the Water Column A Publication of the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program

Vol. 18, No. 1 Fall 2013 CITIZEN LAKE SCIENTISTS Their Vital Role in Monitoring & Protecting Maine Lakes What’s Inside President's Message ...... 2 President’s Lakeside Notes: Citizen Lake Scientists ...... 3 Littorally Speaking: Moosehead Survey ...... 4 Quality Counts: Certification & Data Credibility . . . 6 Chinese Mystery Snails ...... 7 Message Is The Secchi Disk Becoming Obsolete? ...... 8 Bill Monagle IPP Season in Review ...... 9 President, VLMP Board of Directors The VLMP Lake Monitoring Advantage ...... 10 Thank You Donors! ...... 12 2013 VLMP Annual Conference ...... 14 In The Wake of Thoreau... Welcome New Monitors! ...... 16 n a recent sunny and calm autumn what he could not see. An interesting Camp Kawanhee Braves High Winds . . . . . 17 afternoon while sipping tea with a perspective, wouldn’t you agree? VLMP Advisory Board Welcomes New Members . . . 18 O friend (well, one of us was sipping tea) How Do You Monitor Ice-Out? ...... 19 I am sharing this with you because on the dock of her lakeside home on 2013 Interns ...... 20 & 22 while my friend and I were enjoying Cobbossee Lake, and marveling at the Passings ...... 21 our refreshments and conversation, splendor before us, my friend remarked, Notices ...... 22 my thoughts went directly to the many ‘as a limnologist, I gather you see things volunteer lake monitors and invasive that the average observer cannot when plant patrollers of the Maine VLMP, looking out over a lake.' Well, that may and how essential your contributions be partly true. Having been involved are to more fully documenting and in lake science for over thirty years, I understanding the condition of many can speculate about what is occurring of Maine’s lakes and ponds. In essence, VLMP Staff beneath the lake surface, and my you help us better “see” what might Scott Williams Executive Director estimate might be close. But in reality, I otherwise go unobserved and Roberta Hill Invasive Species Program Director really don’t know for certain the drama Jonnie Maloney Program Coordinator undocumented. For an excellent that is unfolding on the complex stage Christine Guerette Program Assistant expression of the value of the Linda Bacon QA/QC Advisor (Maine DEP) of the lake ecosystem in any specific scientifically-based observations that time or place. Board of Directors VLMP’s many certified lake monitors Bill Monagle, President (Winthrop) All of which reminds me of a comment provide, whether by gathering Secchi Clyde Walton, Vice President (Fayette) by Darby Nelson regarding Henry transparency readings, or screening for Lew Wetzel, Treasurer (Casco) David Thoreau, who is considered by invasive aquatic plants, I direct you Phoebe Hardesty, Secretary (New Gloucester) many to be America’s first limnologist. to VLMP Executive Director Scott Malcolm Burson (Portland) In his excellent book, For Love of Lakes, Williams’ column, Lakeside Notes in Mary Jane Dillingham (Auburn) Nelson makes reference to Thoreau’s this issue of the Water Column. Sibyl French (Raymond) Paul Hunt (Portland) rudimentary understanding of lake Finally, I cannot stress enough the value Norton 'Buzz' Lamb (New Gloucester) ecology. He points out that Thoreau of, and appreciation for, the dedication Marsha Letourneau (Kennebunkport) observed, and could in great detail, and commitment of VLMP citizen Advisory Board describe the terrestrial environment lake scientists throughout Maine, who Aria Amirbahman Steve Norton of which he was a natural inhabitant, collect scientifically verifiable data that Dan Buckley Matt Scott but when it came to the lake or pond enables lake management decision Holly Ewing Peter Vaux (Chair) environment, Nelson wonders if makers, and all those who care about C . Barre Hellquist Ken Wagner Thoreau’s limnological shortcomings Maine’s bountiful water resources, to Martha Kirkpatrick Pixie Williams (if that’s what they indeed were) David Littell Karen Wilson have a better understanding of their may have been due to the fact that ecological health. Editorial Staff while Thoreau could see the forest, Scott Williams Jonnie Maloney, Layout with lakes, he simply could not “see’’ Many thanks to all of you! Roberta Hill Christine Guerette To Contact Us 24 Maple Hill Road VLMP Mission Statement Auburn, Maine 04210 The Mission of the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program is to help protect (207) 783-7733 vlmp@mainevlmp org. Maine lakes through widespread citizen participation in the gathering and www .MaineVolunteerLakeMonitors .org dissemination of credible scientific information pertaining to lake health. The VLMP trains, certifies and provides technical support to hundreds of volunteers Funding for this newsletter is made possible in part by grants from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Maine Department who monitor a wide range of indicators of water quality, assess watershed of Environmental Protection, through Section 319 of the Clean health and function, and screen lakes for invasive aquatic plants and animals. Water Act, and individual donations and business sponsorships. In addition to being the primary source of lake data in the State of Maine, VLMP This newsletter is printed on 50% post-consumer recycled paper; volunteers benefit their local lakes by playing key stewardship and leadership produced & mailed by Penmor Lithographers, Lewiston, Maine . roles in their communities. 2 Lakeside Notes Celebrating Maine VLMP Citizen Lake Scientists

nother lake monitoring season serve as a model for similar organizations Abegins to wind down, and throughout the country and Canada. thousands of field sheets from hundreds By Scott Williams of certified lake monitors across the state There are many advantages to the VLMP Executive Director of Maine are arriving. The mounting VLMP model—which protects documentation is impressive to be lakes through the widespread by Daniel Buckley at the University sure, but far more impressive is the engagement of citizen scientists. of Maine at Farmington, Gloeotrichia enormous body of work, dedication, (Please see article on page 10.) One density data for Holly Ewing’s research and commitment that these documents important advantage is that citizen- at Bates College, tracking lake ice-out represent. In this issue of the Water centered monitoring efforts have dates for several research initiatives, Column we celebrate Maine’s statewide a unique capacity to bring together and assisting the Maine DEP with team of citizen lake scientists, and otherwise isolated groups in a advanced forms of lake monitoring and the many ways in which they each common, community-building assessment. Maine’s clean, clear lakes, contribute to the gathering of credible effort. For example, this summer the and those whose lives are touched by scientific information on hundreds of VLMP partnered with the Webb Lake them, are the direct beneficiaries of Maine lakes. Association and Camp Kawanhee and these collaborations. other members of the local community The information gathered by VLMP As we reach the end of the 2013 to conduct two IPP training sessions. volunteers is critically important to our lake monitoring season, VLMP staff This training has helped to forge a new understanding of our lakes. Citizen lake are already busy at work with our alliance between the lake association scientists provide us with the basis for collaborative partners, Advisory Board and the summer camp that will carry evaluating declines and improvements members and lake monitors, to develop the monitoring effort forward for years in water quality, and the presence and formulate new lake monitoring to come. (Please see Pam Albertson’s or absence of aquatic invaders. They strategies for 2014. In light of all of this delightful article on page 17.) document the current state of healthy activity focused upon the future of lake native ecosystems as well as the loss monitoring, you might be thinking that Because the VLMP is an organization of critical habitat for fish and wildlife the best days of the Secchi disk—the that encourages and thrives on due to water quality changes or an tried and true tool of volunteer and infestation. The information collected collaboration and inclusiveness, professional lake monitors throughout by VLMP volunteers also provides a we are regularly engaged with the world—are drawing to an end. You means of better understanding the a diverse group of individuals would be mistaken! (Please check out effects of climate change on lakes. and organizations that are at the article on page 8.) the cutting edge of lake science Please join us in this celebration in and management—professionals, We hope that you will enjoy this special the pages that follow. You will see laypersons, and researchers who celebratory issue of the Water Column! why the Maine VLMP’s volunteer are asking new questions, using When you have finished reading it, citizen lake scientists are respected new technologies, and making we encourage you to pass your copy along to a friend, neighbor, or fellow throughout the country for their new discoveries. remarkable commitment to monitoring lake association member, so others will and protecting their lakes, and how come to know about the outstanding This nexus of activity puts our volunteers the information gathered by VLMP work, commitment, and stewardship of in touch with a nearly continuous stream lake monitors is used extensively by Maine’s citizen lake scientists, and the of innovative ideas and opportunities researchers, state and federal natural many ways in which they are working for monitoring, protecting, and learning resource protection agencies, educators, to protect the health of Maine lakes! about their own lakes. VLMP citizen planners, local and regional conservation scientists, for example, are now gathering organizations and individuals. You will temperature data for research being done also see why the VLMP continues to 3 Littorally Speaking Moosehead Lake Survey Complete: No Aquatic Invaders Found!

he first-ever, volunteer-powered A high percentage of the volunteers who aquatic plant survey of Maine’s largest participated in this project over its six year by Roberta Hill T ����VLMP I�n�v�asi���v�e� Sp��ecies��������� ���Pro�g��ram ��������Director lake, Moosehead, is complete! The entire timespan remained active throughout, which shoreline of the 74,000-acre-plus lake has helped to create a cohesive, highly-competent increments, taking six years to complete. been methodically screened for aquatic team. The logistics of surveying a lake the Actual time on the water however was invaders. We are very pleased to report that size of Moosehead are challenging to say the remarkably short: 23 days! no invasive species have been detected.� least—challenges range from where the team will make base camp, how • During this time the team carefully meals will be organized, to the screened the littoral zone of Moosehead more critical issues of access, Lake for all eleven invasive aquatic plants on-lake communication, and legally listed as imminent threats to Maine safety. Each challenge was lakes, as well as other potential aquatic deftly handled by the team, with invaders such as Chinese mystery snails and volunteer team members taking zebra mussels. No invasives were detected. on key roles in all phases of the Moosehead Lake now has a “clean bill of project: planning, facilitation, health” from which future monitoring technical support, training, efforts can proceed.1 outreach, survey activity, plant identification, ��������������reporting,���� and documentation, follow-up, etc.

