Maine Lakefront Property Owners Welcome Invasive Aquatic Plant Removal Programs

Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine Feb. 13-19
Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine Feb. 13-19
February 13, 2014
Maine Lakefront Property Owners Recognize Benefits of Lake Protection
Maine Lakefront Property Owners Recognize Benefits of Lake Protection
February 16, 2014

Maine Lakefront Property Owners Welcome Invasive Aquatic Plant Removal Programs

Maine Lakefront Property Owners Welcome Invasive Aquatic Plant Removal Programs

Evening Colors Reflect on Damariscotta Lake in Newcastle, Maine

by Leigh Macmillen Hayes

Maine lakefront property owners should be happy to note that in 2013, no new invasive aquatic plant infestations were reported. Jacolyn Bailey, program director for the Maine Milfoil Initiative at Saint Joseph’s College, informs us that the count remains “at five aquatic plant invaders (hydrilla, curly-leaf pondweed, European naiad, Eurasian watermilfoil, and variable-leaf watermilfoil) and 24 infested areas in Maine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to Jackey, Diver Assisted Suction Harvesters (DASH) in operation across the state worked in these infested waterbodies: Lake Arrowhead (2), Collins Pond, Little Sebago Lake (2), Messalonskee Lake, Pleasant Pond (W. Gardiner, Litchfield, Richmond), Songo River, Sebago Lake (Turtle Cove and Sebago Cove), Thompson Lake, West Pond (Parsonsfield), Great Pond and Shagg Pond. These groups also used benthic barriers and hand removal techniques. Associations on infested lakes without DASH units also worked to remove their infestations by deploying benthic barriers and participating in hand removal activities. These include the following: The Basin (upstream of Lake Auburn), Bryant Pond, Cushman Pond, Hogan Pond, Pleasant Lake/Parker Pond, Brandy Pond and Spaulding Pond.”

While the two hydrilla infestations appear to be under control, annual monitoring and removal will be critical to keep them at bay. “Pickerel Pond has had no hydrilla plants found in three of the last four years (one plant was found in 2012) with the last herbicide treatment being in 2011,” notes Jackey. “Surveys by DEP and Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association continue to detect hydrilla at the two locations on Damariscotta Lake but, again, plant growth at each site remains at a manageable level.”
She tells us that, “The two Eurasian watermilfoil infestations in Maine are in Pleasant Hill Pond and Salmon Lake (where monitoring showed the plant was confined to the outlet cove). Unfortunately, the Pleasant Hill Pond herbicide treatments were not successful as the plant is coming back with fervor. Salmon Lake, however, is showing promise as there have not been any plants found since the fall 2009 herbicide treatment.”
Strong volunteer efforts help in the removal process. Folks on West Pond in Parsonsfield have kept the curly-leaf pondweed infestation under control and there is interest in trying to do the same for Legion Pond in Kittery. The latter has two invasive aquatic plants: curly-leaf pondweed and European naiad.
Variable-leaf watermilfoil infestations have been reported in 18 of the 24 bodies of water. Positive progress has been made on most of these streams, rivers. ponds and lakes. Says Jackey, “Little Sebago Lake reported cautious optimism with their work in the upper basin, as they are now working to remove smaller single plants, as opposed to the giant “hedges” they started out working on.”
Lakes Environmental Association’s work on the Songo River has continued as we’ve reported in an earlier blog post. Under an agreement with DEP, they’ve piloted a project using organic burlap material for benthic barriers. “The material is negatively buoyant so does not need to be weighted down and are just secured with untreated hardwood stakes,” says Jackey. “The hope is that the material will kill off the plants underneath, deteriorate so not need to be removed, and allow new native plants to grow. Please note that before anyone attempts control of invasive aquatic plants with a new technique–or any technique for that matter–you should contact Maine DEP at milfoil@maine.gov.”
Plant removal has continued on Pleasant Pond, Cobbossee Stream, Great Pond, Great Meadow Stream, Belgrade Stream and Messalonskee Lake in the Belgrade Lakes Region.
Jackey concludes: “While many groups are making progress, everyone recognized that they are in it for the long-haul: some have been working on removal for almost a decade!  It is their dedication and determination that keeps them and their communities fighting.”
To learn more about lakefront properties for sale on Damariscotta Lake, click on the green box above.
To learn more about Mid Coast Lakes Region of Maine, check out the blog links below.
Damariscotta Lake, Newcastle, Nobleboro and Jefferson, Maine: Miles of Exploration Opportunities for Lakefront Property Owners
Paradise Pond, Damariscotta, Maine: Serene Setting for On The Pond Lakefront Property Owners

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