Highland Lake

Town: Bridgton and Sweden

Organization: Lakes Environmental Association

Surface Area: 1,334 acres

Maximum depth: 50 feet

Public Boat Access: Yes

Milfoil: None

The Lakes Environmental Association has done testing on 37 lakes in Western Maine, and has given Highland Lake a water quality grade of a B-, because of high phosphorous concentrations in its deeper waters. Fortunately, there is no milfoil in Highland Lake, and the LEA works to educate the public to keep it that way. Those visiting Highland Lake and other ponds or lakes with public boat access are urged to check their boats and remove any plants before they enter the water.

Long Lake

Town: Bridgton, Harrison and Naples

Organization: Lakes Environmental Association

Surface Area: 4,935 acres

Maximum Depth: 34 feet

Public Boat Access: Yes

Milfoil: None

Long Lake is milfoil-free, but is connected to Sebago Lake and Brandy Pond, which are both infested with milfoil. The second largest lake in southern Maine, Long Lake is a popular spot for fishing, waterskiing and boating, all of which could be impacted if an invasive specie is introduced. The Songo River project works to keep milfoil out of Long Lake, by harvesting milfoil out of the Songo and Brandy Pond, which could be carried by currents and boat traffic into Long Lake.

Trickey Pond

Town: Naples

Organization: Lakes Environmental Association

Surface Area: 315 acres

Maximum depth: 57 feet

Public Boat Access: Yes

Milfoil: none

Trickey Pond has the best clarity of all the lakes monitored by the Lakes Environmental Association. This is probably because it is fed by underground springs. Not only does this account for Trickey’s clear water, but it also eliminates the possibility of invasive species being introduced through other bodies of water. However, boat transmission is a possibility, and signs identifying milfoil and reminding boaters to remove plants from boats before entering the water are posted at the boat access area.

Brandy Pond

Town: Naples

Organization: Lakes Environmental Association

Surface Area: 733 acres

Maximum Depth: 44 feet

Public Boat Access: Yes

Milfoil: Variable-leaf

An infestation of variable-leaf milfoil on Brandy Pond was confirmed in November of 2004. The plant was first discovered by a resident in the Causeway Marina, and was likely carried through currents from the Songo River. The Lakes Environmental Association is using its resources to eradicate milfoil in Brandy Pond. Peter Lowell of the Lakes Environmental Association thinks that through hand-pulling and benthic barriers, they may have eradicated the infestation.

Songo River

Town: Naples

Organization: Lakes Environmental Association

Surface Area: A?3?4 of a mile long

Public Boat Access: Yes

Milfoil: Variable-leaf

Variable-leaf milfoil was found above and below the locks in October of 2004. The Lakes Environmental Association is working to eradicate the problem on their pontoon boat this summer. Divers lay barriers and suction near the locks, and with an infested area of roughly 2 square acres, the Lakes Environmental Association’s Peter Lowell said that the Songo is a good test case to show how these eradication methods will work.

Watchic Lake

Town: Standish

Organization: Watchic Lake Association

Surface Area: 448 acres

Maximum Depth: 59 feet

Milfoil: none

Public Boat Access: Yes

The area surrounding Watchic Lake is largely residential and wooded. Though there is no milfoil in Watchic Lake, the Watchic Lake Association is working hard at prevention. With a solid base of residential membership, the Watchic Lake Association encourages all residents to join. Though no rivers or lakes feed into Watchic Lake, there is public boat access for kayaks and canoes at Kiwanis Beach, making milfoil transmission by boat a major concern. Signs have been posted at the boat launch to help boaters identify invasive species. Patricia Guenthner, president of the Watchic Lake Association, believes information is the greatest weapon in the fight against milfoil. She hopes to hold educational sessions for residents in conjunction with the Maine Lakes Volunteer Monitoring Program next year. Also, the association is involved with the DEP’s LakeSmart Program, which teaches residents ways to make their waterfront property more lake-friendly.

“We’re trying to be proactive in this situation…prevention is the best thing. And education as well,” said Guenthner.

Little Sebago Lake

Town: Windham and Gray

Organization: The Little Sebago Lake Association

Surface Area: 1,898 acres

Maximum Depth: 52 feet

Milfoil: Hybrid

Public Boat Access: Yes

Tom Williams, secretary of the Little Sebago Lake Association, describes this variable-leaf-like hybrid milfoil as having a bright red stem, making it easy to see. First documented in 2003, there are infestations in the lower, middle, and upper portions of Little Sebago, some of which have spread to the middle of the lake.

The Little Sebago Lake Association is something of a pioneer in the realm of milfoil eradication. Two pontoon boats were donated to the association, for which it designed a suction harvesting system that has since caught on with the Lakes Environmental Association in Bridgton. Williams said he feels the best way to deal with milfoil is to manage it, as total eradication is difficult. An inspector funded by the state works at the public boat launch full-time, and crews work five days a week at suctioning milfoil and laying barriers down on the lake floor. Also, the association ran a plant-identification class for residents earlier this summer.

“This is the first year we’ve felt we’ve had the right tools,” said Williams. “We’re still in full-court press to get ahead of it,” he added.