In 2008, the Maine Volunteer Lake Can volunteers be effective and Monitoring Program launched an efficient monitors of Maine Lakes? ambitious program to help promote and Please consider the following project support citizen-based early detection efforts in areas of the state where such activities outcomes and decide for yourself. are currently lacking. The objectives of • The shoreline of Moosehead Lake, VLMP’s Invasive Plant Patrol Jump Start including the islands, measures 281 miles. are to: 1) organize a survey team (comprised If one takes into account deployment of primarily of seasoned volunteer Invasive boats over significant distances (often Plant Patrollers, supported by VLMP with larger motorized boats towing • During the course of the survey, the staff) to conduct a comprehensive invasive smaller paddle craft) and the methodical team also documented all the native plants aquatic plant screening survey and native travel back and forth along transects found growing in the lake. A whopping plant inventory on the target waterbody; that is required to survey fertile coves 110 plant species have been documented. and 2) to help “jump-start” a locally and extensive shallows, the actual scope Thirty plant specimens of note have been sustainable citizen-based monitoring of the survey was substantially greater. submitted to the Maine State herbarium. program in the region through outreach, The survey was done in short annual training, and more spontaneous forms of • Work on the second Jump-Start interaction between team members and goal— assisting with the development the host community. of a locally sustainable citizen-based monitoring program in the region—is The VLMP decided to pilot its new concept off to a promising start and continues to on one of the most highly-valued and more gather momentum. Through outreach vulnerable lakes in Maine: Moosehead. conducted by team members, the VLMP If such a project could succeed on this has formed a broad coalition of local grand scale, we surmised, it could succeed partners who will be meeting next spring anywhere in the state! onboard the Katahdin in Greenville to discuss next steps for the region. 4 ...continued on next page The Hunt for Aquatic Invaders, a video of thousands of dollars—�������������������������������������a cost prohibitive documentary featuring this Moosehead to most state agencies, municipalities Jump-Start project, and non-profit will have its regional Volunteer engagement not only lake conservation premiere at this enabled this project to happen, groups. ���������Volunteer event. (For more engagement not on The Hunt, see it showed that a high-quality only enabled this page 11, and please survey could be done, efficiently project to happen, stay tuned for more and effectively, by volunteers. it showed that a on the Katahdin high-quality survey Citizen Lake Monitoring Forum.) could be done, efficiently and effectively, A project of this scale, were it to have been by volunteers. done by professionals, would have been A number of studies conducted extremely costly, with a price tag in the tens throughout the country have consistently shown that information collected by trained citizen scientists is equivalent to, and indistinguishable from, that of professional scientists, at a fraction of the 1. The VLMP survey team did not monitor the lake cost. This groundbreaking project on for invasive fish. Two non-native fish species are Maine’s largest lake serves as a powerful known to be established in Moosehead Lake: small case in point! mouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), and white perch (Morone americana). Both were the result of illegal introductions.

Moosehead Lake Survey Project Contributors

Moosehead Lake Survey Team Members Moosehead Survey Supporters (2008 – 2013) Followed by number of years each member The Moosehead Lake Invasive Plant Patrol Jump-Start Project participated in the survey (no survey activity was conducted has been made possible through the generous support of: in 2010) . Beaver Cove Marina Volunteers The Betterment Fund Curtis Breen (1) Dennis Roberge (3) The Birches Resort Sally Breen (4) Matthew Vachon (2) Boater Participation in the Maine Lake and River Mary Jane Dillingham (1) Eduardo Van den berg (1) Protection Sticker Program Robert French (5) Bunny Wescott (5) Friends of Wilson Ponds Area Sibyl French (5) Ross Wescott (5) Maine Department of Environmental Protection Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Gabriel Gunning (1) Ellie White (4) Maine Water Company Elin Haugen (4) Willis White (4) Patagonia David Lamon (1) Mark Whiting (4) Plum Creek Foundation Marsha Letourneau (1) Keith Williams (4) Ram Island Conservation Fund of the Maine Randy Richardson (1) Community Foundation VLMP Interns Underwood Productions Libby Davis (1) Wilsons on Moosehead Lake Private donations from VLMP business sponsors, Jamey Epstein (2) lake and watershed associations, and individuals Ilse Pukinskis (1) Kelly Stewart (1) We also wish to thank many new friends and partners in the Moosehead region who have generously welcomed us to VLMP Staff their community and provided numerous in-kind goods and Jacolyn Bailey* (2) services, with special thanks to Liz Cannel (Katahdin Cruises), Christine Guerette* (5) Joe DeFelice, David Grant, Kay Johnson, Scott Snell (Wilsons Roberta Hill* (4) on Moosehead Lake), and John Willard (The Birches Resort) Jonnie Maloney (1) for their support of the project documentary: The Hunt for *Indicates staff participation in the survey at Aquatic Invaders, and to Kay and Ralph Johnson for their least one season as a volunteer . support, gracious hospitality, and enthusiasm .

5 QualityQuality Counts!Counts! Why Your Certification Assures the Credibility of Your Lake Data ne question often heard at re- quality of data collected from Maine’s Ocertification workshops is, “Why waters. EPA established the requirement do we need to be Certified and Re- that entities conducting water quality certified to collect lake data?” Many of monitoring data submit Quality Assurance by Linda Bacon our dedicated volunteers have been with Project/Program Plans, or QAPPs, which VLMP Quality Assurance Officer; Maine Department of Environmental the program for decades, and they know they approve. In fact, all data on which Protection, Aquatic Biologist the routine, so this is a totally legitimate environmental decisions are made must question to ask. be collected under an approved QAPP. analyze; they must also submit to routine Collecting water quality data can be fun The first Maine Lake Assessment QAPP audits and correct identified deficiencies. but it is a very serious mission. Many was approved nearly a decade ago and addresses the ‘who, what, when, where, Certifications are quite common water management decisions are made these days. Many vocations require based on the data we collect on our lakes. why and how’ of lake data collection. We are routinely audited to make sure we are professional licenses or certifications Some of these cost money – money that which need to be renewed at some ultimately comes out of the pockets of us complying with the elements documented in the QAPP. particular frequency. Equipment ranging taxpayers. Over the past few decades, the from medical devices to gasoline pumps legal question of data reliability has been Within the last 5 years, additional are certified to assure they are working raised in the courts. This has caused both steps have been taken to make sure properly. Would you eat at a restaurant EPA and DEP to comply with both federal that data analyzed in laboratories that has not passed a health inspection and state legislation aimed to control the (private, university and governmental) or employs workers that have not been are providing analyses and results that ‘ServeSafe’ certified in food handling? achieve quality standards through a lab In all cases, certification processes are certification process. To be certified, labs a means of making sure the ‘customer’ need to submit an extensive application is receiving the best treatment using which includes their standard operating the most accurate means. We want the procedures, data quality objectives, and same for Maine’s lakes. We want our other pertinent information, along with a volunteers to be the best at what they fee which is determined by the number do, use equipment that is functioning of analyses they offer. They must also properly and labs that are top notch! run blind test samples and produce We’ve always wanted the best for Maine results that prove method proficiency for lakes, and now both the Federal and State each parameter they want certification to governments do too!

