Watershed Surveys
Watershed survey staff and volunteers, Sept 2020
What is a Watershed Survey?
30 Mile works with Maine DEP, local partners, and trained volunteers to survey the watershed of each lake or pond to identify sources of erosion and runoff that could harm water quality. Watershed Surveys raise public awareness of watershed issues, the need for watershed protection, and the local stakeholders involved in lake protection, Watershed surveys also identify current erosion problems, the locations of these sites, and how severe the impact to water quality may be. Survey data is used to inform watershed planning efforts, provide cost-effective solutions for landowners, and to pursue grant funding for high-cost sites.
Soil erosion is the #1 threat to our lakes
Soil particles carry phosphorous – a nutrient that algae use to grow. Soil carried in stormwater runoff deposits phosphorus into nearby streams and lakes, where it is taken up by algae. Erosion problems anywhere within a watershed, even miles away, can affect the lake.
What is a watershed?
A watershed includes all the land that drains to a lake through streams, ditches, directly over the ground’s surface, or through groundwater. Even though a watershed may extend many miles away from the lake itself, it is actually part of the lake ecosystem. Lake water quality is a reflection of the surrounding watershed. A healthy watershed means a healthy lake!
Most Recent:
Save the Date! Pocasset Lake Watershed Survey to take place on 9/28/2023
This fall, 30 Mile River Watershed Association (30 Mile) and the Pocasset Lake Association (PLA) will conduct a survey of the Pocasset Lake watershed. The purpose of this field survey is to identify and prioritize sources of soil erosion and polluted stormwater runoff that can bring phosphorus into the lake from developed areas throughout the watershed.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! Attend a FREE training seminar and learn about watersheds, how to identify erosion and other sources of polluted stormwater runoff, and ways to help protect water quality in Pocasset Lake.
If you would like to be a survey volunteer, register online here: www.30mileriver.org/volunteer or contact Whitney Baker at (207) 860-4043
or whitney@30mileriver.org.
LANDOWNER OPT-OUT ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM
2022 Androscoggin Lake Watershed Survey Report now available!
In May 2022, 30 Mile River Watershed Association (30 Mile), with the support of its partners and local volunteers, conducted a survey of the Androscoggin Lake watershed. The purpose of the survey was to protect and improve water quality in the lake by identifying sources of soil erosion and polluted runoff that are now, or could in the future, pose a risk to water quality, and recommending solutions to correct the problems identified.
Trained volunteers and technical leaders surveyed the developed areas of the Androscoggin Lake Watershed, identifying 142 erosion sites that are impacting or have the potential to impact water quality. A final report provides an overview of survey results and prioritizes next steps. It is designed specifically for landowners living in the Androscoggin Lake watershed, and includes the towns of Wayne, Leeds, and Monmouth.
Key Survey Findings:
Survey volunteers and technical leaders identified a total of 142 sites across 11 different land uses that are likely impacting water quality in Androscoggin Lake. Findings include:
- 11% (16 sites) were determined to be high impact, and 56% (79 sites) were identified as medium impact. High and medium impact sites contribute higher amounts of pollution to the lake, and should be of highest priority for remedial action.
- High and medium impact sites were documented on a wide range of land use types, highlighting the fact that EVERYONE has a role to play in lake protection.
- 33% of all identified sites were classified as low impact to water quality (47 sites). 40% of all low impact sites were found on residential properties. Though low impact sites likely contribute less pollution individually, many sites can collectively have a big impact.
- Nearly 30% of all identified sites were documented on residential properties.
- Sites associated with roads and driveways made up over 40% of all sites (59 sites in total) and had varying impact ratings: 11 high impact, 27 medium impact, and 21 low impact sites.
