Linda Bacon (ME DEP) first helped us address our angry crowds, and then we turned to Jen Jespersen (EI) to learn how East Pond (Belgrade) had recently responded to similar conditions. We adapted a quote and perspective that, “The greatest threat to our Pond is the belief that someone else will save it.” We focused on a universal common goal – clean water, encouraged people to act immediately to improve their properties (Maine Lakes’ LakeSmart program), and asked the community for a year to collect data, formulate a plan and raise money.

The 2019 data indicated that Georges experienced a significant increase in phosphorus from internal loading (released from deep-water sediment during summer stratification and anoxia). This internal loading had presumably been happening for years. After considering many options (Ken Wagner, WRS), an Alum treatment was recommended to reduce the internal phosphorus loading. In May 2020 and 2021, we engaged HAB Aquatic Solutions to apply Alum and Lake Stewards of Maine to actively monitor water quality during treatment. Georges Pond thus became the 8th Maine lake to be alum-treated.

Our community is thrilled with the progress. Secchi readings have improved from a record low of 0.69m in 2018 to a record high of 7.55m in 2021. Total Phosphorus levels have dropped from a high of 27ppb in 2019 to a low of 9ppb in 2021. GPA membership has grown from 35 to 219 members. GPA has raised over $365,000. More than 50% of all property owners have completed LakeSmart surveys. Our community is successfully completing Phase 1 of an USEPA/MEDEP 319 Grant in 2021 and beginning another (Phase2) in 2022. And, LSM has trained more GPA citizen scientists. More on the alum treatment is HERE and images are HERE.

We are also pleased with how well our community has coalesced around our common good – clean water. We must continue to improve our property buffers, our gravel roads, and our septic systems. We are working more closely with our Town on improving public access and to promote Best Management Practices (BMPs) and adherence going forward. We believe that “The clarity of our lake will be a reflection of how well we take care of it.”

We are grateful for an outstanding community of willing experts and teachers (ME DEP, EI, WRS, LSM, HAB, and Maine Lakes). And, just as East Pond helped us, we are helping other lakes around Maine.

Find out more about Georges Pond HERE.

Click here for All Featured Lakes

Show Less ▲

These nearby lakes are created by a radial distance measure from the center of each lake. You can scroll around the map, but only the immediate area around the lake will display the pink site markers. If you want to find a lake that is to the south and outside of the range of the site markers, you can click the most southerly pink site marker, opening up that lake’s overview page to reach its map and its nearby lakes.

If you don’t see a lake listed on the map that you think should be there (it is within the range of pink site markers but is not shown), feel free to send us a message about it. You can reach us at [email protected] or contact us by visiting www.lakestewardsofmaine.org.

Click here for previous What's New

Show Less ▲

Dave Courtemanch (click for video) is a freshwater scientist at The Nature Conservancy and is a former director of DEP’s Division of Environmental Assessment. Dave underscores the value of long-term data - a resource made possible by LSM/VLMP volunteers monitoring Maine lakes.

Steve Norton (click for video) is Professor Emeritus in the School of Earth & Climate Sciences, University of Maine. Steve pays tribute to LSM/VLMP volunteers and explains some of the ways in which the lakes database is being used to help manage and protect this part of our natural heritage.

Also, Scott Williams (LSM Executive Director) has produced a short article about the early years of VLMP and the treasure trove of Secchi data produced by volunteers.

Click here for previous Did You Know? stories

Show Less ▲