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Help Us Fix Moose Pond
Though Moose Pond’s water quality remains one of the highest in our area, the constant loading of nutrients through storm water runoff is changing our lake.
Trend analysis from 1990-2010 as well as from 2000-2010 both show a downward trend in water clarity which is a key indicator of lake health.
More algae growth and more sediment in the water column are the two most likely causes for this trend. In the 10 year period from 1992-2001,
average water clarity was 25.1 feet. In the last 10 years, average water clarity has dropped to 23.6 feet, which is a 6% decline.
Phosphorus, which is the nutrient that controls algae populations in the lake, enters Moose Pond through streams and tributaries, stormwater
runoff, snowmelt and from the air. Although decaying organic matter and the weathering of rocks release some phosphorus to downstream waters,
the majority of this nutrient comes from human sources.
Roads, yards, driveways, houses and poor septic systems are all major sources. Studies have shown that developed land exports 5 to 10 times more
phosphorus than undeveloped land. This extra phosphorus is immediately taken up by algae which quickly grow and reproduce thus lowering water
clarity.
Excessive algae growth leads to increased bacterial decomposition in the deeper waters which reduces dissolved oxygen concentrations. This process
can reduce or eliminate habitat for cold water fish such as salmon and trout. This problem is occurring right now in Moose Pond and will only get
worse in the future unless corrective action is taken to address the driving issue of phosphorus pollution.
The decline in water quality that Moose Pond is experiencing is the result of our failure to adequately control storm water runoff from development
within the land that drains to the pond. Poor land use decisions and management practices on both residential and commercial property throughout the
watershed are changing Moose Pond’s water quality and this trend can only be reversed with the help of everyone in the watershed.
The following articles can help you to learn about the things we all can do to help protect our pond. Just click on one of the titles to open up the article or guide.
Managing the watershed to protect lakes
| Document | Link | File Type | Categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Why You Should Be Concerned About Soil Erosion | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Understanding Environmental Laws and Requirements | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Maine – A Geographical Perspective | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| An Overview of Lake Ecology | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Lakefront Property Owners Demand for Water Clarity | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Resources for Lake Information | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Impact of Development on Maine Surface Waters | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Guide to Shoreland Zoning | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Field Guide to Aquatic Phenomena | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| The Economic Impact of Lake Use and Water Quality | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes |
Managing your property
| Document | Link | File Type | Categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applying Fertilizers on Home Gardens | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Minimizing Erosion With Sediment Barriers and Mulching | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Designing Your Landscape for Maine | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Managing Roof Runoff on Homes With Gutters – 2 |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Managing Roof Runoff on Homes Without Gutters – 1 |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Stabilizing Severe Erosion on Lakefronts | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Erosion Control for Home Owners | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Contolling Erosion On Steep Paths |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Managing Runoff From Rooftops and Paved Areas | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Know Your Soil – Organic Matter | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Stabilizing the Banks of Streams, Rivers and Lakes |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Managing Foot Traffic for Lake Protection |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Managing Roof Runoff In Your Backyard (Rain Barrels) |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Adding a Raingarden to Your Landscape |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Retrofitting Steps to Control Erosion On Paths |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Maine Statute: Title 38 Waters & Navigation, Chapter 3, Sub-Chapter 1, Article 2:Pollution Control |
| Web Link | Managing your property, Property Management Guides |
Septic System Management
| Document | Link | File Type | Categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintaining Septic Systems |
| Property Management Guides, Septic System Management | |
| Septic System Considerations | Property Management Guides, Septic System Management | ||
| If Your Septic System Fails | Property Management Guides, Septic System Management | ||
| Septic System User Notes | Property Management Guides, Septic System Management | ||
| What To Know About Septic Systems | Property Management Guides, Septic System Management | ||
| Septic System |
| Property Management Guides, Septic System Management |
Plants That Are Good To Have
| Document | Link | File Type | Categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Vegitation To Protect Water Quality | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Plant Hardiness Zones | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Native Plant List – Partial Sun and Dry Soil | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Native Plant List – Partial Sun and Wet Soil | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Native Plant List – Shade and Dry Soil | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Native Plant List – Shade and Wet Soil | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Native Plant List – Sun and Dry Soil | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Native Plant List – Sun and Wet Soil | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Plants To Use and Plants To Avoid | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides |
Plants That Are Not Good To Have
| Document | Link | File Type | Categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive Plant Screening Survey Procedures |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have | |
| Brazilian Waterweed |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have | |
| Eurasian Milfoil |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have | |
| Fanwort |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have | |
| Hydrilla |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have | |
| Variable Milfoil |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have | |
| Water Chestnut |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have |
All Articles and Guides
| Document | Link | File Type | Categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Why You Should Be Concerned About Soil Erosion | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Understanding Environmental Laws and Requirements | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Maine – A Geographical Perspective | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| An Overview of Lake Ecology | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Lakefront Property Owners Demand for Water Clarity | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Resources for Lake Information | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Impact of Development on Maine Surface Waters | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Guide to Shoreland Zoning | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Field Guide to Aquatic Phenomena | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| The Economic Impact of Lake Use and Water Quality | General Information Guides, Managing the watershed to protect lakes | ||
| Using Vegitation To Protect Water Quality | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Plant Hardiness Zones | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Native Plant List – Partial Sun and Dry Soil | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Native Plant List – Partial Sun and Wet Soil | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Native Plant List – Shade and Dry Soil | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Native Plant List – Shade and Wet Soil | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Native Plant List – Sun and Dry Soil | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Native Plant List – Sun and Wet Soil | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Plants To Use and Plants To Avoid | Plants That Are Good To Have, Property Management Guides | ||
| Applying Fertilizers on Home Gardens | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Minimizing Erosion With Sediment Barriers and Mulching | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Designing Your Landscape for Maine | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Managing Roof Runoff on Homes With Gutters – 2 |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Managing Roof Runoff on Homes Without Gutters – 1 |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Stabilizing Severe Erosion on Lakefronts | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Erosion Control for Home Owners | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Contolling Erosion On Steep Paths |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Managing Runoff From Rooftops and Paved Areas | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Know Your Soil – Organic Matter | Managing your property, Property Management Guides | ||
| Stabilizing the Banks of Streams, Rivers and Lakes |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Managing Foot Traffic for Lake Protection |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Managing Roof Runoff In Your Backyard (Rain Barrels) |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Adding a Raingarden to Your Landscape |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Retrofitting Steps to Control Erosion On Paths |
| Managing your property, Property Management Guides | |
| Maintaining Septic Systems |
| Property Management Guides, Septic System Management | |
| Septic System Considerations | Property Management Guides, Septic System Management | ||
| If Your Septic System Fails | Property Management Guides, Septic System Management | ||
| Septic System User Notes | Property Management Guides, Septic System Management | ||
| What To Know About Septic Systems | Property Management Guides, Septic System Management | ||
| Septic System |
| Property Management Guides, Septic System Management | |
| Invasive Plant Screening Survey Procedures |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have | |
| Brazilian Waterweed |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have | |
| Eurasian Milfoil |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have | |
| Fanwort |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have | |
| Hydrilla |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have | |
| Variable Milfoil |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have | |
| Water Chestnut |
| Invasive Plants Guides, Plants That Are Not Good To Have | |
| Maine Statute: Title 38 Waters & Navigation, Chapter 3, Sub-Chapter 1, Article 2:Pollution Control |
| Web Link | Managing your property, Property Management Guides |