the Water C lumn The Newsletter of the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program

Vol. 21, No. 1 Celebrating the Work of Maine's Certified Citizen Lake Scientists Fall 2016 What’s Inside : President's Message ...... 2 Lakeside Notes ~ Reminiscing ...... 3 President’s Enter Secchi Readings on Your Phone or PC ...... 3 Littorally Speaking ~ IPP Jump-Start on Acadia ...... 4 Quality Counts ~ Blooming Lakes ...... 6 Message Grant Funding for Watershed Surveys ...... 6 Under the Hand Lens ~ Spiny Waterflea ...... 7 Bill Monagle Mowing Lakes?? ...... 8. President, VLMP Board of Directors New Advisory Board Member: Roy Bouchard . . . 8 NSF Grant Supports Lake Vulnerability Study . . . 9 n the past, my contributions certified lake monitors from several An Evolving Relationship with the VLMP ...... 9 Ito the Water Column have been of our lakes, was somewhat revealing. IPP Notes from the Front Lines ...... 10 representative of what a president’s For instance, a couple of our lakes Fostering Citizen Stewardship for Maine's Lakes . . . 12 message should be, or so I’d like that regularly suffer significant late Welcome, New Lake Monitors! ...... 13 to think. This year, with most of summer and early fall algae blooms, Thank You to Our Generous Donors! ...... 14 the southern and central areas of driven to a large extent by internal The 2016 Drought and Its Effects ...... 16 Maine having experienced severe to loading of phosphorus from bottom 2016 Annual Conference in Review ...... 18 Meet the 2016 VLMP Interns ...... 20 extreme drought conditions, I believe sediments, bloomed again this year, The VLMP Model Spreads to Bolivia! ...... 21 it has made for some interesting but only after a relatively clear stretch. Encouraging Stewardship for the Future . . . . 22 observations on our lakes and ponds. I Other lakes that tend to suffer similar Passings ...... 24 am channeling my inner lake manager algae blooms, but with the suspected Monofilament Fishing Line Survey ...... 28 to share some of my thoughts in driving influence being NPS pollution presenting my message. from their respective watersheds, VLMP Staff Scott Williams Executive Director As you all well know, the central experienced unusually good water Roberta Hill Invasive Species Program Director hallmark of the Maine VLMP clarity throughout the summer. And Steve Mortimer Development Director is the collection of credible water finally, several lakes that generally have Jonnie Maloney Program Coordinator quality data by certified volunteer relatively undeveloped watersheds and Christine Guerette Program Assistant typically exhibit very good water clarity Steve Lambert Development Assistant lake monitors, who act as citizen scientists keeping a watchful eye on throughout the summer behaved Board of Directors normally this season. Bill Monagle, President (Winthrop) the health of our lakes. Over time, Mary Jane Dillingham, Vice President (Auburn) VLMP data has been used largely As I mentioned above, I’ve only glossed Sibyl French, Treasurer (Raymond) to assess the current conditions of over the data from this year, but I Susan Breau, Secretary (Portland) Maine’s lakes and ponds, and whether believe the data collected under these Malcolm Burson (Portland) or not, they are remaining stable, unusual circumstances could provide Robert French (Raymond) Paul Hunt (Portland) or are improving or declining. This insight into the degree that watershed- Marsha Letourneau (Kennebunkport) year, Mother Nature has offered us based phosphorus pollution influences Linda Bacon QA/QC Advisor (Maine DEP) a rather unique opportunity. With water clarity in individual lakes, Advisory Board stormwater runoff being greatly thereby guiding strategic support for Aria Amirbahman, PhD Firooza Pavri, PhD reduced due to the severe drought, prescribing appropriate actions for Roy Bouchard, MS Matt Scott, MS lake watersheds, and nonpoint- lake management. Dan Buckley, PhD Peter Vaux, PhD (Chair) source phosphorus pollution (NPS) Holly Ewing, PhD Ken Wagner, PhD My point being that data collected C . Barre Hellquist, PhD Pixie Williams, MS from stormwater runoff, has to by volunteer monitors, I believe, in David Littell, JD Karen Wilson, PhD some extent been removed from the some cases may prove invaluable in Steve Norton, PhD nutrient budget equation, thereby the decision-making process when Cover Photo: Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park, by Jonnie Maloney allowing us to observe the behavior progressing from the lake monitoring of individual lakes with minimal stage to successful lake management. external (watershed) influence. For a broader discussion on how At the Cobbossee Watershed District in the lakes of Maine responded to the south-central Maine where I perform drought conditions this past summer, my day job, a cursory review of Secchi I invite you to check out Scott Editorial Staff disk transparency (SDT) data collected Williams’ article on page 16. Scott Williams Steve Mortimer by the CWD staff, as well as VLMP Roberta Hill Christine Guerette Jonnie Maloney, Layout Steve Lambert Funding for this newsletter is made possible in part by This newsletter is printed on 50% post-consumer grants from the Maine Department of Environmental recycled paper; produced & mailed by Penmor To Contact Us Protection, the US Environmental Protection Agency, Lithographers, Lewiston, Maine . 24 Maple Hill Road, Auburn, Maine 04210 and the Lake and River Protection Sticker Fund; www MaineVLMP. org. (207) 783-7733 vlmp@mainevlmp org. individual donations and corporate underwriting. 2 Lakeside Notes Reminiscing t feels as if only a few years have participating in research projects that have Ipassed since the VLMP went through helped us learn more about Maine’s lakes. the transformation from being a program From day one (1971), the VLMP has been a in state government (Maine DEP) to a grassroots initiative, and so it remains today. nonprofit organization. In 1996, I was My role with this organization has been By Scott Williams asked by a transition committee to consider largely that of a facilitator – simply guiding VLMP Executive Director leading the process, and agreed to do so an inevitable process, thanks to all of you. with some trepidation. I wasn’t confident Whether you see yourselves as volunteer information, and making sure that you that my background in lake science was monitors, citizen scientists, lake stewards, the best fit for nonprofit management. receive recognition for what you have done or all three, the powerful force that has on behalf of our clear, clean lakes. Fortunately, my colleagues and many of driven the growth and effectiveness of the you, have provided invaluable guidance VLMP is your passion and determination, In addition to being the longest-standing and support, and two decades later, I find and the powerful conservation ethic that statewide citizen lake monitoring program myself still here writing this column! defines your work. You inspire all of us to in the nation, Maine’s VLMP is now During the past twenty years, the VLMP support your efforts! an internationally recognized entity, known for its unique partnerships and has grown substantially, in the number All of us here feel privileged to work of certified volunteer lake monitors collaborations that encompass nonprofits, on your behalf. Speaking from personal local, state, regional and national agencies (approaching 1,400), the number of Maine experience, what has so strongly motivated lakes being monitored (about 450), and and organizations and hundreds of lakes. me from day one has been the many If you think this sounds impressive, the scope of the work of the organization, opportunities that I have had to interact which has expanded to include more remember that the VLMP is where it is with you: at workshops, getting to know today thanks to all of you. So, give yourself comprehensive water quality monitoring, and discussing your lakes, helping you work invasive aquatic species screening and a good pat on the back, and keep up the through equipment challenges, finding good work! prevention, lake watershed assessment, and easier and more cost-effective ways to access

Enter Secchi Disk Readings Directly from Your Cell Phone or PC! wo years ago, we created a website the reading was taken, and any comments/ readings over time, and displays the image Tto enable VLMP certified lake observations from the lake monitor, whose along with the data for all participating monitors to enter Secchi disk readings photo is included on the lake page, as well. lakes. Historical data for each lake can be and observations on a web page that An automated graphic program tracks the accessed from the lake pages, as well. In is accessible to the general addition to Secchi readings, ice-out dates public. The web page was for your lake can be entered on the website. developed as a preliminary All that it takes to enter a Secchi reading is quality assurance step for a cell phone or PC, and a password. Or, if more comprehensive online preferred, readings can be phoned in to data entry in the future. the VLMP, and we will enter your data. However, the site also allows We are hoping to expand the number of the general public to learn participating monitors and their lakes in about current conditions 2017. You can sign up and activate your in Maine lakes throughout lake page any time by contacting us via the monitoring season. Last email or phone. You will then receive summer, the site averaged your password, and your account will more than 5,000 visits/month! be activated when we receive your first The website shows the Secchi reading next summer. To view the location of all participating NRTLD website and map, please visit lakes on the opening page, www.mainevlmp.org/near-real-time-lake- and there is a separate page for data/, and click on the blue NRTLD banner. each lake, which shows each We look forward to hearing from you! reading entered, the date that 3 Littorally Speaking Invasive Plant Patrol Jump-Start on the Waters of Acadia aquatic plant screening survey and native by Roberta Hill plant inventory on one or more target VLMP Invasive Species Program Director waterbodies; and 2) helping to “jump- start” a locally sustainable citizen-based the other, the lakes of Acadia had been on monitoring program in the region through our short list of possible projects for years. outreach, training, and direct interaction Our response to Jesse and Billy was a swift with the host community. IPP Jump-Start and enthusiastic—yes! was piloted in 2008 on Maine’s largest lake—Moosehead. (To learn more about A call went out, the team was assembled, Jump-start and the Moosehead project, please four days in mid-September were set check out the VLMP’s short 8.5-minute aside for the expedition, and—after much With a surface area of nearly 1000 acres, and documentary, The Hunt for Aquatic planning and preparation—the team roughly fifteen miles of shoreline, Great Long set out for Acadia. Other than a brief Pond in Mount Desert, is MDI’s largest lake, as well Invaders, online at www.mainevlmp.org/ as one of its most popular tourist destinations. hunt-aquatic-invaders.) bout of thunderstorms and an occasional The 2016 Acadia Jump-start team conducted a troublesome wind, the weather conditions complete level-3 IAP screening survey on Great Having accomplished the survey at Long Pond, Somes Pond, and . We are could not have been more amenable to very pleased to report . . . no aquatic invaders , the team began the task at hand. We thoroughly enjoyed were found. considering our next undertaking. the gracious accommodations that had passionate concern for the lakes of Maine The answer came early in 2016 when been arranged for us by our hosts, and A. . . a deep connection to nature . . . we were approached by Jesse Wheeler found ourselves repeatedly in awe of the the enjoyment of spending time outdoors (Acadia National Park) and Billy Helprin breathtaking environs. We made many (especially on lakes) . . . a natural bent toward (Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary). new friends in the community, and had lifelong learning . . . the desire to work as Jesse and Billy—partners on a number of great fun as a team—working together, part of a team to achieve something that conservation and education efforts in and sharing our discoveries, and—when time would be difficult—if not impossible—to around the Park—had heard about the allowed—simply hanging out in spirit of accomplish alone . . . the chance to spend Jump-start program and the success of the comradery. All this, while accomplishing quality time with friends, family and others Moosehead project, and were wondering if way more than we had ever hoped to. The doing something valuable and purposeful . . . the VLMP team would be willing to take on 2016 Acadia Jump-Start mission was, These are just some of the reasons people tell us one (or more) of Acadia’s most vulnerable in other words, a fabulously successful that they decide to get involved with Maine’s lakes while helping to activate a local venture! Here is just a brief glimpse of Invasive Plant Patrol. During our recent volunteer IPP effort. Given their excellent some of the accomplishments: IPP Jump-Start experience on Mount Desert water quality and pristine ecological health on one side, and their higher-than-average ~ Comprehensive (Level 3) Invasive Island, all of the above and much, much more Aquatic Plant screening surveys were came together spectacularly, in the form of our vulnerability due to tourism pressure on 2016 Acadia Jump-Start Team. The Acadia Jump-Start expedition—a mission carried out primarily by trained volunteers including many of Maine’s most experience patrollers— exceeded expectations on every front! The goal of the IPP Jump-Start is to promote and support citizen-based early detection efforts in areas of the state where such activities are currently lacking. The VLMP works to accomplish this through: 1) organizing a survey team—comprised The Echo Lake survey team was comprised of ANP staff members (L-R) Shannon Wiggin, Shari Latulippe, Jim Burka, Alex Fetgatter, Adam Thime, and Jesse Wheeler; in addition to Billy Helprin (SMWS), Bunny Wescott, primarily of seasoned volunteer Invasive Bob French, Sibyl French, Sherry Pettyjohn, Ellie White, Lea Stabinski, Dennis Roberge, Willis White, and Plant Patrollers, supported by VLMP Roberta Hill (taking the photo) . Team members not pictured here are Sue Carrington, Tom Larned, Toni Pied, staff—to conduct a comprehensive invasive Ross Wescott, Mark Whiting, Katherine Whiting and Keith Williams. 4 “We are very thankful for must be said—that were conducted by the experienced ‘IPPers’ who highly skilled, professional botanists). came from all over the state Team members Dennis Roberge and to help kick off a local IPP Keith Williams may also have found an arrowhead species that has never even effort on MDI. Great people, been recorded in Maine! (We are planning great results, great fun!” to collect a second voucher specimen Billy Helprin ~ Director from the colony in 2017 to confirm this Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary finding; we'll keep you posted!) ~ The Plant Paddle at Somes-Meynell completed on three MDI waterbodies: Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday was very Great Long Pond, Somes Pond, and well-attended and received. As a result Echo Lake. NO AQUATIC INVADERS of this event, a number of new local WERE FOUND! Invasive Plant Patrollers were trained and ~ Native plant inventories were completed activated. Some attendees liked what they on all target waterbodies. The team found experienced so much, they enthusiastically Plant Paddles provide a fun, on-lake learning several native aquatic plant species that joined the team, lending their watchful experience for people of all ages . had not previously been recorded on these eyes and newfound plant identification of the most competent, effective, and waterbodies (during earlier surveys—it skills to the surveys. efficient citizen-based scientific research ~ Volunteer team members got a chance expeditions in Maine history! to work closely with professional Park I once again find myself tremendously and Sanctuary staff, affording a unique heartened and grateful to have been part opportunity for a lively exchange of of something that proves without doubt, knowledge and experience, in which much all that can be accomplished when people gained on both sides. come together to protect what they love. ~ In addition to having some of Maine's What's next? We have already begun to most experienced volunteer aquatic plant explore the possibility of returning to surveyors (and Moosehead Jump Start Acadia next year to survey some additional team veterans) lending their experience lakes, and to continue to build upon the Attendees of the IPP Plant Paddle at Somes- and expertise to the effort, additional local IPP momentum. If it looks like this Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary, study and sort the aquatic plants they and others had collected experienced Patrollers from around the project is going to move forward in earnest, during the paddle, learning how to determine if a state came forward to join the 2016 team. we will certainly need all the IPP help we plant is “suspicious,” and what to do if a suspicious The result was truly awe-inspiring, and plant is found . can get. Perhaps even YOU will decide to may very well go down on record as one join us! So please stay tuned! 2016 VLMP Workshop Season at a Glance IPP Stats: 385 people attended 1 or more: 6: IPP Plant Paddles WQ Stats 5: IPP 101s (44 certified) 3: Water Quality Training Workshops 2: IAP Manual Control 2: DO & Temperature Workshops 1: IPP Field Methods 14: Re-certification Workshops 1: How to Conduct a Plant Paddle 106: Secchi Simulator Re-certs 1: Courtesy Boat Inspection Demo 129: In-person Re-certs 1: Advance Aquatic Plant ID 68: New WQ Volunteers 1: IPP Leaders' Roundtable 19: Added Lakes