Sebago Lake

Town: Casco, Naples, Sebago, Standish, Raymond and Windham

Organizations: Portland Water District, Friends of Sebago Lake, Raymond Waterways Protective Association

Surface Area: 28,771 acres

Maximum Depth: 316 feet

Milfoil: Variable-leaf

Public Boat Access: Yes

As the second largest lake in the state, Sebago Lake is a tremendous source of recreational tourism and an integral part of the Lakes Region economy. Variable-leaf milfoil was documented in Sebago Lake in 1970 by the Portland Water District. There were originally 12 colonies, but today that number has more than doubled.

Sebago Lake has some protection because of its depth, since milfoil does not thrive in waters deeper than 20 feet. However, milfoil in Sebago Lake can still cause problems for boaters and swimmers near the shore. The Portland Water District is responsible for milfoil management on Sebago, along with individual lake associations, like Friends of Sebago Lake and Raymond Waterways Protective Association. Boat inspections are offered at public boat launches. Also, the Portland Water District works with the Maine Volunteer Lakes Monitoring Program and the Department of Environmental Protection to fight the spread of milfoil on Sebago Lake.

Presumpscot River

Town: Windham, Gorham, Westbrook, Falmouth and Portland

Organizations: Presumpscot River Watch, Friends of the Presumpscot River

Surface Area: 27 miles

Public Boat Access: Yes

Milfoil: Variable-leaf

Milfoil was first documented on the Presumpscot River in 2001 by Maine Volunteer Lakes Monitoring Program staff. There are dense infestations between Dundee and Newhall Ponds. The Presumpscot River is the main outlet for Sebago Lake, and faces water quality problems as well as milfoil infestation. Presently, there are no eradication efforts to correct the situation. According to Will Plumley, of the Friends of the Presumpscot River, fighting milfoil is not a top priority for the organization.

“I think that when (milfoil) infests a standing water body, such as a lake or pond, it can be a bigger problem than in flowing water…There are bigger issues along the river and more opportunities to make a positive difference than addressing milfoil,” said Plumley.

Collins Pond

Town: Windham

Organization: The Collins Pond Improvement Association

Surface Area: 42 acres

Maximum Depth: 18 feet

Public Boat Access: No

Milfoil: Hybrid

Currents probably carried milfoil to Collins Pond, which lies downstream from Little Sebago Lake. Hybrid milfoil was confirmed in 2004. The Volunteer Lakes Monitoring Program has trained members of the Collins Pond Improvement Association to monitor the infestation. Paula Monahan, who has been on the board for three years, is a trained monitor, and said that the association uses benthic barrier mats to prevent new plants from growing. So far, the infestation seems to be confined to coves and narrows, but Monahan said that because it is a shallow pond, Collins could face rapid infestation, which motivates her group to be proactive.

Raymond Pond

Town: Raymond

Organization: Raymond Waterways Protective Association

Surface Area: 346 acres

Maximum Depth: 42 feet

Public Boat Access: Yes

Milfoil: None

The Raymond Waterways Protective Association covers all the ponds and lakes in Raymond. Raymond Waterways has been proactive in fighting milfoil by running boat inspections, educational sessions and water quality surveys in each body of water. Raymond Pond was last surveyed in August of 2006 by trained volunteers, Bob and Barbara O’Neil. Another survey will be done this August.

Panther Pond

Town: Raymond

Organization: Panther Pond Association, Raymond Waterways Protective Association

Surface Area: 1,411 acres

Maximum Depth: 68 feet

Public Boat Access: No

Milfoil: None

Though Panther Pond presently has no milfoil, Ben Severn, of the Panther Pond Association, said that as a shallow pond, Panther Pond could face catastrophic damage if milfoil made its way in. Officially, there is no public boat access, but non-residents can bring boats in through private property on Mill Street. Severn and his wife Sandi recently posted a sign at Panther Pond, warning boaters to remove any plants from boats before entering the water.

The Panther Pond Association works with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Volunteer Lakes Monitoring Program, and Raymond Waterways Protective Association to keep its pond milfoil-free. Raymond Waterways staff conducted a water quality survey last summer, and will do the same this August.

“We’re trying to get at it in a very, very positive way in order to get people involved,” said Severn.

Notched Pond

Town: Raymond and Gray

Organization: Raymond Waterways Protective Association

Surface Area: 72 acres

Maximum Depth: 21 feet

Public Boat Access: No

Milfoil: None

Though Notched Pond has no public boat access, it is a small pond, and could become infested quickly if a small piece of milfoil made its way in. Last August, Notched Pond was surveyed by trained volunteer Greg Bucklin. Another survey will be conducted this August.

Crescent Lake

Town: Raymond and Casco

Organization: Raymond Waterways Protective Association

Surface Area: 717 acres

Maximum Depth: 54 feet

Public Boat Access: Yes

Milfoil: none

With a public boat launch, Crescent Lake is susceptible to milfoil transmission by boat. Last August, the entire Raymond Waterways staff surveyed the water, which turned up no new milfoil plants. This August, the staff will conduct the survey again.

Thomas Pond

Town: Raymond and Casco

Organization: Raymond Waterways Protective Association

Surface Area: 497 acres

Maximum Depth: 64 feet

Public Boat Access: Yes

Milfoil: none

Though Thomas Pond reaches 64 feet in depth, much of it is shallow, especially in coves. Milfoil can thrive in shallow areas. This, coupled with public boat access, puts Thomas Pond at particular risk for infestation. The Raymond Waterways staff surveyed Thomas Pond last August, and will again this month.