6892-R3_ML&P_LSLA_2019_WinterNewsletter

What’s Happening Around Our Lake? Surface, Sub-Surface, Shoreline and Beyond - Assembled by Pam Wilkinson

of a process to report, document and develop methods to slow down nutrients entering our lake. WE all can be the answer to slowing down all that is affecting our water quality. This is an education factor and not a fear factor. We have only to look at East Pond in Oakland Maine, the size of Little Sebago, who spent over one million dollars for an alum treatment to prevent current and future algae blooms. The lake flipped in a very short period of time. We just don’t want to go there. If what we are seeing in our water now is a precursor to future lake determent, then the time is now to LOOK AT YOUR LOT, decide what you can do to prevent nutrients from entering the lake and become involved with a fun program of ADOPTING YOUR SHORELINE to keep our lake from threats that can be costly. We encourage this be a family learning process for all who benefit from the lake. Please contact pwilkinson@ littelesebaolake.com to become involved. Lake Vocabulary words to become familiar with: Metaphyton is a term used to collectively characterize filamentous (stringy) algae that grow predominantly in shallow (littoral) areas in lakes and ponds. While unpleasant, it is generally not associated with health risks. Lake Stewards of Maine link provided will give you more information.

It was a sunny day hosting DEP John McPhedran and Denise Blanchette. As we visited Ridgewood Island, a place he summered as a child, he looked down and said “you have Gloeotrichia”. It was like glitter in the water. I remembered a conversation from the year before, when Lee Attix visited our lake for loon watch, that he too said he saw it around Rock Island. So it is another concern we need to be aware of. We have been monitoring the metaphyton green clouds in the lake, pesto type algae on the shorelines and now we need to be more aware of what is really happening in our lake. I urge you to become involved and become part of our ADOPT A SHORELINE program we will begin in the spring. Winter is a perfect time to learn more so we can be prepared when the waters warm. We will provide a training in the spring for all lake residents to become part

Green cloud like formations suspended

Green pesto type formations on the bottom

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