lake – to develop locally supported strategies for protecting and restoring water quality.
- A DEP-approved watershed plan can unlock eligibility for state and federal funding to implement recommended strategies.
How does poor water quality in Androscoggin Lake impact the community?
Androscoggin Lake’s health has broad impacts on the community, affecting recreation, wildlife, local businesses, and the economy. Harmful algal blooms can restrict swimming, boating, kayaking, and other activities; threaten present endangered species, fish, plants, and other aquatic ecosystems; and disrupt camps and other lake-based operations that families rely on. Poor lake health can also reduce waterfront and nearby property values and, in turn, local property tax revenues—a significant concern in communities like Wayne and Leeds, where lakefront properties account for a substantial share of the tax base.
Androscoggin is more at risk than ever before.
On August 5th, a continuous monitoring buoy was deployed at the deep hole monitoring station on Androscoggin Lake.
Sara, Water Quality Specialist at 30 Mile, conducts sampling activities this summer on the lake.
How much will developing the plan cost and what drives those costs?
The total cost for developing the Watershed-Based Management Plan is $225,000. Costs center around hiring expert consultants, data collection, and producing the plan. Expenditures include desktop and field surveys, continuous monitoring, sampling and analysis, stakeholder engagement, technical advisory committee meetings, plan document drafting, public meetings, DEP review, and final plan submission.
How is the plan being paid for?
Project partners are seeking funds from a diverse set of state and local, public and private sources. Several entities have already contributed approximately $150,000 towards the total project budget.
The Keep It Blue Campaign is currently seeking the remaining $75,000 from local lake champions.
How can I donate to Keep It Blue?
To donate, click on the button below. Or, send a check payable to the 30 Mile River Watershed Association, with “Keep It Blue” in the memo line.
Who is managing this campaign?
The Androscoggin Lake Steering Committee represents, Wayne, Leeds, ALIC, 30 Mile, businesses, lakefront owners, and lake users – all working together to provide a forum for meaningful citizen dialogue and discussion to foster a realistic and timely action plan to restore the health of Androscoggin Lake. This includes fundraising for the Watershed-Based Management Plan (WBMP). The budget for the WBMP is $225,000, with a $75,000 fundraising goal for the Keep It Blue Campaign. The 30 Mile River Watershed Association (501)(c)(3) will steward the funds and accept donations designated for Keep It Blue.