The Volunteer Monitor's Perspective~ hen my husband and I were approached As a mater of fact, I so enjoyed the process that Wand asked to consider becoming the when the Kennebec County data entry person VLMP Kennebec Regional Coordinators, I had to resign due to health issues, I said: Hey… thought, “Gee…I really don’t know…what’s I’ll try that task too! It’s been a work in progress involved?” Well that was several years ago and but I’ve really enjoyed not only being involved in I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the the Water Quality monitoring part of VLMP and Kennebec County volunteers, working with the Invasive Plant Patrol Program, I also now have great people like Linda Bacon on planning a very clear understanding of the administrative and implementing the annual Secchi and responsibilities that these important volunteer dissolved oxygen re-certification workshops positions involve, too! and interacting with the terrific staff at the ~ Susan Therrien-Fenn VLMP office. 6 Aquatic Species Identification Cards

"What is this spiny little plant that is growing on the lake floor?” “Does curly-leaf pondweed ever produce floating leaves?” o you ever wish you had a Six additional cards are already being Dcompact, easy-to-use, plant ID planned for 2014! ‘cheat sheet’ with you when you were Flip up the cover card, and you will out on (or in) the water? A mini-field find photos and concise descriptions guide that covers native plants as well for the five invasive aquatic plant as the invaders? Look no further! species known to be in Maine, and The VLMP now has a nifty set of twenty-four of Maine’s more common sixteen 3.5” x 4.5” full-color, fully- native aquatic plants, color-coded (red waterproof plastic plant ID cards. for invasive; green for native) to help The cards are bound by a binder- you tell the good plants from the bad. ring and hung on a carabiner, which means you can hook them on to your The first printing of 500 sets sold belt-loop or swimsuit strap and go! It also means that the set out in pre-orders! The second printing is now available of cards may be easily expanded as new cards become available. at $12.00/set. Contact the VLMP to get your set today! (Dare we mention stocking stuffer potential?) Please note: This set only includes five of the eleven invasive plants on Maine's prohibited list; the remaining six will be added in 2014.

Have You Seen This Snail in Your Lake? hinese mystery snails, native to parts of Southeast Asia, The VLMP manages a statewide database on reported sightings of Cwere brought to this country as a food source for Asian C. chinensis malleatus. You can help us get a better handle on the markets. It is believed that imported snails were intentionally statewide distribution of this invasive organism by reporting any released in some areas to create a locally-harvestable supply. sightings to VLMP at 207-783-7733 or [email protected]. Since their introduction, Chinese mystery snails have spread to many parts of the United States, and can now be found in To see if Chinese a number of Maine lakes and ponds. mystery snails have been sighted on your Mature Chinese mystery snails are distinctively large—the size lake, please check of a walnut or golf ball. Though they spend a good portion of out the VLMP’s new their lives underwater, half-buried in the bottom sediments, interactive map on they may also be encountered with their trap doors sealed the Lakes of Maine up tight, floating along at the water’s surface. This time of website, and click on year Chinese mystery snails begin migrating to deeper waters the Chinese mystery where they will overwinter. snail sightings link in the 'Recent Library Once in a body of water, Additions' sidebar. the Chinese mystery snail www.lakesofmaine.org may be transported, as adults or tiny juveniles, References: via bait buckets and water 1. Martin, Scott M. 1999. Freshwater snails (Mollusca: holding areas on boats. Gastropoda) of Maine. Like other snail species, Northeastern Naturalist. this species may serve as a 2. Cipangopaludina chinensis Chinese mystery snail vector for various parasites malleatus (Reeve, 1863). (Cipangopaludina chinensis malleatus) Fact sheet by Gulf States and diseases. Marine Fisheries. 7 IS TECHNOLOGY RENDERING THE

By Scott Williams SECCHI DISK OBSOLETE? VLMP Executive Director The humble Seccchi disk continues to be an invaluable tool for measuring lake health by volunteer lake monitors, NOT BY A LONGSHOT! as well as professional lake scientists. In fact, today the information yielded from Secchi disk (SD) readings is even Are Secchi data alone sufficient for analyzing lake water quality? more useful than it was some 150 years ago, when Father Not necessarily. Does current research suggest that we may be Pietro Angelo Secchi (scientific advisor to the Pope, and monitoring lakes using new methods and technology in the astrophysicist) first used the disk to measure the transparency future? No doubt there will be changes. But is the Secchi disk, (clarity) of the Mediterranean Sea. We now know that many and the value of the information that it provides becoming other indicators of lake water quality generally correlate obsolete, or less valuable? Absolutely not! In fact, a number But the SD has some well with lake transparency readings. of recent experiences have reinforced the value of Secchi data real advantages over the processes to Maine’s lakes: involved in gathering many of these more advanced indicators. They • In 2012, Lake Auburn experienced a severe algal include the following: bloom that resulted in the depletion of dissolved oxygen throughout much of the lake in the late summer, resulting 1. Simplicity: The procedure for in a substantial die-off of the lakes’ sensitive lake trout taking a reading is very easy, and population. The precipitous decline in Lake Auburn’s water can be learned by anyone in a short quality that occurred last year is being investigated by a period of time. group of highly qualified lake scientists who are working 2. Quick results: The results are with Auburn Water District staff to better understand the nearly instantaneous – no need to complex interconnected events that contributed to the wait for a lab report! decline. Water District staff have increased the frequency 3. Inexpensive: Secchi disks and viewing scopes are downright With the problems we've recently cheap, compared to most other instruments and devices used experienced on Lake Auburn, and all of to gather lake data, and compared to the cost associated with the intensive monitoring we have been laboratory analysis of samples. doing, the Secchi disk, by far, provides the most useful and important glimpse 4. Consistency: When VLMP and DEP staff train a group into what is going on . of lake monitors to take Secchi disk readings, variation from one individual to the next is generally minimal – usually only Mary Jane Dillingham one or two tenths of a meter, which in a lake with average Water Quality Manager readings in the 6 meter range is only about 3%. Readings can Auburn Water District be reliably compared from one individual to another. Lewiston Water Division 5. Abundant historical data for comparison: More Secchi disk and intensity of monitoring the lake, studying a wide range readings exist for lakes throughout the world than any other of indicators of lake health. Interpreting the data from this form of lake data. In 2013, Maine VLMP lake monitors alone effort requires an in-depth understanding of lake system took more than 3,700 Secchi readings! Often, when looking dynamics. The group communicates routinely by email, for historical information on a lake to determine whether or in addition to a number of in-person meetings that have not water quality changes have taken place, Secchi data is the taken place at the lake during the past several months. best, and only information available. Almost invariably, the first question asked during these meetings is: “What was the most recent Secchi reading Secchi disk measurements are used to indirectly measure lake for the lake?” biological productivity by estimating the concentration of algae in the water. Increasing algal density causes lake water to become • Satellite imagery is being used increasingly to estimate less clear, resulting in shallower Secchi readings. Other factors can lake water quality. The primary use for this information influence water clarity as well, including the concentration is to estimate the concentration of algae growth of natural humic acids that leach from wetland plants, in lakes that are not being monitored because causing lake water to have a root beer-like color, and of inaccessibility. The sophisticated (and suspended sediment from wind and wave turbulence. very costly) technology used in this process Nonetheless, Secchi readings are a reliable method of is dependent on the availability of “ground- assessing lake water quality in most lakes. truthed” data gathered by volunteer lake 8 ...continued at bottom of next page 2013 Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP) Workshop Season

ith thanks to our Fo u r - h u n d re d - n i n e Woutstanding IPP individuals attended hosts (listed below) one of more training and other supporting events during the 2013 partners from across season. Nearly 3500 the state, we are pleased individuals have now to report yet another been trained through enormously successful VLMP’s IPP program. training season. Seventy-four trainees Preparing for the day ahead, a group of Invasive Plant Patrollers enjoy a beautiful summer opted for certification Eighteen workshops morning on Bickford Pond . this summer, bringing The Introductory workshop provides plenty were conducted across the number of certified of opportunity for hands-on learning with live native and invasive plants. the state. The 2013 training schedule included: 8 Introductory plant patrollers in Maine Workshops; 4 Survey Field Methods Workshops; 1 Advanced to 559. The emphasis on training and supporting the IPP teams Plant ID workshop; 3 IPP Leadership Trainings; 2 Manual Control continues, and the number of active teams in the state is fast Workshops; and 1 special training session for high-school students. approaching 100. 2013 Invasive Plant Patrol Hosts 30-Mile River Watershed Association Island Falls Lakes Association Allagash Wilderness Waterways Jaybird Pond Androscoggin Lake Improvement Corporation Kennebago Lake Association Auburn Land Lab Lake Anasagunticook Association Belgrade Region Conservation Alliance Lake Webb Association, Inc. Bickford Pond Association Panther Pond Association Camp Kawanhee Pickerel Pond Association Clemons Pond Association Piscataquis County SWCD Crawford Lake Association Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust Crescent Lake Association Raymond Pond Association Damariscotta Lake Watershed Assoc. Raymond Waterways Protective Assoc. Dexter Lakes Association Sebasticook Lake Association Echo Lake Association Sebec Lake Association Edward Little High School Sokokis Lake Association Friends of Cobbossee Watershed We enjoyed our trip to the Allagash where we provided IPP training Thomas Pond Association Friends of Wilson Ponds Assoc . to the Maine Department of Conservation’s Allagash Rangers. Washington Lakes Association Green Lake Association York County Invasive Aquatic Species Project Hancock County Lakes Alliance York County Soil & Water Conservation District Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District

