Hancock Pond and Sands Pond, Denmark, Maine – Two for One for Lakefront Property Owners

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Hancock Pond and Sands Pond, Denmark, Maine – Two for One for Lakefront Property Owners


Aptly named Sands Pond in Denmark, Maine
Hancock and Sands Pond Association member, JoAnne Harbourt, is a year round resident who serves on the Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) Board of Directors.

Lakefront Properties For Sale on Hancock Pond

“When Carl and I were first looking at properties,” she says, “we went to LEA to ask about the water quality of Hancock Pond. What is Hancock Pond about? Are there any potential problems?” JoAnne appreciates that potential homeowners have a resource like LEA to check for this information.Though Hancock Pond and Sands Pond, which are connected by a narrow thoroughfare, have been rated to be above average most years, the rains of the last two summers have shown some changes in clarity according to an LEA report. Chlorophyll and phosphorous levels, however, ranked better than the long-term average.
Hancock Pond covers 858 acres and has a maximum depth of 64 feet while Sands Pond is 256 acres with a maximum depth of 49 feet, though most of it is much shallower.
According to local folklore, the dug way between the two ponds was originally wider and built by logging companies, who also built a dam on Hancock Pond, probably 150-200 years ago. Today, in the high water of spring, a motor boat can move easily between the two ponds, but by the end of summer, the thoroughfare is only accessible via canoe or kayak.
Each pond has its own unique feeling. Hancock, with its squat hourglass shape and deeper depths, allows for more waterskiing, but bigger boats find the size of the pond too small, thus adding to the tranquility.
Sands Pond, originally called Little Hancock Pond and known by some locals as Walden Pond because Camp Walden is located here, has many glacial outcroppings that JoAnne describes as “lovely to bump your kayak against and let the kids explore.”

View Vacation Rentals on Sand (Walden) Pond

Wildlife sightings are abundant any season of the year. JoAnne has seen a moose crash through the woods and trudge down to the lake. Bears stroll along the road. An eagle hunts from a perch in one of their pines (especially during ice fishing season when they like to strut about after the fishermen have left their fishing holes for the day). JoAnne also regularly sees raccoons, loons, turkeys and a favorite chipmunk, who so far has evaded hawks and a heron.
In order to keep Hancock Pond and Sands Pond in as near a pristine state as possible, the Association supports the Milfoil Prevention Program in two ways: they use grant monies from LEA to pay Courtesy Boat Inspectors and they have trained at least 40 people to be Pond Watchers. Pond Watchers are folks willing to keep track of what’s going on plantwise in front of their homes/camps.
One of the residents, Jesse Dubin, is a mushroom expert, but he is also knowledgeable about water plants. And what he doesn’t know, he’s not afraid to take to LEA and ask Colin Holme or Peter Lowell. The Association holds an annual meeting, sends out one or two newsletters each year and is developing a Web site.
If you are looking for a lakefront property, this just might be your place. As JoAnne says of the two ponds, “They are lovely ponds, serene, lovely, lovely spots.”
Check out the current lakefront property for sale on Hancock Pond by clicking on the green box above.

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