5 QualityQuality Counts!Counts!

Blooming Onion, Blooming Flower, Blooming Lake??? e need your help. Many years ago, prevent malicious entering of transparency WDEP posted lakes with reported readings, we will come up with a password- algal blooms on their website. Over the protected means for you to do this. past decade or so, the number of lakes Attention: by Linda Bacon posted has gone from 12-15 down to VLMP Quality Assurance Officer; zero! Unfortunately I’m well aware that Dissolved Oxygen Meter Owners Aquatic Biologist, Maine Department of we have yet to eliminate algal blooms now is about to fly! Lakes are about to Environmental Protection in Maine lakes, although I wish I could Sfreeze! Loons are rafting, readying to say otherwise. After thinking about it, I depart! Time to protect your investment. into a baggie to keep dust off it (by storing suspect that the loosely organized ‘system’ Remember the discomfort when writing disassembled there will be no question that that somewhat worked…for a while…is in the check to purchase your meter? Perhaps a new membrane must be installed come dire need of replacement. This is where you were thinking…‘this is expensive’…and spring). THIRD– Place the meter back you can help! wondering, ‘will it work’…‘will it last’… into its case for winter storage. Choose I brought this up to Scott Williams, and as I have good news! If you properly winterize a warm, dry location for storage because a result we have decided that it is time to your meter, you will extend the life of storage in any other location will promote eliminate the middle-person and empower your fragile device. FIRST– Remove the condensation on sensitive electronic our competent volunteers. In 2017, we batteries (use them up in a flashlight or components during the wide temperature envision that a volunteer will be able to go remote); plan to install new batteries in the swings we experience during the colder to the VLMP website and enter the name spring. SECOND– Winterize the probe. Maine months. And LAST– breathe a sigh and MIDAS number (lake ID), date and To do this, 1) gently unscrew the protective of relief. You have been a good steward ‘offending’ Secchi disk reading (below 2 cage from the probe, 2) carefully remove of your device. Rest assured that the meters) into a table that would be available and discard the membrane, 3) drain the likelihood of it working properly when for viewing by any lake enthusiast. It electrolyte, 4) rinse the probe with distilled all emerge from hibernation has been wouldn’t take very long to enter that or deionized water (tap water is the last increased considerably! information and we would be guaranteed resort), 5) lightly blot the probe dry, then 6) that it would not be lost enroute. To loosely place the probe and detached cage Grant Funding Available to Lake Groups for Conducting Watershed Surveys he VLMP has received grant funding to support a limited typically identify significant numbers of relatively easy-to- Tnumber of Maine lake communities that are interested in detect and resolve problems associated with soil erosion. Details organizing and conducting a volunteer citizen lake watershed survey. concerning the process of conducting a survey can be viewed at: The funding is available on a competitive grant basis through the www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/materials/lakewsurveyguide.pdf. VLMP for surveys conducted during the next two years. Watershed surveys can be a very effective way of building Lake watershed surveys conducted by community volunteers community support for lake protection by bringing together can be a very effective tool for identifying and resolving land people with diverse ecological, economic, recreational and social use problems that may be having perspectives, thereby enhancing a negative influence on lake the long-term stewardship water quality. Another benefit of potential for a lake. Interested watershed surveys is an increase individuals representing lake in overall public awareness about communities (lake associations, threats to lake health. Citizen conservation commissions, road surveys of lake watersheds have associations, etc.) should contact been successfully conducted for Scott Williams at the VLMP for many Maine lakes during the Concerned citizens on Sabbathday Lake pose for a group photo before additional information. past three decades. The surveys heading out into the watershed to conduct their survey . 6 piny waterflea, an invasive zooplankton, Scontinues to spread eastward from the Great Lakes where they arrived in ballast water from Under Europe and Asia. This tiny crustacean now occurs in New York and Vermont (in Lake Champlain). Most Spiny recently, a new population was detected in Indian the Waterflea Lake in the Adirondacks. Up until this detection, Indian Lake was considered to be the Adirondack’s Hand largest invasive-species-free lake. An angler, who was fishing in a deeper section of the lake, collected the spiny waterflea on his fishing line. The long Lens: Bythotrephes spine of these tiny creatures are easily caught on longimanus fishing line, especially on down-rigor lines used to fish in deep water. Adapted from a press release issued August 23, 2016 by the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP).

easily transported in the standing water of boats and bait buckets. Even out of water, a spiny waterflea and the small eggs located on its back can survive for several hours, the time it would take a boat from the Adirondacks to travel to Maine.

Spiny waterflea (Bythotrephes longimanus). Photo courtesy of Dave Brenner, Michigan Sea Grant College Program.

Spiny waterfleas range in size from 1/4 to 5/8 inch long as adults (about the width of a pencil). They feed on other native zooplankton that young fish rely on for food. This can lead to less food for sport fish such as lake trout and salmon. Because their long spines Hundreds of adult spiny waterfleas clumped together on make them both difficult to consume and digest, spiny fishing line. Photo courtesy of APIPP. waterfleas do not make a good replacement food for young fish. In addition, spiny waterfleas can pose a nuisance to anglers who constantly have to remove To prevent the spread of spiny waterflea and other hard them from fishing lines and the clogged eyelets of their to detect invasive aquatic species, it’s important to follow fishing rods. Often, this ability to attach to fishing line these simple steps: and boating equipment, is what allows spiny waterfleas Clean: Whenever leaving a waterway, inspect watercraft and to hitch a ride to new lakes. The species can also be gear and remove aquatic plants and animals, mud, algae and any foreign debris dispose of away from the shoreline. After leaving the launch area wash all gear with high pressure and soap to kill and remove any microscopic hitchhikers. Drain: Drain on shore all water from live-wells, bait buckets, bilges and other reservoirs. Dry: Allow boats and equipment to completely dry for at least five days. For more information on Spiny Waterflea: Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel (NEANS) Fact Sheet Two adult spiny waterfleas on the tip of a pinky www northeastans. org/online-guide/guide. html?GuideID=335&quick=1. finger. The specimen on the left has offspring in the NEANS Species Card brood pouch on its back . Photo courtesy of APIPP. www .northeastans .org/online-guide/ake-card .php?SpeciesID=17

7 Mowing Lakes??

by Steve Mortimer VLMP Development Director

y wife Alice and I had long wanted to live on a lake, but Min New Jersey, water clarity is often measured in inches, not meters. In fact, some lakes are “mowed” in order to allow swimming and kayaking. No kidding!! Imagine our delight ten years ago when we saw the pristine waters of Upper Range Pond while on a visit. Our decision to move to Maine was an instant and easy one, and we’ve congratulated ourselves for it ever since! www .ausenviro com. .au I enjoyed meeting many of you this summer at the workshops. It’s inspiring to see you pursuing your passion for Maine’s lakes. And can expand our protection of Maine lakes to thousands more in your stories about protecting our lakes, in many cases for decades? the coming years. We must. Remarkable and moving. Finally, as many of you know, the necessity to monitor never Also scary, when I consider what would happen if VLMP didn’t ends. Constant vigilance is critical. I hope that you also know that exist. Invasive aquatic plant infestations cause habitat disruption, you, by far, play the most vital role in this effort. In addition to loss of native plant and animal communities, reduced property monitoring, you play a key role in funding the tools, materials, values, impaired fishing, degradation of recreational experiences, training, and technical support needed to keep our mission viable. and enormous, ongoing control costs. Scary indeed. Thank you Thank you so very much for all that you do. I look forward to for doing all that you can to ensure VLMP’s sustainability! working with you to ensure that our beautiful lakes and ponds are Thanks to the generosity of people like you, VLMP volunteers are here for our children and grandchildren! protecting nearly 500 of Maine’s 6,000 lakes. That’s a lot, but we PS: Please write me when you have a minute and tell me your can and must do more. I have every confidence that, together, we favorite VLMP-related story: [email protected].