Secchi disk article, continued from previous page

monitors and their trusty Secchi disks, because the tool could be especially valuable to researchers sorting Secchi data are used to calibrate the models used by the through the complexities of lake ecosystem dynamics. I was satellite imagery equipment. pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in the demonstration. Just before we left the monitoring station, • Two years ago, I spent a morning working with a lake the project manager asked me if I would take a Secchi disk research scientist who had developed an integrated reading as a reality check! system of probes, pumps, optical sensors, and electronic communications modules - all of which were housed in a 5 The next time that you take a Secchi reading on your lake, foot high metal cage that required two people to slowly lower remember that while this device may be simple, and even primitive, the device down into the water column. The remarkable compared to the latest and greatest technological innovations apparatus had the capability of providing immediate and gadgets that are available to monitor lakes, it is still a highly information on a wide range of lake water quality indicators, accurate, precise, and elegant way to learn a great deal about the all of which appeared on an interconnected laptop computer health of our lakes. in the boat in graphic format. This powerful, innovative 9 The VLMP Advantage: Effective and Efficient! or more than four decades, trained volunteer lake scientists • VLMP lake monitors are provided with many options Fhave gathered a wide range of information about thousands for expanding the scope of their monitoring, and as they of Maine lakes. That information (data) is the foundation of increase their knowledge and capacity for doing so, through knowledge, understanding, and ultimately, their protection. The comprehensive training and technical support from the VLMP “model” approach to lake monitoring –engaging citizen VLMP, our citizen lake scientists become more effective as lake scientists in the gathering of lake data– is not only an effective stewards. In recent years, many lake monitors have received way to gather vital information on lake health, but also engenders training to provide them with tools needed to expand their stewardship through the long-term commitment that so many monitoring into their volunteers make to monitoring and protecting their lakes. lake watersheds. In addition to being a very effective way to gather information • Lakes with VLMP that is used to protect lakes, the VLMP model is also extremely lake monitors routinely efficient! Imagine the cost of paying more than 1,000 trained lake undergo comprehensive scientists (or other paid staff) to travel to several hundred lakes baseline water quality throughout Maine, multiple times during the course of the year, monitoring by Maine to collect various types of water quality data, or to conduct an DEP and VLMP invasive aquatic species survey. Such an undertaking would require lake scientists, and an enormous budget. But VLMP lake monitors do all of this on increasingly, volunteer their own time. Because volunteer monitors receive high-quality lake monitors who are training and on-going technical support, their data are virtually willing to assist are indistinguishable from data collected by professionals! engaged in this process. There are many advantages to engaging volunteers in the Lakes that are monitored by VLMP volunteers are checked, gathering of information on lake health. They include: tested and evaluated during the late summer every few years for a wide range of indicators of lake • Volunteer monitors are deeply connected There are many advantages health, including Secchi transparency, to their lakes, and that connection is the basis temperature and dissolved oxygen, for the commitment that they are willing to to engaging volunteers in the phosphorus and chlorophyll levels, make to gather information multiple times gathering of information on pH, color, total alkalinity, anion during the monitoring season, over a period lake health. and cation levels, zooplankton and of many years. algae community composition, lake • Local lake monitors have a strong sense of what is “normal” sediment analysis for phosphorus and aluminum, and more! for their lakes, and what is not. When a change occurs in This comprehensive process complements, but certainly doesn’t their lake, it is much more likely to be recognized, assessed replace the great work of volunteer monitors. and reported than might otherwise be the case. Many of • And last – but certainly not least – is the invaluable benefit the water quality problems and invasive plant infestations that of having trained, knowledgeable individuals living in lake have been documented in Maine lakes during the past four communities throughout Maine. It is well established that decades have first been reported by local volunteers who have hundreds of VLMP lake monitors throughout Maine provide very effectively (and efficiently) acted as “first responders” for a great deal of information and guidance to their lake and their lakes. watershed associations, local conservation commissions, schools, • By virtue of living near, or businesses and others, to help the community better understand on the lakes that they monitor, –and protect– the lake(s) that they monitor. These individuals the process of volunteer often take on positions of leadership, helping to ensure the monitoring is inherently sustainability of lake monitoring and stewardship in their lake cost-effective! Maine is a communities. The value of their work, over time, to Maine’s big state, with thousands of “lakes program” cannot be over-estimated! lakes. The cost of having paid Trained volunteer citizen lake scientists who are invested in the professionals drive hundreds protection of their lakes are Maine’s most efficient and effective of miles to take Secchi strategy for gathering information on our thousands of clear, clean readings, gather various lakes. The VLMP model is considered The Gold Standard across types of water (or sediment) the U.S. and among our neighbors to our north, many of whom samples, and/or conduct plant have applied this model to the protection of their own lakes. Is screening surveys would be prohibitive in most cases. And the four decades of volunteer lake monitoring coincidental with the work would not likely be done, because funding doesn’t exist fact that Maine’s lakes continue to be among the healthiest in the to support such a vast endeavor in Maine (not to mention the nation? We don’t think so! impact to the environment from all that driving around!). 10 ~ Contributed by VLMP Staff and Volunteer Lake Monitors Water Quality Mentor Program Seeking New Participants! Contributed by Linda Bacon & Scott Williams

he diversity among our volunteer citizen lake scientists area motivated them to take their training and experience to the next Tis incredible! Many devoted water quality monitors have level - and pass it on to others. With the growing number of relatively dependably gathered Secchi disk transparency readings for decades. new water quality monitors in the program, VLMP Mentors will play A growing number of monitors have been trained to collect an increasingly important role in providing training and support to our temperature and dissolved oxygen data. Some are also taking citizen lake scientists. water samples for phosphorus and In the winter and spring of 2014, we will other chemical indicators. And VLMP be offering a series of Mentor training volunteer Regional Coordinators and workshops that will likely consist of Data Managers provide invaluable three 6-hour training and discussion administrative assistance to the program. sessions spread out over a 4-6 week Assisting with all of this, and more, are period. The first two sessions will be VLMP Mentors…volunteers that not held indoors, and the final session will only collect advanced water quality be spent on the VLMP training boat data, but who also train other volunteer on Lake Auburn. Becoming a VLMP monitors to gather a wide range of Mentor is indeed a time commitment, information about their lakes. but it also provides a super opportunity The Mentor program was initiated in the mid-1990s around the time to learn much more about lake ecosystems, while providing the VLMP became a stand-alone non-profit organization. It attracted assistance to VLMP Citizen Lake Scientists, and playing a key a handful of dedicated individuals, some of whom had technical administrative role within the organization. If you are interested backgrounds, and others whose passion for protecting lakes in their in this opportunity, please contact the VLMP office.

Video Documentary: The Hunt For Aquatic Invaders

rough cut of the VLMP documentary The Hunt for Aquatic Invaders Amade its debut to the packed house attending this year’s Annual Lake Monitoring Conference. The final cut will be completed soon, and the film is already slated to be shown at a number of events, conferences, and festivals in the coming months. Later in 2014, a link to The Hunt will be posted to the VLMP website, and copies will be available on CD for volunteers, lake associations, and others who are interested in helping us share this uniquely- Maine story with audiences across the state and beyond.

Set upon the backdrop of one of Maine’s most extraordinary lakes, Moosehead, The Hunt for Aquatic Invaders takes the viewer on a very different kind of outdoor adventure, one that not only speaks to the urgency of the task at hand—preventing the spread of aquatic invaders in Maine—but also provides guidance and inspiration as it explores the vital role that volunteers can play in local and statewide early detection efforts.

