Watershed Surveys
Pocasset watershed survey staff and volunteers, Sept 2023
Volunteers Needed!
On April 25th, we are completing a survey of Echo Lake’s watershed – join us! No experience needed. Click HERE for frequently asked questions about volunteering for a survey.
Echo Lake Watershed Survey Opt-Outs
If you received our landowner notification letter, your property is within the Echo Lake or Taylor Pond watershed, and we hope to include it in the upcoming survey. If you would prefer to opt your property out, please use the form below.
What is a watershed?
A watershed is the total area of land that drains into a lake, stream, river or bay. Watersheds drain (or “shed”) water into lakes via streams or ditches, directly over the ground surface via roadways and development, or through groundwater. Everything that happens in a lake watershed has the potential to have an impact on the health of the lake, for better or for worse. No matter where you live – you are in a watershed!
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.