Welcome New VLMP Advisory Board Member: Roy Bouchard

oy retired in 2012 from the Maine Department of Environmental RProtection after nearly three decades of working on freshwater protection, most of which has been involved with assessment and protection of Maine’s lakes. As Biologist III, Roy oversaw the Lake Assessment Program at DEP for a number of years, which also included the Invasive Species Program for aquatic plants. While the Lakes Program focused on promoting volunteer action, especially water quality monitoring, it also had an emphasis on habitat protection, applied research in collaboration with several colleges, and such diverse topics as the economics of lakes, watershed protection and shoreline evaluation.

After acquiring an MS in Water Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Roy moved to Belgrade with his wife Susan, where they lived for the last thirty years. Major pastimes include travel, camping, hiking and winter trekking, kayaking, and canoeing along with continued involvement in the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance.

8 National Science Foundation Grant Supports Lake Vulnerability Research Project

or the past two years, the VLMP Fhas partnered with the , University of Southern Maine, and the Maine DEP in a research project focused on enhancing Maine’s Index of Lake Vulnerability. The project has focused on gathering both physical and social science data, and integrating the two with other known attributes of individual lakes, including hydrology and water quality data. The resulting information is expected to lead to a more refined model for characterizing a lake’s sensitivity to a decline in water quality over time. Year 3 of the project will be funded by a major grant from the National Science Foundation. The project team includes: Aria VLMP lake monitors and lake association representatives meet with project Amirbahman, Steve Norton and Kacie Fitzgibbon (University leaders to discuss the preliminary Year 1 findings of the Lake Vulnerability of Maine); Firooza Pavri (University of Southern Maine); Linda Index Study . Bacon (Maine DEP) and Scott Williams and participating For more information on the preliminary social science findings, lake monitors (Maine VLMP). The NSF found the focus of see Firooza Pavri’s article on page 12. this multi-year investigating to be compelling and worthy of funding to continue exploring the inter-relationships between physical and social science.

An Evolving Relationship with the VLMP love being on the water, feeling the immensity of the sky, the I can no longer drive Isense of eternity that an undeveloped shoreline conveys to me, myself to lakes, to paddle the immediacy of the hunt of the osprey or eagle as they patrol the my favorite old haunts, water in search of food, or simply the silence of a morning mist. It trolling with artificial does not matter whether it is blowing or calm, I experience a sense of lures in search of the peace on the water that I experience nowhere else, a deep feeling of elusive salmonids I once relationship, of belonging. That is what being on the water means to pursued with great relish. me. That is why I seek it out. I must find my joy in I first encountered the VLMP several years ago while researching a other pursuits. I can still, lake my wife, Lo, and I were interested in. That first encounter led to however, feel that special by Steve Lambert an opportunity for me to contribute meaningful service and effort to connection to the earth, VLMP Development Assistant what I saw as important work, even as my encroaching blindness was to everything, afforded (Pictured with his Seeing Eye Dog, Razz) slowly robbing me of my ability to contribute, at least in the ways I me by my experience on had always been accustomed to. the water. That sense of connection to and through lakes, which I imagine is shared by most people, is what compels me to be a part It meant a lot to me to work collaboratively with the staff, whether of the VLMP. So now, as a part-time staff member, I continue to helping with mailings, doing light construction work, or just doing count myself very fortunate for having found the Maine Volunteer whatever I could do to make a difference. I especially enjoyed the Lake Monitoring Program, where most of my current exploits have ongoing learning about the essence and value of the work done by to do with helping find resources to support our important work of the VLMP, and meeting the so many wonderful people associated keeping tabs on the pulse of as many Maine lakes as we can, so that with their efforts. It was not long before I began to feel like a part we can be poised to move quickly, if and when any water quality of the organization, a process that was a natural one, given the open degradation occurs, or if an invasive plant rears its ugly head in any arms with which the staff welcomed any and all of my ideas, whether of our precious waters. they made sense or not. I was not just appreciated for what I could do, but for who I was. That meant a lot. Save the Date! The 2017 VLMP Annual Conference is Scheduled for Saturday, July 29th! 9 Invasive Plant Patrol Notes from the Front Lines This issue of the Water Column features several stories that make clear the critical role that VLMP Invasive Plant Patrollers are playing in the effort to protect Maine waters from the threat of aquatic invaders. What is your story? What is the status of early detection in your community? Your IPP experience may be invaluable to your fellow patrollers, as well as those considering getting involved. Please share your stories with us, so we can pass them along! Thank you all for helping to build one of the nation's most comprehensive invasive aquatic plant early detection programs.

Middle School Students Are Leading the Way! team of students at Spruce Mountain they had found in Brettuns Pond in AMiddle School (Jay Maine) decided Livermore, had not yet been reported. to take on the “LEGO League Challenge,” In accordance with VLMP protocols, the a friendly competition in which students students recorded GPS coordinates for choose and solve real-world problems. the sighting location, and took a series of With this year’s challenge exploring ways voucher photos which they submitted to in which people interact with animals, the VLMP for confirmation. The data the Jedi Jaguars (Lily Bailey, Jacob Bryant, they collected confirming Maine’s newest Ashley Chicoine, Owen Dow, Evan CMS sighting, has now been added to the Farmer, and Aden Richard) decided to statewide database and will be added to focus their attention on some critters that Jedi Jaguars team member, Evan Farmer, searches the Lakes of Maine website soon. In the are causing problems for people here in for Chinese Mystery Snails in Brettun’s Pond. meantime, the study of CMS continues in Maine—invasive Chinese Mystery Snails. indeed find exactly what they were looking the classroom where the team has set up an With the help of their teacher/coach, for! Researching the known locations observation aquarium. The first finding of Rob Taylor, the team started visiting local of CMS in Maine on the VLMP Lakes note is that the snails apparently love to eat waterbodies in search of the walnut-sized of Maine website (www.lakesofmaine. blanched broccoli. Who knew? Way to go, snails. Imagine their surprise when they did org), the team determined that the snails Jedi Jaguars!

nder the guidance and encouragement submersibles, equipped with buoyancy Uof their teacher, Patrick Parent, and control and underwater cameras, seem Chris Taylor, a local engineer volunteering especially promising with respect to early- his time and expertise, students at season monitoring. Stems of variable Massabesic Middle School have designed water-milfoil, typically survive the winter and constructed two distinctly different by laying down upon the sediments, where Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV’s). The they can be hard to detect from a boat ROV’s are currently in the testing phase, at the surface. Rather than having to being evaluated for their effectiveness wait until the water has warmed enough in milfoil detection and sampling. The for divers to survey, (when the plants— fully restored to their former vigor—are Massabesic Middle School students have created poster-sized depth maps for area lakes, with IPP once more standing erect) this technology survey areas (littoral zones) highlighted. allows surveyors to scan areas at depth in search of the ‘resting’ milfoil plants; and on a wide array of invasive species, when something suspicious is found, to alongside expert presenters and exhibitors collect a sample. from across the state. In addition to In addition to ROV development, Pat informing teachers, students and parents/ Parent’s students now regularly participate grandparents about the threat of aquatic in IPP 101 training with their lake invaders in Maine, the Forum is attended association member counterparts; create by over a hundred additional members of the community. Thanks to Patrick Parent Students Wyatt Johnson (L) and Jeremiah Van poster-sized depth maps of area lakes for Tassell (R) of Massabesic Middle School in East their lake association partners, and host a and his students, the future of Maine’s Waterboro demonstrate one of their remote Invasive Plant Patrol in York County is in operated vehicles (ROVs) . daylong Invasive Aquatic Species Forum where they present research findings very good hands, indeed! 10 Invasive Plant Patrol Now Has its Own Native Plant Guide By Lucy Leaf, Certified IPP, Toddy Pond began patrolling with Linda, she seemed t started with a few photos. “I took them like a paddling encyclopedia to me; her Ifor my own benefit,” my camp neighbor knowledge and enthusiasm got me studying Linda Jellison told me. For close to a emergent flowers and underwater structures decade, Linda has been a plant patroller alike, using a magnifying glass to look for Toddy Pond, a nine-mile- in for serrated edges, noticing various leaf the mid-coast region. If a plant remotely arrangements. With Linda’s companionship resembled an invasive, she placed it in a and mentoring, plant patrol really started Toddy Pond plant patroller and plant guide plastic bag and took it to Hancock County getting FUN; and along the way, I became photographer, Linda Jellison, getting a close-up of pipewort in flower. Soil & Water Conservation District a better plant patroller! (HCSWCD) for further evaluation. Once Toddy Pond IPP team leader and Harvard photographer with minimal computer each plant was identified, (thankfully they educator, Bob Levine, was fast to recognize savvy; she “simply likes to take pictures of were all natives) Linda took a photo of the value of patrollers becoming familiar plants.” I have even less talent in either the plant and labeled it, so she could with the common native plants in our department, but, since my fridge fills up remember it for the next year. Eventually, lake. By becoming more familiar with with plants every summer—a sure warning she began sharing her Toddy Pond ‘native what is native to our lake, we will more sign of addiction—we decided I was plant photo album’ with fellow plant readily be able to spot a newcomer. Bob qualified to be the “editor.” Fortunately, patrollers around the lake. was so impressed with Linda’s photos, he other members have the technical skills to I’d been patrolling for invasives for the made color copies of the complete album get the booklet to the publisher ready to go. last five years, but I was somewhat stuck (at his own expense), offering an album With the technical assistance from VLMP at the level of being able to identify only to everyone who signed up to help with staff who provided the final QA/QC check seven or eight native plants. Even those the surveys. To ensure each team member on all of our plant identifications, we have few required review every summer because would also know how to spot invasive made some adjustments and added some I usually forgot them one year to the plants if/when they encountered them, close-up photos of key features. Bob also purchased a set of VLMP Aquatic next. I found Linda’s booklet provided a Soon I will be thumbing my way through Species ID Cards for each participant. very helpful annual refresher, and with my own copy of the Native Plants of it, my proficiency has increased to the The next step, according to Bob, was to Toddy Pond, and thinking ahead to next point where I can now identify more than formally publish a booklet; and suddenly summer’s paddles with Linda. It will be fun fifteen plants with confidence. There has things got more serious! If we were going to see all of our familiar lake plants, and been another important component to my to print the booklet, it had to be absolutely more fun yet if we discover a new native growing confidence as well. When I first right. Linda claims she is an amateur plant to add to the next edition!