Lake Monitors Needed: These high-priority lakes need volunteer water quality monitors. Can you help? Granny Kent Pond in Shapleigh; MIDAS # 3908 Moosehead Lake in Greenville, MIDAS # 0390 Sawyer Pond in Greenville; MIDAS # 0386 11 Thank You! To Our Recent Generous Donors Individuals ~ Anonymous Donors Jean Demetracopoulos Dennis Jepson Deborah & Michael Parkin Sharon Abair & Dewey Meteer Georgann & Alan Dickey Al Johnson Kathy Parlee Jeanne Achille Mary Jane Dillingham Richard A. Johnson Pamela Parvin Pamela Albertsen Thomas A. Dionis Lawrence Jones Barry A. Patrie Diane Anderson Deidre & Michael Donovan Denise Joy & Fred Flammia Elizabeth Payne Martin & Fiora Arnold Patti-Ann Douglas Donald Kale Barbara & Wally Penrod Laura & Ed Atlee Raymond & Josephine Duda Robert & Patricia Keeler Dennis & Sandy Phillips William Atwater Thomas Dudac Brigitte & Harold Kingsbury Mark Pokras Leonard Bachman Norman A. Dudziak, Jr. Tim Kinney Buddy Potts Susan Bailey Joel & Rosemarie Dulberg Warren & Barbara Kinsman Joseph J. & Kathleen A. Potts Pat Baldwin Sandra & Donald Dumont Eileen Kirby Waldo & Carolyn Preble John Banton Cynthia & Bob Dunlap Ed & Carol Knapp Jean Proach & Lloyd Mason Marygrace & Peter Barber Pat Durkin Mike Krysko Jim & Joan Proctor Barbara R. Barnes Ann M. Dyer Bill & Lucy LaCasse Lea & José Ramirez Howard & Sally Barter Bruce & Sharon Eastman Chuck & Christine Lamb David A. Raye Skip & Claudette Bartosch Walter “Chip” & Cheryl Edgecomb, Jr. Norton Lamb Frank Read Mary & Bill Bausch R. Dennis Ellis David Landry Dan & Martha Reeve Caroline Beard & Peter Duffey Jim & Aubrie Entwood Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Landry William Reid Mike Becker Ron & Eileen Epstein Ron Langworthy Ginny Remeika & Jim Burke Ewald & Susan Bender Laurence & Bonnie Faiman Mary Lawrence Linda Rice J. Scott Bernardy, DDS Eileen Fair Victor & Joanna Lerish Donald Richardson Michael & Joanne Bernstein Bruce Fenn & Peter & Kathleen Leslie Randy Richardson James Bisesti Susan Therrien-Fenn Marsha & Lee Letourneau Louise & Peter Riley Bill Blaine Jean S. Ferrari George & Charlotte Lewis David & Pamela Robbins John & Mary Bogar Thomas & Gail Finlay Stephen Lewis Dennis Roberge Mr. George Bouchard Katherine & Charles Flood Lynn Roberge-Ligay Craig & Julie Rule Kathleen & James Boutselis Robert & Sibyl French Robert & Gloria Limoges Rich & Lonny Schneider Carmel Bowers Kevin & Susan Frewert David Lind John & Claudia Scholz Jim & Sue Bowersett Brian Friedmann Heidi Lukas Matt Scott Dorothy A. Bowyer Mark Fuller Abigail Lumsden Ralph & Ellen Shapiro Anne & Rich Bray John & Carol Gabranski Joanne A. Luppi Keith & Ellen Shaughnessy Robert Breen Jean W.Gardner Mary Griffith Lynch Edward & Priscilla Simmons Leon Bresloff & Mary Bayer Yolande Gay Jonnie Maloney Carolyn & Warner Slack Betsy Brisk William Gies, II Robert & Edith Manns Alison Smith Warren & Bethany Bryant George Gilbert Pam & Don Mantovani Jeanne & Mike Smith Daniel E. & Mary L. Buckley Michelle Glen Amy March Wayne P. & Priscilla M. Smith Joe Bukata Jim & Diane Gloriant Norman & Barbara Marcotte Christie & Phil Souza Malcolm Burson & John A. & Janene Gorham Betty Mason Lea & Ken Stabinski Eleanor Goldberg Marion & Chris Gray Mary M. McBrady Ella L. Stevens Amy Campbell Christine Guerette & Matt Vachon Dale & Bruce McCubrey Ed & Bobbie Stevenson Michael R. Cannon Dan & Lori Guerette James & Jean McIntyre Norman & Deborah Stiles Rob & Kim Caron Bart Hague Robert S. McLean Carl & Sarah Stillwell Liz Carter Diane & John F. Hale, Jr. Jeff McNelly Nancy L. Stine Katie Carville Bob & Janet Hall Ron & Noël McPherson William & Sara Stockwell Deborah Cayer Charlotte & Paul Hallett Christine Merchant &Wayne Davis Bob & Peggy Susbury Katharine Giovanella Chaiklin Thomas R. & Judy A. Hamilton Richard S. Meyer Kathi Sutton Charles Chapman Barbara Hamor Bruce J. & Virginia A. Micucci Ozzie & Donna Swett Donna Childs Ian R. Hardesty Paul Mitnik Larry Szendrei David & Sharon Clement Phoebe Hardesty Bill Monagle Michael & Donna Taflas Patricia Clifford Cynthia & Michael Hart Audrey R. & Roger Moody Barbara & Pat Tedesco Louis & Dorli Cloutier Jim & Martha Hart Harry & Ellen Moore Marcie Teele Denis M. Coffey Diane Harting Earl & Joanne Morse Hall Thompson Jennifer & Jerrold Cohen Tacy Hartley Susan Motley Jim & Janet Timmins Maurice R. Collin Sue & Clayton Harvey Thomas & Brenda Mower Robert & June Tracy Gerald & Susanne Colson Richard Haslip & Wynn & Sandra Muller Mr. & Mrs. George Tranchemontagne Marie Connolly Patricia McGillivary Janet & Paul Murphy Woody & Susan Trask Kathleen & William Cotter Elin Haugen Richard Neal Mark & Kathy Tripp Katie & Richard Cranston Charlotte P. Henderson Gerry & Meg Nelson Peter & Elizabeth Trouant Jane Crosen Washburn Thomas D. Herman Steve & Melanie Ness Kenneth D. Truscott, Jr. George A. Cross, Jr. Roberta Hill Steve & Karen O’Bryan Alexander Turbyne, III John Crouch & David & Janette Hodsdon Daniel Orino Thomas & Jeanne Tuttle Poppy Connor-Crouch Roberta Hodson James J. & Wanda Orino Stephen Underwood Tizz E. H. Crowley Heidi Howden Mr. & Mrs. Thomas B. O’Rourke Clyde D. Walton Joan & Charles Dattelbaum Paula & Tom Hughes Jim & Lucia Owen Bob & Jackie Warren Ronald Davis Linda Ilse Karen & David Packhem Virginia Warren Mal & Ellen Dawson Neil & Peggy Jensen Donald & Barbara Paiton John Wasileski 12 Continued on next page~ Thank You! To Our Recent Generous Donors Individuals Business & Major Funding Continued from Page 12 Community Supporters Major funding for the VLMP is Dana & Barbara Waugh Auburn Water District made possible by grants from the US Environmental Protection Agency John & Cheryl Welch Town of Casco, Maine and the Maine Department of Ross & Bunny Wescott Comprehensive Environmental, Inc. Environmental Protection, through F. W. Weston, Jr. Cumberland County SWCD Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. Lew & Miriam Wetzel Freedom Park Associates Roberta & Carl Weymouth Town of Garland, Maine Willis & Eleanor White Hammond Lumber Company Mr. & Mrs. Paul Wight Hannaford Supermarkets Charitable Dick & Barb Wigton Highland Green G.E. Mary Williams The Highlands Foundations Robert & Ann Williams IBM Corporation Roy A. Hunt Foundation Scott Williams KM Robbins Construction Plum Creek Foundation Bill Williamson Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission Ram Island Conservation Fund of Pat & Tom Willis OceanView at Falmouth the Maine Community Foundation Richard & Patricia Windecker Old Town Canoe Company Saint Joseph’s College of Maine Whitney Wing Oppersdorff Poland Spring Inc. Len & Mary Winsky Port Harbor Marine at Jordan Bay Bob & Ursula Withrow Portland Water District In Memory Of Stan Wood Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc. Gordon B. Wright Water Monitoring Equipment & Supply In Memory of George Cross~ Callie Wronker YSI Incorporated Raymond & Josephine Duda Dot Young Cynthia & Michael Hart Andrew Zuorski & Linda Hamilton David & Pamela Robbins In Kind In Memory of Norman Harte~ And for those of you who have donated your Charlotte & Paul Hallett time, expertise, and dedication to the work of In Memory of Howard D. Whiting~ the VLMP in the past year – many thanks! Little Wilson Pond Improvement Assoc.

Lake & Regional Watershed Associations

30-Mile River Watershed Association Little Ossipee Lake Association Androscoggin Lake Improvement Corp. Little Wilson Pond Improvement Association Bauneg Beg Lake Association, Inc. Long Pond Association Bear Pond Improvement Association Loon Lake Association Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance Lovejoy Pond Improvement Association Berry Dexter Wilson Ponds Watershed Assoc. Meddybemps Lake Association Bickford Pond Association Mousam Lake Region Association Brettuns Pond Association Nickerson Lake Wilderness Preservation, Inc. Cathance Lake Association Parker Pond Association, Inc. Center Pond Improvement Association Pemaquid Watershed Association Clary Lake Association Pickerel Pond Association Clearwater Lake Improvement Assoc. Piper Pond Association Clemons Pond Association Pleasant Lake & Parker Pond Association Craig Pond Association Pleasant Pond Protective Association Crawford Lake Association Pleasant River Lake Association Dexter Lakes Association Portage Lake Association Echo Lake Association Rattlesnake Association of Brownfield Embden Pond Association Raymond Waterways Protective Assoc. Five Kezars Watershed Association Sabbathday Lake Association Friends of Quimby Pond Sand-Locke Pond Association Friends of Wilson Pond Area Saturday Pond Watershed Association Georges Pond Property Owners Assoc. Sebasticook Lake Association Great East Lake Improvement Association Sebec Lake Association Green & Mirror Ponds Association Square Pond Improvement Association Green Lake Association Summer Haven Lakes Association Hobbs & Fish Ponds Association Swan Lake Association Howard Pond Preservation Association Taylor Pond Association Keoka Lake Association Toddy Pond Association Lake Anasagunticook Association Washington Lakes Watershed Association Lake Webb Association West Harbor Pond Watershed Association Lake Wesserunsett Association Whitmore Landing Lake Association Lakeville Camp Owners Association Wilson Lake Association 13 2013 Lake Monitoring Conference

Sue Therrien-Fenn and Bruce Invasive Plant Patroller of Fenn receive accolades for being the Year, Pixie Williams . Outstanding Volunteer Regional and Data Coordinators .