Guidance for Landowners:
To help homeowners who want to make their properties more “lake-friendly”, the Maine DEP and Portland Water District produced a series of 24 fact sheets that answer many common “how-to” questions. The fact sheets profile common conservation practices that homeowners can use to protect water quality and include detailed instructions, diagrams, and color photos about installation and maintenance. The series includes the following Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs):
Other Helpful Information:
Gravel Road Maintenance Manual: A Guide for Landowners on Camp and other Gravel Roads. Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District and Maine DEP. April 2016. www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/camp/road/gravel_road_manual.pdf
A Guide to Forming Road Associations.
Maine Department of Environmental Protection. January 2020. www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/road_assoc_guide_2020_edit.pdf
Maine Shoreland Zoning – A Handbook for Shoreland Owners.
Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Spring 2008. www.mainerealtors.com/wpcontent/uploads/2019/02/citizenguide.pdf
Conservation Practices for Homeowners.
Maine DEP and Portland Water District. 2006. 24 fact sheets. www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/materials.html
Contractors Certified in Erosion Control Practices.
Maine DEP. www.maine.gov/dep/land/training/ccec.html
The Lake Book: A handbook for Lake Protection.
Maine Lakes. www.lakes.me/lakebook
Protect Your Pond Brochure.
Maine Lakes. 2021. www.lakes.me/protect.
Common Shrubs for Central Maine Shorelines.
Sue Gawler and Jack Bouchard for Maine Lakes. https://cdn.branchcms.com/DrynVOJolO-1457/docs/Lake%20Library/Common-Shrubs-5.14.21.pdf
Lakes Like Less Lawn.
Portland Water District. 2017. www.pwd.org/sites/default/files/lakes-llike-less-lawn.pdf
Lakeside Living: Caring for your Septic System.
Maine Lakes. 2021. https://cdn.branchcms.com/DrynVOJolO-1457/docs/Lake%20Library/Septic-two-pager-11×17-FINAL-5.14.21.pdf
Septic System Permit Search.
This service provided by The Division of Environmental and Community Health of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services allows citizens to search for the septic plans for a provided address. This service is provided by a third party working in partnership with the State of Maine: https://apps.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/mecdc/septicplans/index.pl
2020 Lovejoy Pond Watershed Survey
On September 26th, 2020, 22 people split into five teams spent the day walking properties and roads throughout the whole watershed, identifying sources of erosion and runoff that could harm water quality in the pond. Team members included University of Maine at Farmington students and faculty, Lovejoy Pond volunteers, and 30 Mile and DEP staff.
Lovejoy Pond is listed on Maine DEP’s NPS Priority Watershed List due to its sensitive sediment chemistry. This means that the sediments in Lovejoy Pond are more likely to release phosphorus should oxygen loss occur at the sediment-water interface. The survey was designed to identify soil erosion that may be contribute excess phosphorus to Lovejoy Pond.
During the survey, 51 erosion sites were found, ranging from small issues with simple fixes to more complex and severe problems. This fall and winter, we will be compiling the results and notifying landowners with erosion sites about what was found, offering suggestions for improvements. The information collected will not be used for enforcement or regulatory purposes. This data will enable us to prioritize and address issues to better protect the health of Lovejoy Pond.
Lovejoy Pond Watershed Survey Key Findings
Survey volunteers and technical leaders identified a total of 51 sites across ten different land uses that are likely impacting water quality in Lovejoy Pond. Findings include:
- 27% (14 sites) were determined to be high impact, and 35% (18 sites) were identified as medium impact. High and medium impact sites contribute higher amounts of pollution to the pond, and should be of highest priority for remedial action.
- High and medium impact sites were documented on a wide range of land use types, highlighting the fact that EVERYONE has a role to play in lake protection.
- 37% of all identified sites were classified as low impact to water quality (19 sites). Nearly 3⁄4 of all low impact sites were found on residential properties. Though low impact sites likely contribute less pollution individually, many sites can collectively have a big impact.
- 45% of all identified sites were documented on residential properties.
- Sites associated with roads and driveways made up almost 40% of all sites and had varying impact ratings: 7 high impact, 9 medium impact, and 3 low impact sites.