Tips for Forming an Active Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP) Team Adapted from Mike Cloutier’s recent word about the threat of aquatic invaders short (8.5-minute) documentary The Hunt VLMP Annual Conference presentation. to any and all groups that use the lake, for Aquatic Invaders—available on-line and Mike is a Certified IPP, and the IPP Team road associations, at all lake functions, to in DVD format—provides an excellent Leader for Sabbathday Lake Association. EVERYONE you speak to! The VLMP’s overview of the issue. The VLMP website 1. Someone needs to lead the effort. The www.mainevlmp.org is also a great place team leader helps recruit team members, to find adaptable PR materials and other organizes the survey team, provides local helpful resources. technical support, and more. Who should 3. Ask for help! When it comes to aquatic lead your IPP team? If you are reading this, invaders, the more eyes on the water, the YOU are a likely candidate! If you don’t better. Seek out like-minded (lake-minded) think you can take this on, on you own, individuals and ask them to join your team find someone around the lake that feels as effort. Let them know that they can obtain you do, and share the duties as co-leaders! Sabbathday Lake IPP Team Leader, Mike free training and technical support from the Cloutier, sharing his tips and enthusiasm with an VLMP, and that you and other team 2. Everyone in your community needs appreciative audience at this year’s VLMP Lake to understand the threat. Spread the Monitoring Conference . ...continued on page 23 11 Fostering Citizen Stewardship for Maine’s Freshwater Lakes of twenty four lakes. The largest number concerns, the focused data collection efforts of respondents (73 percent) were from by VLMP on water quality and invasive the sixty years or older age group and 60 species monitoring, watershed surveys, and percent of those responding were retired. ice-in/ice-out tracking all contribute to our By Firooza Pavri Nearly 80 percent of all respondents had long-term scientific understanding of the VLMP Advisory Board either a Bachelors or graduate degree changes our lakes experience. Director, Muskie School of Public Service and 67 percent had an annual income Long-term VLMP members also have the University of Southern Maine of over $50,000. When asked to reflect historical benefit of observing the efficacy on a description of the work they of stewardship activities and their first-hand itizen science research engages the engage in, respondents favored the terms knowledge can help resource managers Cpublic in data collection efforts that environmental stewardship (74%), data and decision-makers understand strategies contribute to the scientific endeavor. collection (40%), volunteerism (36%) and that work and are worth pursuing. Our Members of the Maine Volunteer Lake community service (21%) over necessarily survey provided some key insights on Monitoring Program exemplify such calling themselves citizen scientists this front. Education, communication work, contributing time and resources to (20%). The identification of these terms and outreach to property owners and collect systematic data on environmental suggests that individuals engaged in such the general public are identified as key conditions that affect Maine’s lakes. collaborative projects think of themselves as contributors to sustaining stewardship Beyond data collection and the scientific stewards first and foremost, which may also practices and fostering a long-term contributions they make, such citizen help explain their long-term involvement conservation ethic around Maine lakes. commitment can foster a conservation with VLMP. Encouraging the greater involvement of stewardship ethic across local communities. The motivations of volunteers to engage in the younger generation through engaging Our current project, which includes a lake stewardship and monitoring activities Youth Conservation Corps and schools by partnership between the University of is varied and multi-faceted. While concern “learning through doing” is also emphasized Southern Maine, the University of Maine, for lake health and its future ranks high, as important to assist the work of VLMP. the VLMP and the Maine Department equally important to many who responded Building social capital, or relationships of Environmental Protection, seeks to is a deep sense of personal attachment to between people and organizations, nested assess the vulnerability of Maine lakes the lake and its surrounding and personal at different scales and involvement levels to water quality decline. As part of this satisfaction from contributing to a cause. is identified as critical to maintaining study, the University of Southern Maine One of the highest responses received on long-term conservation efforts. Finally, and the VLMP engaged in a survey of lake the question of motivation was a strong respondents identified networks, with associations and VLMP monitors across a belief in, and commitment to, VLMP’s supporting institutions like land trusts, study sample of twenty four lakes to examine mission. Repeat volunteers build long-term the Department of Environmental their role in data collection, monitoring, relationships between their peers. The Protection, Soil and Water Conservation and conservation management vis-à-vis rapport of trust and communication built Districts, town and county offices and lake stewardship. These data enable us between them and VLMP also facilitates municipalities, as vital to the longer-term to build a profile of our citizen stewards. a sense of community that keeps bringing success of lake stewardship. Moreover, we are able to elaborate on the them back. The insights provided by these survey data factors that influence their involvement in Many volunteers live in the vicinity of lakes enable us to assess citizen engagement and lake protection and conservation activities or are also long-term residents of the lakes shed light on strategies that can encourage and detail the elements they consider they monitor. As such, their insights into positive conservation stewardship important for lake stewardship and citizen lake health can provide valuable historical outcomes for Maine lakes. Currently, participation. These data will help us assess data. Respondents in our survey are most we are expanding the implementation ways in which engaged public involvement concerned with negative water quality of our survey to additional Maine lakes. influences the long-term success of conservation trends and invasive species affecting their Eventually our aim is to incorporate these strategies and provide insights into how more lakes. In addition to these biophysical social data with physical science data on effective, long-lasting partnerships between considerations, concerns over shorefront lakes to arrive at a more comprehensive citizen conservation groups and scientists can and watershed development activities and understanding of both the social and be developed. increased lake usage ranked a close second, physical variables that contribute to the During the summer and fall of 2015 while concerns over climate change vulnerability of Maine lakes to negative survey data were collected from 342 impacts on lakes ranked third. Given these water quality trends. VLMP members across our study sample 12 Welcome, New Lake Monitors! New Volunteer Lake Monitors Certified in 2016 Scott Aiman, Little Ossipee Flowage Margaret Lowry, Black Pond Pam Akers, Crescent Lake Malcolm MacDonald, Gardner Lake Lauren Bizzari, Kezar Lake Mark MacKenzie, Bunganock Pond Lorraine Boston, Bauneag Beg Lake Elizabeth Manduca, Charlie Bradbury, Crescent Lake David Markley, Swan Lake Frank Braun, Washington Pond Janet Martin, Toddy Pond James Brogan, Tilton Pond William Martin, Toddy Pond Jennifer Brown, Androscoggin Lake Sarah Mattox, Toddy Pond David Burnell, Watchic Pond Andrew McPartland, Nickerson Lake Nicholas Cabral, Swan Lake JoAnn Meisel, Dorothy Carlsten, Toddy Pond Sue Mello, Knickerbocker Pond & Adams Pond Kaitlin Carr, Great East Lake & Wilson Lake Harold Moody, Green Lake Andy Chakoumakos, Kezar Lake Joe Mousseau, Plymouth, Etna, & Rounds Rick Clifford, Hogan Pond Jeremy Nettleton, Gardner Lake Alison Clift, Harriman Pond Dean Norris, Burgess Pond Jacob Cowperthwaite, Nickerson Lake Suzanne Nutting, Little Allen Cronan, Little Sebago Lake Robert O'Brien, Duckpuddle Pond Ray Daily, Pleasant River Lake Keith Odell, Green Lake Amanda Davis, Dodge Pond Sam Onion, Josh Davis, Haley Pond Field Peterson, Auburn Lake Chris Devine, Rangeley Lakes Area Pam Peterson, Bauneag Beg Lake Christal Dionne, Bauneag Beg Lake Wendy Pickett, Little Sebago Lake Leah Rae Donahue, Witch Hole Pond Cynthia Piekos, Kennebunk Pond Kevin Donoghue, Elizabeth Pimentel, Rangeley Lake Merline Douglas, Minnehonk Lake Donald Porter, Shagg Pond Bruce Dow, Embden Pond Wendy Porter, Shagg Pond Pamela Elias, Toddy Pond John Preble, Richardson Lakes Chris Erb, Wayne Rancourt, Saint George Lake John Ewtuch, Adams Pond Ron Reinhart, West Harbor Pond Deborah Ferrara, Rangeley Lake Heather Ricker, Little Ossipee Flowage Jim Ferrara, Rangeley Lake Lidie Robbins, 30 Mile River Area Bob Gerber, Long Pond Arnold Rosario, Little Sebago Lake Cynthia Giguere-Unrein, Androscoggin Lake Donald Rycroft, Chris Gillespie, Limington Area Debbie Scialdone, Bauneag Beg Lake Sal Girifalco, North Pond Chris Smith, Sebec Lake Mike Goodwin, Upper Cold Stream Pond Susan Steingass, Hancock County Area Janene Gorham, Forest Lake Joanne Stinson, Crescent Lake James Graul, Beaver Mountain Lake Thomas Straub, Great Pond Katie Greenman, Alamoosook Lake Richard Strickland, Sandy Pond Suzanne Groet, Big Kennebago Lake Sharon Strickland, Sandy Pond James Hennemann, Crystal Lake Robert Taylor, Moose Hill Pond & Parker Pond Isaac Hutchinson, Square Pond Theresa Theodose, Highland (Duck) Lake Carol Johnson, Great Pond Brian Timberlake, Middle Branch Pond Robert Joslyn, Watchic Pond Jim Timberlake, Brettun's Pond Sue Knorr, Parker Pond Allen Unrein, Androscoggin Lake Greg Krohn, Green Lake Derrill Vezina, Square Pond Jeffrey Kyes, Upper Cold Stream Pond Jon Waleski, Echo Lake (Crotched Pond) Rebecca Labranche, Bunganock Pond Sandra Webster, North Pond Andrew Lawpaugh, Little Ossipee Lake & Holland Pond Tom Webster, North Pond Peter Leitner, Panther Pond Barbara Zamierowski, Beaver Mtn . Lake John Linton, Parker Pond Adam Zemans, Highland (Duck) Lake John Lowry, Black Pond 13 Thank You! In Appreciation of our Recent Generous Donors Individuals ~Anonymous Donors Ann M. Dyer Robert Lively Bob & Pat Severance Derek & Laura Abbott Bruce & Sharon Eastman Joseph L. Longtin Maggie Shannon Jeanne Achille Walter & Cheryl Edgecomb, Jr. Robert Lord Keith & Ellen Shaughnessy Pamela & Peter Albertsen David W. Edsall Scott A. Lowell Edward & Priscilla Simmons Diane Anderson Carol & Jeff Ellinwood Maggie & John Lowry Lee Sligh & Tom Prescott Laura & Ed Atlee Ron & Eileen Epstein Heidi Lukas Jeffrey Small William & Mary Atwater Josephine Ewing Mary G. Lynch Debra & Douglas Smith Leonard Bachman Laurence & Bonnie Faiman Jonnie Maloney Dennis & Ellen Smith Linda Bacon Eileen Fair Bill & Michelle Mann Jeanne & Michael Smith Susan P. Bailey Jean S. Ferrari Edith K. Manns Jeff Smith Marygrace & Peter Barber Jeanne & Richard Fifield Don & Pam Mantovani Rick & Becky Southwick Barbara R. Barnes Thomas & Gail Finlay Amy March Christie & Phil Souza Garrison Beck Desmond FitzGerald Norman & Barbara Marcotte David & Diana Spahn Ewald & Susan Bender Maureen Flanagan Betty Mason Rebecca Stanley & Charles Jacobs Lorraine Bennett Richard & Cheryl Fortier Dorthy & David McAllister Christine Ann Stevens J. Scott Bernardy, DDS Carol & James Frace Karen & Dan McLean Ella L. Stevens Michael & Joanne Bernstein Kevin & Susan Frewert Paulette & Harry McNally Ed & Bobbie Stevenson Janet & Robert Bissell Brian Friedmann Bret & Sandra Meck Norman & Deborah Stiles Bill Blaine Rocco Fucetola Mr. & Mrs. Richard S. Meyer Carl & Sarah Stillwell Bourne Family John & Carol Gabranski Paul Mitnik Nancy L. Stine Dorothy A. Bowyer Susan Gammon Bill Monagle William & Sara Stockwell Lucinda Brandt & Dan Wheatley William J. Gies, II Harry & Ellen Moore Rick Sullivan Anne & Rich Bray George P. Gilbert Earl & Joanne Morse Ozzie & Donna Swett Susan F. Breau Paul Gillis Susan Motley Larry Szendrei Robert Breen Sal & Lynn Girifalco Wynn & Sandra Muller Tom Szepsy Hubene & Carlton Brodie Jim & Diane Gloriant Janet & Paul Murphy Barbara & Patrick Tedesco Warren & Bethany Bryant Edward & Alexandra Graham Gerry Nelson Marcie Teele Dianne & James Buck Katie & John Greenman Jim & Muriel Nelson Mark & Alecia Tenney Daniel E. & Mary L. Buckley Joan Gregoire Steve & Melanie Ness Dick & Jo Thibodeau Joe Bukata Royce Alan Gregory Thomas & Marcia Nigro Eben B. & Susan Thomas James Bunting & Christine Bradbury Dan & Lori Guerette Steve & Karen O'Bryan Hall Thompson Malcolm Burson & Eleanor Goldberg Phyllis & Dan Guerette Daniel J. Orino Nathaniel P. Thompson Mary Bussell Bart & Mary Ann Hague James Orino Jim & Janet Timmins Roger Cady Bob & Janet Hall Jody & Tom O'Rourke Robert & June Tracy Charlotte & John Calhoun Thomas R. & Judy A. Hamilton Maria O'Rourke Mr. & Mrs. George Tranchemontagne Laurie Callahan Sue & Clayton Harvey Philip & Chrystal Ouellette Fred Trask Amy S. Campbell Rich Haslip Judy Papian Woody & Susan Trask Michael R. Cannon Elin Haugen Michael & Deborah Parkin Mark & Kathy Tripp Tom Carabine Charlotte P. Henderson Kathy Parlee Kenneth D. Truscott, Jr. Diane Caracciolo Nadia Hermos Amne Parsons Thomas & Jeanne Tuttle Rob & Kim Caron Barb Hildreth Dave & Betty Parsons Stephen Underwood Katie Carville Roberta Hill Pamela Parvin Sue & Ted Van Leer Deborah Cayer David & Janette Hodsdon Barry A. Patrie Peter Vaux David & Sharon Clement Roberta Hodson & Herbert Korn Rodger & Patricia Patterson Gerald Vigue Patricia Clifford Ellie Hopkins Elizabeth Payne Clyde D. Walton Louis & Dorli Cloutier Richard & Jill Horr Barbara & Wally Penrod Bob & Jackie Warren Mike & Joan Cloutier Heidi & Gary Howden Ron Perrone & Diane Price Virginia Warren Jenn & Jerry Cohen Paul Hunt Dennis & Sandy Phillips Dana L. Waugh Maurice R. Collin Neil & Peggy Jensen Diane & Gary Potvin Ross & Bunny Wescott Kathleen & William Cotter Angi Johnson James & Joan Proctor Karen H. & Gary S. Westerman Richard & Catherine Cranston Rick & Louise Johnson Jeanne E. Raymond Frederick W. Weston, Jr. Rob Crosby Bambi Jones Frank Read Carl & Sookie Weymouth Jane Crosen Denise Joy & Fred Flammia William F. Reid, Jr. Lorraine White John E. Crouch & Poppy Connor-Crouch John & Joanne Kimball Susan & Edward Reinke Willis & Eleanor White Mrs. Claire E. Cullinane Brigitte & Harold Kingsbury Chris Ricardi Mike & Doreen Whitmore Cheryl Daigle Tim Kinney Linda Rice G.E. Mary Williams Wendy Dennis Warren & Barbara Kinsman Brien Richards Robert C. & Ann Williams Mary Jane Dillingham Michael & Irene Krysko Donald Richardson Scott Williams Steve & Jennifer Dionne Barry M. Kutzen, M.D. Louise & Peter Riley Bill & Susan Williamson Millie Donahue Norton Lamb Karen Robbins Bruce & Sylvia Wilson Patrick Donahue John E. Laskey Dennis Roberge Richard & Patricia Windecker Deidre & Michael Donovan Mary Lawrence Dr. Kenneth Rockwood Len & Mary Winsky Norman A. Dudziak, Jr. & Betty P. Lee Margaret Teele Rothberg Stanley Wood Damaris J. Rohsenow Peter Leslie Carol Rothenberg Gordon B. Wright Joel & Rosemarie Dulberg Marsha & Lee Letourneau Craig & JuleAnn Rule Callie Wronker Mark & Martha Dumont Ilene & Eli Leveston Nancy Winetrout Schenck Linda & Heinrich Wurm Sandra & Donald Dumont Robert & Gloria Limoges John & Claudia Scholz Stephan Zeeman Cynthia & Bob Dunlap David Littell Matt Scott 14 Thank You! In Appreciation of our Recent Generous Donors Lake & Regional Watershed Associations