Dennis Roberge

Congratulations to lake monitor Katie Carville on Wendy Dennis is recognized for winning the kayak prize! 35 years of lake monitoring .

A crayfish on display in the interactive exhibit area, trying to steal the show!

Allen Chamberlain is honored for 20 years of lake monitoring .

Volunteer lake monitors take the Plant Identification challenge.

Many thanks to Phoebe Hardesty (L), Sibyl VLMP staff and interns pose for a photo. French (C) and Beverly Libby (R) for their hard work keeping everyone well fed! Save the Date! 2014 VLMP Annual Conference is Scheduled for Another delicious lunch for all! SATURDAY, JULY 19

14 ...continued on next page ...continued from previous page VLMP 2013 Annual Conference

Invasive Plant Patrol Regional Leaders of the Year award goes to York County SWCD & York County Invasive Aquatic Species Project. Conference Presenter Holly Ewing (L) discusses monitoring Gloeotrichia echinulata.

Conference Presenter Karen Wilson displays crayfish to volunteers.

Mike Whitmore (L) of Embden Pond Association and Volunteer lake monitors Ozzie Swett Doug Sears (R) of Carrabec High School receive the (L) and Bruce Fenn (R) are honored Many thanks to our generous award for Invasive Plant Patrol Team of the Year . for 10 years of lake monitoring . sponsors for providing these wonderful prizes! Videographer Steve Underwood is hard at work documenting the annual conference .

Volunteer lake monitors discuss the importance of VLMP intern Libby Davis (L), DEP intern Mark Dennis (C), Lake monitor Keith Williams demonstrates the having an Invasive Plant Patrol team . and VLMP intern Jamey Epstein (R) . process of making an herbarium sheet .

The VLMP Celebrates Citizen Lake Science! 15 Welcome New Lake Monitors! New Volunteer Lake Monitors Certified in 2013 Erik Ahlquist; Chamberlain Lake Normand LeBlanc; Mooselookmeguntic Lake Pamela Albertson, Webb Lake Gary Lee; Bickford Pond Diane Anderson; Panther Pond Marsha Letourneau; Square Pond Sylvia Bailey; Concord Pond (Big) Tony Lombardi; Bauneg Beg Lake Whitney Baker; Great East Lake Myron Long; Schoodic Lake George Bardaglio; Androscoggin Lake Jeff Lovejoy; Wassookeag Lake Elwood Beach; Raymond Pond Clifford Manchester; Abrams Pond Joy Beekman; Echo Lake (Crotched Pond) Jay McConville; Gull Pond Linda Belisle; Schoodic Lake James McDevitt; Saint George Lake Steve Biggers; Abrams Pond Mary Ann McGarry; Hopkins Pond Alex Blackwell; Alford Lake Bret Meck; Collins Pond Beth Bond; Sheepscot Pond Sandra Meck; Collins Pond David Bradley; North & Little Ponds Debra Morse; Sebec Lake Judy Bradley; Clemons Pond (Big) Jodie Mosher-Towle; North & Little Ponds Mona Brewer; Kennebago Lake (Big) Matthew Needham; Little Ossipee Flowage (Lake Arrowhead) Cindy Lou Brock; Sebec Lake Dineen O’Rourke; Sheepscot Pond Dan Buckley; Ballard Pond Ed Palys; Churchill Lake Ellen Busching-Randolph; Toddy Pond Patrick Parent; Long Lake Murray Campbell; Parker Pond Cynthia Peedin; Bauneg Beg Lake Tom Chace; Damariscotta Lake Dana Peterson; Bauneg Beg Lake Don Champion; Bickford Pond Rob Pfeiffer; Alford Lake Cherrie Cianchette; Long Pond Julianna Pfeiffer; Alford Lake Rocky Cianchette; Long Pond Michael Phinney; Green Lake Anthony Colello; Rangeley Area Lakes Toni Pied; Belgrade Area Lakes Katie Cranston; Kennebago Lake (Big), Kennebago River Matthew Pines; Trafton Pond Piper Cronin; Bauneg Beg Lake Lynda Pound; Sheepscot Pond Chris Dadian; Toddy Pond Steffanie Pyle; Little Pond Ronald Davis; Webb (Weld) Lake Doug Randolph; Toddy Pond Libby Davis; Back (5 Kezars) Pond Christy Richardson; Wassookeag Lake Dave DeLuca; Thomas Pond Patricia Ridlon; Bickford Pond Beth DeTine; Great Pond Kathy Riordan; Alamoosook Lake Peter Devine; Garland Pond Gwynn Rustad; Kennebago Lake (Big) Dave Dyer; Thomas Pond Lindsey Rustad; Kennebago Lake (Big) David Edsall; Branch Lake Linda Sallie; Abrams Pond Patrick Emery; Eagle Lake (Big), Churchill Lake Dianne Sample; Thomas Pond Denise Farley; Collins Pond Constance Sasser; Pleasant Lake Larry Farley; Collins Pond Brian Scholten; Ballard Pond, Clearwater Pond Darlene Fontaine; Flying Pond Nicholas Scripps; Alamoosook Lake Susan Gammon; Burgess Pond Pat Severance; Raymond Pond Christine Gestay; Gull Pond George Sheats; Taylor Pond Paul Gillis; Sabbathday Lake Sally Smith; Green Lake Diantha Grant; Sabbathday Lake Sarah Smith; Kezar Lake Don Grant; Sabbathday Lake Todd Smith; Kezar Lake Carolyn Gray; Anasagunticook Lake Teresa Snow; Halfmoon Pond Whitney Gullison; Great East Lake Judith Soule; Rangeley Lake Paul Hallett; Mattawamkeag Lake, Pleasant Lake William Soule; Rangeley Lake Sue Hellewell Embden Pond Cyndy Stancioff; Sand Pond Albert Holzwarth; Green Lake Paul Stancioff; Sand Pond Sally Hussey; Bauneg Beg Lake Richard Tenney; Toddy Pond Arthur Jacobson; Keoka Lake Robert Van Riper; Varnum Pond Calece Johnson; Holland (Sokosis) Pond David Vaughn; Prong Pond Kay Johnson; Wilson Pond (Upper) Sidney Wade; Loon Lake Ralph Johnson; Wilson Pond (Upper) Deborah ‘Rae’ Watzka; Halfmoon Pond Jody Jones; Damariscotta Lake Ed Weimont; Echo Lake (Crotched Pond) Sydney Kahl; Hopkins Pond Robert Weimont; Parker Pond Peter Kallin; Long Pond Karen White; Wassookeag Lake Lynne King; Echo Lake (Crotched Pond) Norman E . White, Jr .; Wassookeag Lake Leslie Kmiec; Bickford Pond Anne Whitten; Bauneg Beg Lake Susan LaFleur; Saturday Pond Shannon Wiggin; Acadia National Park Lakes Mike Lara; Anasagunticook Lake Sam Wilson; Wilson Lake John Laslie; Alamoosook Lake Lynn Wish; Gull Pond Don Lathrop; Threemile Pond Daniel Yaeger; Alamoosook Lake Nick Leadley; Saddleback Lake Mark Zacharias; Pickerel Pond Leon Leary; Ballard Pond 16 Contributed by Pam Albertsen, Certified Invasive Plant Patroller, Webb Lake Association.

hat would eleven Kawanhee counselors Wand campers, ten Webb Lake Association members and four VLMP staffers be doing out on the lake in 30-knot winds on a Tuesday morning in late July? We wondered that ourselves as the winds picked up and buffeted our tiny crafts around.

But we had already been rained out once, and this was the rain date: this would be our last chance to conduct an IPP Field Workshop on Webb Lake this year. So we all gathered in the breezy, early Webb Lake Association Members learning alongside their young Camp Kawanhee counterparts; morning sunshine at Camp Kawanhee, filled with part of a new collaboration that has significantly strengthened the Webb Lake IPP effortand expanded the scope of their annual surveys . excitement and some apprehension about the health of our lake. The group was divided into three teams and our we were given immediately allowed us to peer into calm waters. morning was structured. As we talked and organized ourselves The plants, roots, tiny animals and fish were easily seen. The on land, the lake was whipped up by the winds and the white lake weeds became significant to us. The boys were excited caps threatened to and eager to learn the make any peering many names of our into the water, native plants. They no matter what marveled at the tiny equipment we star-like pipeworts, the had, difficult. glistening gel on the underside of the water After a struggle shield leaves (part of against the wind this plant’s natural and waves to Once we tucked into Sunday Beach Cove, the defenses against tiny reach our first survey conditions improved greatly and the real herbivores), and the exploration began . gathering point, delicate lilac flowers of we were able to the water lobelia. The slip into the protected cove of Sunday Beach to practice our discovery of the colonial survey skills. The Plexiglas bottomed tubes, trunks and cases bryazoan astounded us Bryozoans, also known as moss animals, are all, and we took turns primitive invertebrates that form gelatinous gingerly touching its globs, often attached to submersed surfaces solid gelatinous form. such as logs, mooring lines or dock posts . Filter feeders, bryozoans sieve food particles out of the water using a retractable crown of The morning ended tentacles lined with hair-like cilia . with no one capsizing, new knowledge and experience gained, and a very nice lunch at the camp. It was a morning of wonder, useful exercises, and an excellent precursor to the IPP survey that would soon follow.

Webb Lake Association Members and Camp Kawanhee Staff are now working together to protect Webb Lake from the threat of aquatic invaders. 17 VLMP Advisory Board welcomes new members Steve Norton retired from the University of Maine in 2008, he VLMP is pleased to welcome several new highly respected having taught there and conducted and well-known lake scientists to our Advisory Board. The research for 40 years . Currently, he T is Professor Emeritus in the School Advisory Board (AB) was formed to provide input and guidance of Earth and Climate Sciences . to the Board of Directors, staff and volunteer lake monitors on Early in his career, he spent about a wide range of technical, organizational and developmental 10 years with the U . S . Geological matters. This distinguished group consists of individuals with Survey and the Maine Geological Survey, unraveling the history of unique expertise that is relevant to the operation and development crustal rocks in western New England and Maine . About 1970, of the program. We look forward to working with our expanded he switched his focus to the environmental aquatic chemistry of AB as volunteer lake monitoring in Maine continues to evolve. watersheds, groundwater and surface water, and paleolimnology . His research now is concerned with the chemical interaction among water, soil, bedrock, and humans . His “work” has taken Aria Amirbahman has been a professor him to many places including close to the North and South poles, of environmental engineering in the Europe (with two years in Norway), and to our neighbors – Canada Department of Civil and Environmental and Mexico. He emerged from teaching retirement in 2012 to Engineering at the University of Maine teach his graduate course in geochemistry . Currently, his research since 1997 . He is a graduate of the deals with the biogeochemistry of mercury and phosphorus, and University of California at Irvine . His the interaction of aluminum and rare earth elements (REEs) in areas of research interest are aquatic watersheds and lakes . chemistry and contaminant transport in lakes, wetlands, groundwater systems and coastal sediments . In Matt Scott is an Aquatic Biologist and particular, he has studied speciation a Certified Fisheries Scientist by the and transport of phosphorus and metals (such as mercury, iron, American Fisheries Society. He is retired aluminum and manganese), and their interactions with mineral after 38 years of service in Maine State surfaces and natural organic matter in natural and engineered Government, including service as Deputy systems. He is a cooperating faculty member with the School Commissioner of the Department of of Policy and International Affairs, and the Center for Research Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Matt is past on Sustainable Forests at the University of Maine . Aria has president of the North American Lake been a visiting professor at the Water Resources Division, U.S. Management Society and past president Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA (1/04-9/04 and 1/11-9/11), of the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine and served eight years on and the Division of Soil Protection at the Swiss Federal Institute the Board of Environmental Protection. Matt is founder of the of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland (5/98-9/98). He has five DEP lakes program in 1970 and the VLMP in 1971 . He is a Master years of professional experience as an environmental and water Maine Guide and a backyard beekeeper for 50+ years . He also resources engineer in the public and private sectors, and is a served on the VLMP Board of Directors for three years . registered Professional Engineer. In addition to his teaching and research duties, he has performed consulting on environmental issues for public agencies and private companies . Karen Wilson earned a M . S . and Ph .D . in Limnology/Zoology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, after Dan Buckley earned his Ph .D . in receiving a B .S . in Fisheries and Wildlife biology at Syracuse University and Biology from the University of California has taught at the University of Maine at Davis . She is a faculty member in the at Farmington for 26 years . He has Department of Environmental Science spent the last 22 years studying at the University of Southern Maine various aspects of the ecology of where she teaches courses with an Maine’s lakes and ponds. Dan has emphasis on aquatic ecology. Karen has worked with many lake associations researched the long-term impacts of invasive species such as the and water utilities helping them rusty crayfish and zebra mussels on community and ecosystem increase their knowledge of lake properties, and has worked on several aquatic restoration ecology and issues with their lake . projects . She is interested in ecological subsidies to ecosystems, UMF was among the first institutions and has been working on marine-freshwater linkages as typified in the state to do high definition GPS bathymetric mapping of by alewives, a diadromous fish with a strong presence in Maine. Maine lakes. Dan is a certified plant patroller and VLMP volunteer She had been continuing her work on crayfish by compiling a lake monitor, and he served on the board of the Congress of Lake state-wide database that tracks the distribution of native and Associations for 13 years, including six years as president. He is introduced crayfish species. She is always excited to receive new their representative to the state taskforce on invasive aquatic specimens to add to the database, and is particularly interested plants . Currently he is monitoring water temperatures in 30 in lakes and streams with an unusually high number of crayfish, Maine lakes to look at seasonal temperature variation and the or reports of fewer crayfish than in years past. Karen lives in dynamics of short term temperature fluctuations, in addition to Portland with her husband (also an aquatic ecologist) and her the impact of climate change on these water bodies . three-year old daughter, an ecologist in training . The VLMP Advisory Board will be meeting within the next few months to explore new ideas and opportunities to strengthen the interface between lake science and lake stewardship. 18 How Do You Keep Track of Your Lake's Ice Cover? The folks at Nickerson Lake Wilderness Preservation, Inc. have come up with a very creative and fun contest to keep track of their ice out-- down to the very minute!

If you are interested in learning more about Nickerson Lake and the NLWP, please visit their website at www.nickersonlake.com.

How do you measure ice-out? Please let us know!

Paul Porter has designed a high-tech apparatus that will determine the time of ice-out with split-second accuracy. He and Al Cowperthwaite have built and installed the device which sets a new standard for ice-out detection equipment.

This picture shows Paul Porter explaining some of the more technical details to Jerry Hammond .

From the NLWP website

President Nancy Putnam has announced the first annual Nickerson Lake Ice-Out Contest!!!

Here is your chance! Were you the one who missed the foul shot that would have won the big game? Or the one who backed your father’s new convertible through the closed garage door? Or the one who mistakenly hit the “Reply to All” button? Now is the time to put all that behind you and become a CHAMPION! Certified as Having Achieved Mastery of Please note: This innovative approach to determining Prognostication on ice-out should not necessarily replace a long-standing I method that has been used on your lake. Consistency ce- is very important in determing trends. Out at Nickerson Lake

Don't Forget to Keep Track of Your Lake's Ice Cover The winter season is just around the corner, so be sure improve our understanding of the relationship between to keep track of your lake's ice cover . The VLMP acts as the duration of ice cover and water quality. a state repository for ice-out records, some stretching You can report ice-in and ice-out via e-mail directly to as far back as the mid-1800's . Your ice-in (and ice-out) [email protected], or you can report by phone data, when paired with water quality readings, may at 207-783-7733 .