Abrams Pond Association Hobbs & Fish Ponds Association Pitcher Pond Improvement Association Alamoosook Lake Association Hosmer Pond Association Pleasant Lake & Parker Pond Association Allen Pond Improvement Association Howard Pond Preservation Association Pleasant Pond Protective Association Androscoggin Lake Improvement Corp. Island Falls Lakes Association Pleasant River Lake Association Basin, David, Tilton Ponds Association Kennebunk Pond Association Portage Lake Association Berry Dexter Wilson Ponds Watershed Assoc. Association Rattlesnake Association of Brownfield Bickford Pond Association Kezar Lake Watershed Association Sabbathday Lake Association Branch Pond Association Lake Webb Association Sand-Locke Pond Association Citizens Association of Liberty Lakes Lakes Environmental Association Association Clearwater Lake Improvement Assoc. Lakeville Camp Owners Association Sebasticook Lake Association Clemons Pond Association Little Ossipee Lake Association Sebec Lake Association Cold Stream Campowners Association, Inc. Little Sebago Lake Association Sheepscot Lake Association Crawford Lake Association Little Wilson Pond Improvement Assoc. Square Pond Improvement Association Crystal Lake Association Long Pond Association Summer Haven Lakes Association Dexter Lake Association Loon Pond Betterment Association Swan Lake Association Embden Pond Association Lovejoy Pond Improvement Association Taylor Pond Association Estes Lake Association Maranacook Lake Association Thompson Lake Environmental Assoc. Five Kezars Watershed Improvement Assoc. Meddybemps Lake Association Toddy Pond Association Forest Lake Association Mousam Lake Region Association Torsey Pond Association Friends of Quimby Pond Muscongus Pond Association Valley Shores Association Friends of Wilson Lake Nickerson Lake Wilderness Preservation, Inc. Washington Lakes Watershed Association Great East Lake Improvement Association Panther Pond Association Watchic Lake Association Green & Mirror Ponds Association Parker Pond Association, Inc. West Harbor Pond Watershed Association Green Lake Association Pattee's Pond Association Wilson Lake Association Gull Pond Association Piper Pond Association

Charitable Foundations The AmazonSmile Foundation Onion Foundation CANUSA Corporation Charitable Fund Ram Island Conservation Fund of the Davis Conservation Foundation Maine Community Foundation An Environmental Trust Elmina B. Sewall Foundation Roy A. Hunt Foundation Peter W. and Delinda C. Smith Family Fund Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund of the Maine Community Foundation Nine Wicket Foundation Business & Community Supporters Al's Sports Center Senator George J. Mitchell Center Anson & Madison Water District for Sustainability Solutions Auburn Water District Norway Savings Bank Bar Harbor Bank & Trust OceanView at Falmouth Retirement Community Bath Savings Institution Old Town Canoes & Kayaks Dunkin' Donuts Port Harbor Marine at Jordan Bay Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District Portland Water District Hancock Lumber Shaker Hill Outdoors Hannaford Supermarkets Shaw's Supermarkets, Inc. Highland Green Retirement Community Water Monitoring Equipment & Supply Maine Economic Improvement Fund Wellness Connection of Maine

Major Funding Major funding for the VLMP is made possible by grants from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

In Memory Of In Kind Arthur McCubrey; And for those of you who have donated from Dale & Bruce McCubrey your time, expertise, and dedication to the work of the VLMP in the past year– many thanks!

15 The 2016 Drought, and its Effect on Maine’s Lakes by Scott Williams

eather and climate have a significant and August, going back 15-35 years. Many days, which caused Secchi disk readings to Wbearing on both short and long-term streams that normally flow throughout drop substantially. indicators of lake water quality. Over time, the year have been completely dry for The ways in which drought and other the up and down nature of weather can have months, and as of mid-October, three of climate-related influences affect lakes can be varying effects on different lakes, and can be Maine’s largest rivers were at the lowest flow divided into short and long-term effects, as a confounding factor in identifying trends conditions on record. well as recreational and ecological impacts. in lake water quality. Extreme weather National Weather Service records indicate The specific attributes of individual lakes associated with climate change isn’t making that much of southern and central Maine (bathymetry, natural flushing rate, watershed the process of trend analysis any easier! But experienced a relatively warm winter with development, existing water quality all indications are that, over time, climate below normal snowfall. This was followed conditions, and more) have a strong bearing change is likely to have an overall negative by warm late winter-early spring conditions on the nature and extent of the ways in effect on Maine’s lakes. that led to the earliest ice-out conditions on which each responds to weather and climate. We tend to think of extreme weather record for many lakes in southern and central One of the most profound ways in which in terms of intense precipitation and Maine. Ambient temperatures throughout a warming climate is likely to influence temperature swings. But drought is much of Maine were above normal from lakes is through a shortening of the considered to be an extreme weather event, July through September, which combined period of ice cover. Reliable historical “ice- and climatologists are in out” data for lakes general agreement that throughout New droughts are increasing in England (https:// frequency and severity in pubs.usgs.gov/ many regions of the world as fs/2005/3002/pdf/ a result of climate change. fs2005-3002.pdf) According to the National document that lakes Weather Service, the U.S. are free of ice earlier Geological Survey, and in the spring than Maine’s Drought Task Force, they were a century as of early October, 2016, ago. However, the drought conditions ranged Hodgins study looks from moderate to severe only at ice-out dates throughout the State of (because of abundant Maine. Factors influencing historical data), and this condition accelerated does not take into during the past several Figure 1: Smoothed lines of ice-out dates over time for the eight lakes in New England with the account the fact longest periods of record . The top four lines represent lakes in northern and western Maine and months. Precipitation was the bottom four lines represent lakes in southern Maine. Source: Hodgkins, G.A., James, I.C., and that unusually warm below average in May, June, Huntington, T.G., 2002, Historical changes in lake ice-out dates as indicators of climate change in weather during the July, August and September, New England, 1850-2000: International Journal of Climatology, v. 22, p. 1819-1827. fall/winter period has which, according to the likely resulted in later National Weather Service, was the driest with below normal precipitation, led to formation of ice cover during that period. th very dry conditions. September since 1978, and the 12 driest Maine weather was unusually warm from month on record for the southern part A number of more isolated instances of September through the end of 2015. The of the state. “The drought is expected to extreme weather also occurred during combined effect was a dramatic reduction continue and expand,” said Tom Hawley, the summer months, including highly in the period of ice cover for many Maine of the National Weather Service in Gray. localized heavy rain events, such as the lakes, especially in southern Maine. And as “September rainfall was well below average thunderstorm on June 28 that produced many who enjoy skating and fishing on ice for the entire state. Many locations in 8 inches of rain over a period of 4-6 hours will recall, the thickness of the ice was only southern Maine received less than one inch in Parlin Pond Township, according to marginally safe for recreation last winter! for the month.” Certified Lake Monitor, Dave Drouin. By the middle of March, VLMP lake According to Nicholas Stasulis, Data Such events can cause severe soil erosion and flooding, and dramatic swings in monitors (and others) started reporting Section Chief, U.S.G.S., groundwater levels ice-out conditions in southern Maine – in some areas of southern and southwestern indicators of water quality. Dave indicated that Parlin Pond turned “brown” for several up to one month earlier than the historical Maine were the lowest on record for July average for many lakes. These observations 16 winter snow melt and spring rain, stormwater runoff, and runoff is the followed by early ice-out. The effects “vehicle” that transports pollutants, of lower-than-average lake water such as the nutrient phosphorus, level vary, depending on the slope eroded soil particles (and much of the lake bottom along shoreline more) to lakes from their watersheds. areas. The photo at right, taken Figure 2 illustrates the relationship by Bill Baxter on Swan Lake in July between annual precipitation from clearly illustrates the effect of low January through July, and lake water level in lakeshore areas where water clarity (Secchi transparency) the bottom is relatively shallow. The for several hundred Maine lakes impact of drought upon recreation from 2001-2014. The chart is evident in this photo. suggests that many (but not all) During the course of the summer, lake in metaphyton may be linked to changing lakes tend to be clearer during monitors and lake shoreline communities conditions associated with climate change. dry years, and less clear during years of reported concerns over what many referred Drought, and associated prolonged low lake greater precipitation during the period to as “more green cotton-candy algae water level can result in the exposure of large from January through July. (metaphyton) than they had observed in littoral areas that support native aquatic Last summer, many certified lake the past.” Public awareness, and concern plants (aka: macrophytes) to drying and monitors reported unusually deep Secchi over metaphyton during the past decade freezing conditions, threatening the health readings for their lakes. Volunteer lake suggests that there has been an overall of many beneficial ecosystem functions data are still coming in, and it will be increase in the abundance of this type supported by native of littoral algae in Maine lakes. Nearly lake plants. Rooted all of the information on metaphyton lake plants physically abundance in Maine lakes is anecdotal/ stabilize lake-bottom observational. However, when many sediments, reducing individuals representing numerous bodies turbidity from wind of water report similar observations, it and wave action. is not unreasonable to assume that they They also tie-up accurately reflect the occurrence of a nutrients that could phenomenon such as this one. otherwise be available The ecology of metaphyton in lakes is to less desirable not well understood. Based once again on cyanobacteria (aka qualitative observation, there appears to be blue-green algae). a relationship between the annual/seasonal Lake plants also abundance of metaphyton in lakes, and early protect shoreline ice-out, which generally results in earlier areas from the erosive sunlight and warming of littoral (shallow) effects of wind and wave action, and they several weeks before we know how the areas. If that relationship does exist, the provide structural habitat and food for 2016 data compare to previous years. early melting of lake ice in March could be fish and aquatic insects. Extended periods However, given the intensity of the related to widespread greater abundance of low lake water level can cause negative drought prior to and throughout the in metaphyton last summer. An increase short and long-term effects for beneficial summer, it is likely that a relatively high lake plants. percentage of Maine lakes will be shown Low lake levels caused by to have been clearer than their historical drought can also “de-water” average during the past several months. wetlands adjacent to lakes, Algal growth in this group of lakes is impacting the many benefits most strongly influenced by external that they provide to healthy (watershed) sources of phosphorus. They lake ecosystems. are typically lakes that have relatively low concentrations of phosphorus, and are The effects of drought on therefore easily influenced by incoming lake water quality vary sources from the watershed. over time, and from one lake to the next. In the However, Figure 2 also shows that while short-term, many lakes may a majority of lakes are generally clearer become clearer, because lack during dry years, some are not. Lack of precipitation is often associated with “Clouds” of metaphyton in a shallow cove . of precipitation means less ...continued on page 26 17 2016 Lake Monitoring Conference

The 2016 VLMP Lake Monitoring Conference was a great success! With attendance topping out at nearly 130, we once again filled the hall to near capacity. With its charming camp-style meeting hall, well-appointed kitchen, and ready access to the Pleasant Pond waterfront, The Great Outdoors has become a preferred venue for these annual VLMP events .

Kudos to 15-Year Lake Monitors Mary Jane Steve Mortimer, the VLMP's Receiving their awards for Dillingham (L), Adrienne Rollo (R), and accepting Lea Stabinski was thrilled to new Development Director, 10 Years of Service are Lea the award on behalf of Jack Holland is fellow learn she was the the Invasive spoke to the group on the Stabinski (L), Ken Stabinski (C), monitor David Hodsdon (C) . Plant Patroller of the Year! importance of protecting our and Ellie White (R) . natural resources .

Field Peterson, Auburn Water Congratulations go to District's summer intern, shared Long-time lake monitors Keith Wilson Lake monitor, 2016 plant management practices Williams (L) and Steve O'Bryan Angi Johnson showed off her "Tattoed Mary Ryan, for 30 for the Watershed received their service awards for 25 Snail" crafts using Chinese Mystery Snails. years of hard work! Protection Commission. years of dedication!

Many thanks to the hard-working "kitchen crew" Many thanks to Old Town Canoes & this year! Pictured are Emily McAlpine (L), VLMP Kayaks and our other generous sponsors Scott Williams presented findings on the Lake Vulnerability board member Sibyl French (C), and former VLMP for such wonderful prizes! Index Study . board member Phoebe Hardesty (R) .

18 2016 Lake Monitoring Conference

Charlie Turner (R) is Congratulations go to congratulated for 40 Years Dennis Roberge received special Willis White, Kennebago Steve Underwood, VLMP's official of Service on his beloved recognition for surveying 40 lakes during Lake monitor, for winning videographer and creator of Pakpod, Raymond and Panther Ponds . the 2016 season! the much-coveted kayak! is captured on this side of the lens! Way to go, Charlie!

Lake Monitor Rob Crosby provided information on Invasive Plant Patrol Team of the Year goes to the Sonja Behmel of the Université how to build PVC tubes for monofilament fishing line Tacoma Lakes IPP Team! Pictured (L-R) are certified Laval, Québec shared her case-study recycling . Please see back cover for information on Invasive Plant Patrollers Buffy DeMatteis, Diane Clay findings on Integrative Watershed how to participate in his survey. and Millie Donahue . Management .

Maggie Shannon (R) of the Maine Maine DEP Lakes Program's Linda Bacon Lakes Society discusses the LakeSmart 5-Year Service Award recipients are (L-R) Sandy Muller, Wynn discusses cyanotoxins and the health risks Program with Whitney Pond lake Muller, Roger Cady, Bill Cotter and Brian Friedmann. they pose to Maine lakes . monitor, Sylvia Wilson (L) .

Conference attendees were riveted and inspired by The Cool Little Culvert video, contributed by The VLMP staff garnered a round of applause for monitors Phine Ewing, Noreen Blaiklock, and Karen Remembering and Honoring our Friend and a job well done! Robbins . Well done, everyone! Colleague, Adam Perron .

19 2016 VLMP Interns This past spring, This summer, the the VLMP was VLMP learned fortunate to have of an opportunity two interns from to acquire a Fall : intern through the Belle Hutchins USM Canis Major and Matt Marcus. Internships Program Matt and Belle (MEIF Funded). spent several weeks We applied and working closely were successful in Katia Westcott with VLMP staff acquiring the services Belle Hutchins and Matt Marcus during the Bates of an intern, primarily to help us with our data entry. The College short-term. They assisted with the many diverse help we will receive will have a significant positive impact on tasks involved in “gearing-up” for the oncoming summer our lake data entry process. workshop season, including everything from preparing Katia Westcott is a senior at the University of Southern workshop packets to constructing “bucket scopes” for Maine, majoring in Environmental Planning & Policy. VLMP Invasive Plant Patrollers. It was a pleasure to She's doing a work study with Professor Karen Wilson, work with them, and we wish them well in all their dissecting alewives for on-going research. She is the mother future endeavors! of an 8-year-old son, and enjoys outdoor activities including hiking and camping, and is an artist on the side.

graduated from McGill University this invaders– and consequently, I was reminded Ipast spring with an honors degree in of how lucky I have been to participate in International Development Studies. I took an an internship which has aligned with my interdisciplinary approach to my education; academic interests. I focused my studies on economics and My internship with the VLMP has also environmental development, honing in provided me with some wonderful and life- on the intersection between our economic changing skills. I developed plant identifying systems and our ecological landscapes. My abilities that continue to surprise me, gained educational journey takes me to law school in public speaking experience, and most the fall at the University of New Brunswick importantly, I continued to learn how to Colleen Thrasher where I hope to learn about humanitarian participate in and actively contribute to a and ecological legal avenues. team – the VLMP is a team of hardworking staff members This summer I had the unique pleasure of interning with the and volunteers whose dedicated efforts allow the VLMP to Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program where I saw so many thrive. I was privileged to play a supportive role in the healthy of my academic interests come to life within the workplace. functioning of this admirable organization, and I give my For instance, while presenting the introductory invasive plant sincerest thanks to all those incredible volunteers and staff slideshow at our IPP 101 workshops, I was reminded of the members who continue to strive to protect Maine lakes, one grave environmental and economic consequences of aquatic day at a time!