19 2013 Interns This fall I will be a senior at Green Last summer I served as an intern Mountain College in Poultney, at the VLMP where my work Vermont, majoring in Biology and focused on education about, minoring in Animal Studies. I hope and the prevention of, invasive to eventually obtain my Masters aquatic species in Maine lakes. Degree in Wildlife Biology and This summer, having graduated maintain a career in a field that in May from Bates College with allows me to research and celebrate a BA in Environmental Studies Libby Davis the last remaining places and and a concentration in geology, Jamey Epstein creatures we may still call “wild.” My I was fortunate to rejoin the previous experience in field biology includes volunteering VLMP team as a Special Projects Assistant. with organizations like Maine Audubon and the Scarborough A highlight of my experiences with the VLMP was being Conservation Commission, assisting with invasive plant part of the Moosehead Lake Jump-Start team in 2012 and species removal and studying the population dynamics of 2013. The energy and expertise that each and every team native land mammals such as fishers and grizzly bears. The member brought to the task of preserving and protecting experience I took away from past opportunities has blessed this valuable resource was truly awe-inspiring. me not only with valuable relationships, skills and knowledge, but also a desire to advance my own understanding of Spending the past two summers at the VLMP has afforded me environmental systems in an effort to share with others the the opportunity to work with an incredible staff. As a small intrinsic value of preservation. non-profit organization, the VLMP embodies leveraging of charitable and environmental dollars to achieve far- Working at the VLMP has been a truly wonderful experience. reaching impacts. The work of a small few helps to activate From the beginning, I strongly resonated with the volunteer-based and support the work of many, resulting in a statewide mission of the organization; however, having the opportunity to team of volunteers who undertake to ensure that Maine see the inner-workings of the VLMP and feel like I was an integral lakes remain pure for future generations. Participating in contributor, was an unexpected and vital take-away. It not only training workshops conducted by the VLMP staff, I found revealed to me the sage undertakings of non-profit organizations, that I gained more confidence in public speaking because but also increased my respect for the devoted individuals who of my belief in the message being delivered. My heart now ensure the success of the program and education and safety of lies with fresh water despite my background in rocks! I do their volunteers. Botanizing the native plants, being out on the not intend to leave Maine, but would rather stay and work water engaging with volunteers and getting a chance to reconnect for the protection and responsible stewarding of Maine’s with the beautiful Maine landscape were highlights of the fresh water resources. While I am saddened that my time summer. The praise I have for the VLMP and those committed with the VLMP has come to an end, I am excited to join to the effort is limitless. I am honored to have played a supportive the Auburn Water District for the fall season where fresh role in working towards preserving lakes and ponds all over the water remains a priority! state through public awareness and outreach. I will take with me excellent real-world experience, and a renewed sense of what it Thank you to all who support the Maine VLMP. See you means to be a part of something larger than oneself as I continue out on the water! on my intended career path.

I grew up in a house where protecting Sebago Lake’s milfoil problem, I can see how easily this Maine’s lakes was a career and a work becomes a lifelong task. Our lakes are such a treasure lifelong dedication�����������—����������my parents that most days the work we do to protect them hardly feels have logged something like 75 like work at all; like all caretakers, we work so closely with combined years doing just that. The our patients that it’s natural to remain passionate even when words “runoff” and “erosion” entered results come slowly. I am grateful to all the volunteers my vocabulary unusually early, and whose contributions sustain our efforts and look forward to I have always had a healthy respect working with many of you again in the future. My degree Mark Dennis for the preciousness and fragility in jazz guitar might never be worth anything, but I’ll be fine of our freshwater resources. And if the rest of my life involves staring down a Secchi disk. I now after five summers in the business - three years with just hope it’s more than two meters deep. the Cobbossee Watershed District and one year fighting Editor's Note: A Secchi reading of 2 meters or less defines a severe algal bloom for Maine lakes . For information on our spring interns, please see page 22. 20 Passings Robert E. Crawford obert E. Crawford will be missed the first President of the Dexter Lakes Association and a Rin Dexter as a man of distinction welcome advisor until his death at age 81. Bob recorded and about water management. Bob had a monitored the Secchi disk readings for over ten years on Lake long-time commitment and concern Wassookeag; he was helpful in assisting other monitors and about the water quality of Lake encouraging Dexter Lake Association members to attend the Wassookeag in Dexter, Maine. He water conferences throughout the state. He enjoyed boating was a valuable contributor to the around the lake with family and friends, observing ice-out, founding of the Dexter Lakes Association 12 years ago. Bob and all the nature the lake offered. was very involved in many community affairs. He was

George A. Cross, Jr. eorge was a long-standing member of the VLMP Board perceptive analysis of the sometimes Gof Directors, during which time he was a steadfast complex issues facing the organization. champion of volunteer lake monitors and Maine lakes. George received the VLMP Lifetime George was also a certified lake monitor on Center Pond Achievement Award at the 2012 Lake in Sangerville, where he was responsible for the formation Monitoring Conference, where he of the lake association. George was very active with the spoke passionately about his concern Congress of Lake Associations for many years. He was a for protecting Maine’s beautiful lakes. great friend to VLMP staff, to whom he often offered his He will missed by us all.

Norm Francis Harte, Jr. e are saddened by the passing Norm was water quality monitor on Mattawamkeg for Wof our friend Norm Harte, who 8 years, and a certified invasive plant patroller for 3 died May 26, 2013, at the age of 75. years. He served as regional IPP coordinator for Island In 1999, Norm and his wife Esther Falls for eight years and was instrumental in bringing retired, and split their time between IPP training and invasive aquatic plant survey activity their home on Mattawamkeg Lake to the region. in Island Falls (where he served as Norm is survived by his wife, Esther, four children president of the Island Falls Lakes and six grandchildren, and was proud to have taught Association for many years) and Punta Gorda, Florida. them all the joy of fishing and sailing on his beloved Norm was an avid sailor and expert skier. Mattawamkeg Lake.

Ralph H. Johnston t the time of his passing at age 92, Ralph was to Maine lakes at the 2011 VLMP Abelieved to be the eldest statesman of Maine Lake Monitoring Conference. lake monitoring. Everyone who knew Ralph will long Ralph was very active in a remember his remarkable positive spirit, and seemingly variety of community causes and endless energy. He was a volunteer water quality organizations, ran for office in the monitor on Highland Lake in Windham for 37 years, and Maine State Legislature, and was participated in many surveys of aquatic flora and fauna a US Navy veteran. on the lake with his monitoring partner, Keith Williams. Ralph was recognized for his longevity and contributions

The VLMP cares deeply about our volunteer lake monitors . If you wish to share news of a passing, please contact us .

21 2013 Interns Sponsorship Through Advertising Last spring, Bates College students Felix Xie (L) and K�ristian������� in the Water Column Muldoon (R) joined the VLMP for a six-week internship. The value of Maine’s lakes to the state’s economy is Both Kristian and substantial; studies have shown that our lakes conservatively Felix are majoring generate 3.5 billion dollars in economic activity annually. in Environmental An increasing number of Maine businesses—companies Studies, and were who not only see the connection between clean lakes and vital to preparations economic prosperity, but who also understand the value of 1 for the 2013 volunteer “match” — now support the work of the VLMP. monitoring season. It is in this spirit of mutually beneficial collaboration that we welcome this issue’s corporate sponsors. Many thanks, If you, or your company, are interested in supporting the Kristian and Felix! work of the VLMP through underwriting/sponsorship of this newsletter, or another aspect of program operation, through the placement of a notice concerning your business, please contact Reminder to all us. Sponsorship notices will be accepted at the discretion of the staff and Board of Directors. Volunteer Lake Monitors: 1. Every dollar donated to the VLMP is matched at least 10 times over Help ensure the 2013 Maine Lakes Report will by volunteer support! be complete by sending in your data now! FREE T-Shirts for Certified Lake Monitors! Volunteer Water Quality Certified lake monitors are eligible for one of these beautiful t-shirts, Regional & Data Coordinators free-of-charge! T-shirts will be Help with activities such as scheduling re- available in 2014, and may be certification workshops, communicating picked up at any water quality with volunteers, and lake data entry. For re-certification workshop, IPP more information, please contact us at workshop, or other VLMP event, [email protected] or 207-783-7733. including the annual conference . If you are unable to pick up your t-shirt, you may have yours mailed Front Become a Friend of the VLMP ! to you for the cost of shipping & The VLMP is a uniquely volunteer-powered organization. Most handling: $7 00. . VLMP volunteers are committed to the critically important task Don't miss out! Please contact of monitoring the health of Maine lakes. But there are many the VLMP with your shirt size, other off-the-water tasks that need to be done in order to keep either by email or phone, at the entire statewide lake monitoring enterprise moving forward vlmp@mainevlmp org,. or 207- smoothly. As the VLMP grows, these essential behind-the- scenes 783-7733 . tasks are also increasingly being shared by our volunteers. We are pleased to acknowledge Friends of the VLMP are lending their time, talents and creativity YSI Incorporated for their to help us build and maintain one of the largest and most active generous support to make these citizen-based lake monitoring programs in the nation. With Back t-shirts possible! their much-needed and greatly valued help, the VLMP is better Final layout and design of able to meet the demands of Maine’s ever-growing statewide t-shirt may be slightly different. network of volunteer lake monitors. Interested? We are eager to help YOU find and/or expand your Show Off Your Pride special niche in the VLMP. We can use help with a wide range of seasonally variable tasks, from data entry and assembling bulk as a VLMP Certified mailings, to helping with yard work and making repairs to the property. Please contact us today to learn more! Lake Monitor! 22 23 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

If you would like to go green and receive the Water Column in electronic format, please contact the VLMP at vlmp@mainevlmp org. . looking for Other Ways to Support the VLMP?

When you clean out your attic, purchase a newer version of an appliance, or inherit something useful you don't have room for, please consider donating to the VLMP.

Here is a list of some items we need. If you would like to donate an item to the VLMP, please contact us before doing so, to make sure it is a good fit for the organization. All donations to the VLMP are tax-deductible.

Picnic Table Large Coffee Urn Microwave Floor Lamps Small Computer Desk Step-stool Vacuum Cleaner Plates / Bowls / Mugs Brooms Office Chairs Filing Cabinets Bookcase Laptops

Thank you for your support!