his fall I will be returning to hope in the future to possibly continue doing work to help in TClark University to start my the prevention and control of invasive species. I am filled with junior year.Although I am excited gratitude and appreciation for having had the opportunity to to return, I have begun to feel as be a part of the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. though I will miss it here; the clear I have not until now had the incredible chance to work for night skies, fresh air and the still such a passionate and devoted organization that has a team of tranquility of Maine brings about dedicated, hardworking and incredible people. Being a part of feelings that nowhere else could. As the VLMP this summer has been great experience that I am I return to Clark I will resume my truly grateful for having been a part of. Spencer Harriman studies in geography and biology. I 20 The VLMP Model Continues to Spread Around the Globe ¡Holá Bolivia! by Roberta Hill Mowing Lakes?? aine’s Volunteer Lake the transformation of deeply-rooted In his Bolivian home city of Cochabamba, MMonitoring Program, the social conflict, with a historical Adam is experiencing the effects of water oldest and one of the largest focus on environmental issues.) scarcity firsthand. According to Adam, citizen lake monitoring Adam, a US and Bolivian water in his apartment is rationed at programs in the nation, has citizen with a keen interest between four and six hours a days, water by Steve Mortimer long been on the forefront in water resource issues, was fees are increasing rapidly, and “political VLMP Development Director of citizen lake science. Over introduced to the VLMP by unrest akin to that depicted in the award the nearly five decades the VLMP of one of our certified monitors. winning 2010 film, Even the Rain, is on has been in operation, our winning As Adam learned about the VLMP, the rise.” y wife Alice and I had long wanted to live on a lake, but strategy for protecting water resources (exploring our website, and eventually in New Jersey, water clarity is often measured in inches, M through direct citizen engagement has attending three different VLMP trainings), not meters. In fact, some lakes are “mowed” in order to allow been adopted by governments, non- a grand idea began to form. swimming and kayaking. No kidding!! governmental organizations (NGO’s), As in many places of the world where the Imagine our delight ten years ago when we saw the pristine waters and other lake-oriented groups across the impacts of a changing climate, unchecked of Upper Range Pond while on a visit. Our decision to move US. We have been pleased and honored resource extraction, and long-term to Maine was an instant and easy one, and we’ve congratulated to share ‘lessons learned’ and resources drought are already in stark evidence, the ourselves for it ever since! www.ausenviro.com.au to help to ensure the success of these, people of Bolivia are facing unprecedented I enjoyed meeting many of you this summer at the workshops. It’s our sister lake monitoring programs. environmental challenges. Formidable can expand our protection of Maine lakes to thousands more in inspiring to see you pursuing your passion for Maine’s lakes. And More recently, called upon to help our among these challenges, are the issues the coming years. We must. your stories about protecting our lakes, in many cases for decades? counterparts in three Canadian provinces, pertaining to water. One of the most Forced off of their land by the Incas hundreds of Remarkable and moving. Finally, as many of you know, the necessity to monitor never the VLMP model of effectiveness and troubling of these was recently featured efficiency went international. As a result, years ago, the region’s indigenous Uro-Murato Also scary, when I consider what would happen if VLMP didn’t ends. Constant vigilance is critical. I hope that you also know that on the front cover of the New York Times people use the totora reed—once plentiful along many key VLMP resources (protocols, the edges of area lakes—to build the floating exist. Invasive aquatic plant infestations cause habitat disruption, you, by far, play the most vital role in this effort. In addition to World section: in 2015, Lake Poopó, training and reference materials, etc.) have islands upon which they live, as well as Kon-Tiki- loss of native plant and animal communities, reduced property monitoring, you play a key role in funding the tools, materials, Bolivia’s second largest lake, and vital like fishing boats (pictured here), and more. Since training, and technical support needed to keep our mission viable. now been translated to French! fishing resource for local communities, the die-off of Lake Poopó's fish in 2014, the Uro- values, impaired fishing, degradation of recreational experiences, Murato have largely lost their way of life, cultural and enormous, ongoing control costs. Scary indeed. Thank you Thank you so very much for all that you do. I look forward to This summer, our international scope essentially dried up. Disappearance of heritage, and economic stability. for doing all that you can to ensure VLMP’s sustainability! working with you to ensure that our beautiful lakes and ponds are began its migration to the south when this relatively shallow but vast waterbody we had the good fortune to meet Adam (formerly spanning an area of roughly And this is where—in Adam’s vision—the Thanks to the generosity of people like you, VLMP volunteers are here for our children and grandchildren! Zemans, Director of the Climate Change 1,200 square miles) is largely blamed on VLMP model comes in. As local water protecting nearly 500 of Maine’s 6,000 lakes. That’s a lot, but we PS: Please write me when you have a minute and tell me your and Human Security Program at the recurrent drought, and the diversion of resources in some parts of the county can and must do more. I have every confidence that, together, we favorite VLMP-related story: [email protected]. Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy. the lake’s water sources for mining and become scarcer, the need to protect the (IMTD is an international organization agriculture. Water scarcity on such a scale water quality of these resources becomes whose mission is to promote a systems-based is not only alarming; it is environmentally, ever more critical, and the need to Welcome New VLMP Advisory Board Member: Roy Bouchard approach to peacebuilding and to facilitate economically, and socially calamitous. safeguard the dwindling water supply in Bolivia has never been more acute. Local oy retired in 2012 from the Maine Department of Environmental September April January and national governments can, and must, 1991 2013 2016 RProtection after nearly three decades of working on freshwater play a role in such an endeavor. However, protection, most of which has been involved with assessment and as Adam learned from his experience protection of Maine’s lakes. As Biologist III, Roy oversaw the Lake with us here in Maine this summer, one Assessment Program at DEP for a number of years, which also included of the most highly effective models for the Invasive Species Program for aquatic plants. While the Lakes protecting water resources over time is Program focused on promoting volunteer action, especially water quality one in which grassroots stakeholders also monitoring, it also had an emphasis on habitat protection, applied play an active and meaningful role in the research in collaboration with several colleges, and such diverse topics as monitoring and care of those resources. the economics of lakes, watershed protection and shoreline evaluation. The VLMP has been helping to protect lakes After acquiring an MS in Water Resources Management from the through widespread citizen participation University of Wisconsin-Madison, Roy moved to Belgrade with his in the gathering and dissemination of wife Susan, where they lived for the last thirty years. Major pastimes credible scientific information pertaining include travel, camping, hiking and winter trekking, kayaking, and to lake health since 1971. Adam became intrigued by the idea that well-trained canoeing along with continued involvement in the Belgrade Regional Lake Poopó—once Bolivia’s second-largest lake and an important fishing resource for local communities—has Conservation Alliance. essentially dried up. News reports blame recurrent drought and the diversion of the lake’s water sources for and properly supported citizen lake mining and agriculture. Photos courtesy of NASA's Earth Observatory. ...continued on page 25 8 21 Encouraging Environmental Stewardship for the Future

he mission of by Bruce Wilson TVLMP is to “help Whitney Pond Lake Monitor protect Maine lakes through widespread citizen participation in the gathering and dissemination of credible scientific information pertaining to lake health.” To paraphrase, we use data to insure that our treasured lakes will still be as pristine when our grandchildren’s children come for summer visits. My lake water clarity tools – a Secchi disk and water viewscope – sit prominently in a corner of our camp porch. Each summer when our grandchildren come for a visit they ask questions about those curious looking implements. This year the two oldest wanted to see them in action. So on one of my measurement trips, my son Nick, his 6-year-old son Brayden, and his cousin, Bruce Wilson (L) shows his grandchildren Brayden Doss and Ella Wilson the finer Ella (also 6), joined me in a canoe paddle to the deepest part points of taking a Secchi disk reading, along with his son Nick (R) . of the lake. On the way we talked about the importance of regularly collecting information about the health of the lake, the know my measurement I had each of them use the scope to see need to sample data from the same spot each time, and trying to what their readings were. Their first attempts didn’t come close take readings at similar times in the day throughout the season. to my reading, but with some additional coaching about how to Arriving at the spot, they helped me anchor the canoe and eagerly look for even a fuzzy image of the disk, they quickly got the hand watched as I showed them the 5-foot marks on the anchor rope. of it and each produced a reading within 25-30 cm of mine. They quickly calculated the depth of the lake. Ella and Brayden were abuzz with excitement when they came Next I began to drop the Secchi disk with its metric tape and they back to the camp and told their parents about their adventure, peered over the edge as the Secchi disk slowly descended into the talking about how they helped “make science and how we need to depths of the pond. I explained how I could see the disk more keep the water in the lake clean.” Our wish, as their grandparents, clearly if I used my scope and then tested that idea by first having is that one day they will bring their children and grandchildren to them note how deep it was when the Secchi disk disappeared our pond and have the same clear water to enjoy and perhaps even from bare eyesight. I took my reading and without letting them carry on the family tradition of testing for water clarity.

Seeking Candidates for the VLMP Board of Directors he VLMP is seeking to fill several positions on our Board of Maine. Meetings typically take place on a weekday morning, and TDirectors. Ideal candidates will have some experience with may last until early afternoon. Committee meetings often are nonprofit organizations; a basic understanding scheduled for the same day. Members of the Board of the work of the VLMP, and share our belief of Directors agree to be active in at least one in the importance of the VLMP’s mission. subcommittee. We are particularly interested in bringing Please contact VLMP Executive Director, on new board members who have Scott Williams, if you are interested in a position knowledge and experience in the areas on the VLMP Board, or if you have questions. of marketing, fundraising and program Following an initial discussion, candidates will be development. These are volunteer positions. screened and interviewed by the Board of Directors, The VLMP Board of Directors meets 4-6 times who will act upon all applications. annually at the VLMP Lakes Center in Auburn, Image from www.gias.org Save the Date! 2017 VLMP Annual Lake Monitoring Conference Will Be Held On Saturday, July 29th 22 ~Tips for Forming... continued from page 11 their meetings and ask if you can attend. Department of Environmental Protection, members will be there to help them every Show your community what can be done, from fellow IPP leaders, from your team- step of the way as well. Paddling around the and how other volunteers are doing it by members, and from members of your most biologically rich parts of the lake on a inviting experienced IPP leaders to do a community—many of whom you will get sunny summer day, looking for something presentation at a local community event to know through this process. And best of you hope never to find is fun, edifying, or lake association meeting. The VLMP all, you will find that the work—though and—if enough people participate—not in can provide you with a list of IPP Leader at times challenging—is interesting, the least onerous. It’s more like recreation, contacts. Better yet, attend the next IPP uplifting, often great fun, and enormously but with a purpose! As one who has been a Leaders’ Roundtable (generally held in satisfying on many levels. salesman much of my professional life, I can early spring) and meet lots of great people If our lakes are to fend off the threat of tell you with confidence that this is a pretty who are successfully accomplishing all that aquatic invaders, they need all of the help easy sell. Many people do not just step up you may aspire to. For more information they can get. So please join us in this worthy to help unless they are asked. So ask! on the VLMP roundtable event, please endeavor! Perhaps I’ll see you at the next contact the VLMP. 4. Tap into the experience of successful IPP Leaders Roundtable. Until then, best IPP Team Leaders – All of the IPP leaders 5. Be consistent, committed, and share of luck!! I have met have been more than happy your enthusiasm! Once you get going, If you would like to contact Mike, please go to share their knowledge and experience. you will discover resources to support to, www.sabbathdaylakeassoc.org and Give one or more of them a call and your efforts may be found everywhere you click ‘contact,’ enter your information, and ask questions. Find out when they have look: from the VLMP, from the Maine he will be happy to respond. Maine’s Latest Early Detection ~ European naiad (Najas minor) in Spaulding Pond, Lebanon By Laurie Callahan, York County was an easy paddle up to the north end, somewhat relieved that it appeared the Invasive Aquatic Species Project where the Salmon Falls River and Great growth in this area was limited to two (YCIASP), Founder & Coordinator Brook enter the pond. Having surveyed very small patches. I carefully collected irst a bit of background. Spaulding the pond in the past, I know this area specimens, noted the lat/long coordinates FPond is a fairly small impoundment of the pond has abundant aquatic plant for the infested sites, and headed back into (slightly over 100 acres in size) along the growth. A number of different aquatic Spaulding Pond to return to the launch. On main stem of the Salmon Falls River, plant species intermingle here, including the edge of a stand of pickerel weed, along the waterway that defines part of the variable water-milfoil. the northwest (New Hampshire) shore, I ME/NH border in York County. Maine’s noticed another, larger patch of N. minor most prevalent invasive aquatic plant, (approximately 100 square feet). Again, a variable water-milfoil (Myriophyllum sample was carefully collected, coordinates heterophyllum), has been known to occur recorded and a buoy marker placed at the in Spaulding Pond since 2008. Variable location. water-milfoil has also been documented Two weeks later, with the species at several locations along the Salmon Falls identification confirmed, a survey team River below Spaulding Pond, all the way led by Maine DEP staff and comprised of down to South Berwick. Last year, another experienced surveyors—all with extensive aquatic invader, European naiad (Najas recent exposure to N. minor in Milton Author, Laurie Callahan, surveys Spaulding Pond in minor) was found just upstream, in the search of European naiad (Najas minor). Laurie’s Three Ponds—gathered to conduct a more Milton Three Ponds system in Lebanon, early detection, followed by a swift response by thorough (Level 3) survey of Spaulding a situation which begged the question: the DEP, has greatly enhanced the probability that Pond. In addition to myself, the team this invader will not become well-established in was N. minor also present downstream, the pond . included Karen Hahnel and Denise in Spaulding Pond? Answering this Blanchette (DEP), Dennis Roberge question by conducting a survey was one I continued up the Salmon Falls River, and (VLMP IPP & YCIASP volunteer), and of YCIASP’s goals for 2016. had paddled upstream about ¼ mile when, Missy Brandt (York County Soil & Water Members of the York County Collaborative to my dismay, I spotted what I was quite Conservation District). The weather was IPP team were invited to join me to survey sure was European naiad. (This plant is once again perfect, and we completed the on September 22, but in the end were somewhat tricky to distinguish from our survey in a few hours, finding just four not able to due to other commitments. native naiads, but after my experience additional infested locations (each a single So, on that morning, with survey gear becoming familiar with the species in plant only), and all occurring on the NH on board, I launched my kayak onto the Connecticut River since 2004, and at side of the pond. Our findings suggest that Spaulding Pond. The conditions were Milton Three Ponds since last September, the N. minor infestation was found within perfect—sunny, warm and calm—and it I have learned to readily recognize it.) two or three years of its initial Though I was troubled by my find, I was ...continued on page 25 23 Joe Emerson was a VLMP lake Passings water quality monitor for 40 years, and worked closely with the David Brainard grew up in Cobbossee Watershed District on Westbrook, and graduated from Narrows Pond in Winthrop. Northeastern University with a Joe was committed, reliable and B.S. in Physics. He later married always very humble about his Edith Everts and they had a son, long-term achievement. Very few David Jr. After having worked individuals have reached such a for the Navy as a sonar analyst, he historic milestone in the history started a successful contracting and of monitoring the health of masonry company in Connecticut. Maine’s lakes. Joe Emerson In 1999, he and his wife moved David Brainard to Twitchell Pond, in Greenwood. Barbara J. Kittredge graduated from David joined the VLMP in 2002, and was a lake monitor Bates College in 1978 with a BS in for over a decade. He and his wife enjoyed traveling, sailing, Physics. She worked for AT&T in and being surrounded by family and friends. NJ for 25 years, and accumulated 20 patents with the company. BJ Charlie Chapman passed away and her husband, Paul Faustine, at age 77, survived by his wife, moved back to Maine in 2002, and JoAnn, their children, and a large in 2005 she joined extended family. He was extremely as Principal Engineer, and worked on the new Zumwalt­-class DDG­1000. active in many organizations and BJ Kittredge associations, including radio, In 2013, BJ and Paul moved to Echo civic, sports and alumni groups, Lake in Mount Vernon, where she became the water quality and was also a ham radio operator. monitor for the VLMP. He enjoyed sports, coached youth baseball teams, and was a big fan Bob Lord was a VLMP water Charles Chapman of the Boston Red Sox. Charlie quality monitor on Damarsicotta was the water quality monitor on Lake for several years. Always his beloved Raymond Pond for nearly 20 years, and will be reliable, and a stickler for details missed by family, friends, and his community. and accuracy, he was personable and eager to understand how his Don Collins dedicated his life to his work benefited the lake that he family and friends, and to making the and his family had enjoyed time community a better place for all. He together on for many years. grew up in Rumford, graduated from He delighted in bird watching, Dixfield High School, and received studying nature, and sailing on Bob Lord a degree in Agriculture Resource Damariscotta Lake. He was also an active volunteer with the Economics from the University of Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association. Maine in 1973. He was employed by the United States Department Heather Walton was born and lived of Agriculture, and later became in NJ, until she and her husband the Resource Conservation District Don Collins William moved to northeastern coordinator for Aroostook County, Maine in 2006. Before moving to until his retirement in 2009. Don joined the VLMP in Maine, she was a registered nurse, 2015, and was the water quality monitor for Nickerson and later joined the advertising staff Lake in New Limerick. of the Asbury Park Press. In 2007, Heather Walton she became the VLMP water quality We care deeply about Maine's volunteer lake monitors. monitor on East Grand Lake in If you would like to share news of a monitor's passing, Weston. In 2011, she took up painting with acrylics and please contact us. was an accomplished landscape painter.

24 ~The VLMP Model... continued from page 21 Adam identified two key regions as most unexpected, ideas scientists can not only gather the essential urgently in need—the drought stricken have emerged from information needed to understand and area surrounding Cochabamba, and the these talks as well. protect lakes, but also—often quite catchment of Bolivia’s largest lake, Lake One particularly naturally in the process of learning how to Titicaca. Working with VLMP staff, exciting prospect gather this vital data—become increasingly Adam translated materials gleaned from envisions a citizen active and knowledgeable stewards and his recent VLMP training experience led (VLMP-type) key leaders in their lake communities, into Spanish, and set about putting his program serving as providing incalculable additional benefit. provocative questions to the test. The stepping stone to And he started wondering, “Can a Maine first step, taken this September, was to achieving broader give his VLMP-based Water Quality “climate change Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program-like Adam Zemans presents initiative work in Bolivia? If so, what Monitor training talk in Cochabamba to resilience” goals in his VLMP-based Water would it look like?” interested undergraduate environmental the Bolivia. Quality Monitor training engineering and philosophy students at talk to his philosophy Though at this and environmental Universidad Catolica. At the conclusion early stage it is engineering students at of the talk, ALL in attendance expressed Universidad Catolica, hard to say just Cochabamba, Bolivia . their eagerness to learn more, and their where Adam’s desire to become Bolivia’s very first ‘citizen initiative will lead; what we do know, is that lake scientists.’ Next, Adam began to movement in the direction of change in the meet with local government and NGO Lake Titicaca region is now well underway, officials, leading Lake Titicaca scientists, and we stand by to help our youngest community leaders and others. To his ‘sister’ program in any way we can! To our delight, he found widespread support for new VLMP amigos in Bolivia . . . ¡la mejor both “increasing grassroots participation de las suertes! To all of our Maine-based Adam Zemans (L) and the co-proprietor of the in these regions as a means to help ensure Palla Khasa Ecologial Hotel, on Island of the Sun, VLMP friends, please stay tuned: there Lake Titicaca. Palla Khasa is one of several lakeside future of Bolivia’s water supply, and for just may be an opportunity for all of us to eco-lodges that are interested in participating in moving forward with the development of Bolivia’s new citizen lake science initiative. participate in this promising and exciting VLMP-type program in some form.” New, new international exchange! All photos are courtesy of the Institute for Multi- Want to learn more? Please check out these links: Track Diplomacy, unless otherwise indicated. • Institute of Multi-Track Diplomacy (IMTD): http://imtd.org/ • IMTD's Climate Change & Human Security Program (CCHS), where Adam Zemans serves as Latin America Director and CCHS Team Leader: http://imtd.org/programs/173-climate-change-human-security-program • New York Times August 2016 Article “Climate Change Claims a Lake and an Identity”: http://nyti.ms/29oTHCg

~Maine's Latest Early..., continued from page 23 Spaulding Pond. And of course, in 2017 to focus on Spaulding Pond, or that region introduction into Spaulding Pond. Several Spaulding Pond will be surveyed again of the Salmon Falls River watershed. days later, DEP staff and divers returned and any N. minor found will be removed. I feel fortunate that this N. minor to Spaulding Pond to carefully remove the In spite of the well-established variable occurrence was found early, before it invasive plants by hand. milfoil population, the pond will need to had become widespread in the pond. be closely monitored for years to come, Discussions will be ongoing over the winter This experience, and my involvement in not only for European naiad, an annual and spring to determine next steps with YCIASP and VLMP’s IPP program since plant that produces many seeds during regard to Maine’s newest infestation. One 2004, makes me more appreciative than the growing season, but for other aquatic goal for next year will be conducting an ever of the work of the VLMP, and for all invaders as well. A 2017 goal for YCIASP IAP survey of the river segment between who are keeping an eye on the health of will be to assist with building an IPP team Milton Three Ponds outlet dam and Maine Lakes! WANTED: Reminder to all VLMP Lake Monitors: Volunteer Water Quality Regional & Data Coordinators Help ensure the Help with activities such as scheduling re-certification workshops, 2016 Maine Lakes Report communicating with volunteers, and lake data entry. For more will be complete by sending in information, please contact us at [email protected] or 207-783-7733. any late data today! 25 ~The 2016 Drought... continued from page 17 warm air and water temperatures. And early ice-loss, higher lake water temperatures, and lower water levels can result in an increase in the duration of the period of thermal stratification. This can result in lower summer dissolved oxygen levels in the deepest thermal layer of lakes, which in turn can trigger the release of phosphorus from bottom sediments in some lakes, leading to a phenomenon known as “internal phosphorus recycling.” Lakes that have existing moderate concentrations of phosphorus, and resulting low Secchi readings, due to the internal release of phosphorus may be less clear during dry years, because even though stormwater runoff from the watersheds of this group of lakes contains phosphorus, the concentration is lower than what Illustration Source: Drought impacts on the water quality of freshwater systems; review and integration; 2015; Luke M . Mosley; Water Quality Science, PO Box 310, Belair, SA 5052, Australia . already exists in the lake, and flushing from stormwater runoff tends to lower likely to occur from warming in general, Roberta Hill’s article on page 21 looks at the the in-lake concentration through dilution. and may or may not be associated with effects of drought associated with climate Another negative influence of the lack of drought or excess runoff. change on a lake in South America, and precipitation is reduced natural flushing, In his President’s Message column, Bill leaves speculating on whether or not such a resulting in an increase water residence time Monagle addresses some of the management scenario could occur here in the future. and greater evaporation which can concentrate implications for lakes, based on what we Water quality summary data for more than any existing pollutants in all lakes. are learning from severe weather events. 450 lakes monitored by VLMP citizen lake Moderate phosphorus levels and warmer Drought offers us a vision of possible clearer scientists last summer will be available in water temperatures associated with lakes, if we are able to effectively protect early 2017, and will be published in the drought can also facilitate a shift in the them from watershed pollutants– especially VLMP Maine Lakes Report. balance of algae in lake water toward phosphorus and sediment. But the effects The above sketch is a conceptual cyanobacteria (aka bluegreen algae), which of prolonged drought on wetlands and representation that summarizes common may be associated with the release of toxins. beneficial native plant communities is less processes that influence water quality “Harmful algal blooms” (HAB’s) are more certain, and remains to be seen. during drought.

Remember to Document Your Lake's Ice Cover The winter season is upon us, so data, may improve our understanding please be sure to document your of the relationship between the lake's ice cover . The VLMP acts as a duration of ice cover and water state repository for ice-in and ice-out quality . You can report ice-in/out records, some stretching as far back as dates via e-mail directly to Christine@ the mid-1800's . Your lake's ice cover mainevlmp org,. or you can report by data, when paired with water quality phone at 207-783-7733 .

Save the Date! 2017 VLMP Annual Lake Monitoring Conference Will Be Held On Saturday, July 29th

26 27 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lewiston, ME Permit # 82 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 . MONOFILAMENTMONOFILAMENT FISHINGFISHING LINELINE ANDAND WILDLIFEWILDLIFE Something Can as Simple Prevent as This: This:

Please help in our efforts to complete a statewide survey of monofilament fishing line recycling efforts along the ponds, lakes, rivers and streams of Maine (such as the PVC tube, shown above). You may respond by sending this completed form in the mail to the VLMP at 24 Maple Hill Road, Auburn, ME, 04210, or online at www.mainevlmp.org/monosurvey/. Thank you for your participation!

Your Name: ______Body of Water / Town: ______Your E-mail Address: ______Your phone number ( ____ ) ______- ______Are recycling tubes in use? No Yes Unsure Where are they located? ______

To learn more about this important issue, or how you can build your own recycling tube, please contact Volunteer Lake Monitor Rob Crosby at [email protected]. Results will be published online, and in a future issue of this newsletter.

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