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President’s Message 2022

Little Sebago Lake Watershed – Why Care? By Pam Wilkinson

As a property owner on the lake, you probably know the size of your lot. Another way to measure your property is to add 2,009 acres to it, the size of the lake! The water beyond your shoreline is yours to enjoy spring, summer, fall and winter. Yes, we all pay higher taxes for living on the lake but where else would you want to be? Everyone wants to be where we live. As I look out at the darkening ice, I am reminded of all the people who just a few weeks ago were enjoying ice fishing, snowmobiling, riding their ATVs or just sitting in a lawn chair on the frozen lake basking in the sun. Eagles enjoyed the fruits of discarded fish and children learned how fun it is to be outside in the winter. Spring arrived with the anticipation of the official “ice out” date and April showers filled nearby wetlands and streams which adds fresh water to our lake. It’s time to prep to get the dock and boat in the water because before you know it, summer will be here. It’s important to know the mechanics of making sure our waters are clean. Watersheds and shorelines slow down and filter rain runoff. Trees and vegetation absorb runoff capturing nutrients that would otherwise exacerbate unwanted plant growth and upset the natural cycle. Water quality needs to be preserved and protected and we have provided articles within this newsletter with advice on how each property owner can do just that. The LSLA board is comprised of 15 directors, along with various committee members and a slew of volunteers that take part in the protection of the lake. It is important that you, too, help by maintaining natural shorelines to avoid negative impacts to the lake. This summer, think about how you can make small improvements each year to make a difference. Generations to come will benefit

from the efforts you make now. Are you aware that there is a dam, called the Hopkins Dam, located at the end of the lake in Windham that holds and releases our water? LSLA’s major project over the winter months was to make substantial improvements to the dam to ensure its integrity and improve functionality and safety for our dedicated dam crew. You will find an article inside with more details about the dam and upgrades that were made. A bountiful amount of thanks goes out to all those who volunteer their valuable time and care about upholding our mission and keeping you safe. Little Sebago Lake would not be in the condition it is without you. We welcome more people to help with projects- there is plenty to do. May all your experiences on the lake create wonderful, indelible memories for you and your family. Have a wonderful Summer! On behalf of the Little Sebago Lake Association Board of Directors,

Think of the watershed as a bowl that is not perfectly round. If you pour water at the top of the rim, where does it go? Watersheds work in the same way. When it rains water uphill from the lake starts its journey downhill carrying sediment and phosphorus with it. Phosphorus is what makes native and invasive plants grow out of control. If nothing stops it the velocity of water intensifies, and the water is not filtered into the soil. What works best is canopy of trees, shrubs and bushes to slow down the droplets that can create rivets. What works best is the natural under duff that slows down and allows the water to be absorbed into the ground prior to entering the lake. What works best is a vegetated shoreline that also slows, filters and absorbs the nutrients carried by the water to the bottom of the bowl. It is best to capture and divert the eroded soil particles prior to entering the lake to avoid the bottom of the lake to fill, the water depth to decrease which will allow the sun to warm the waters quicker creating a chain of negative environmental impacts to the life cycle of the lake. How to fix our lake? “It’s not who-it’s you.” There are several resources to find out what is best for your situation. Whether it is uphill or at the water’s

edge they have it for you from ground layer perennial herbs, flowers, ferns, grasses, vines to which native trees to plant. DEP- www.maine.gov/dep/land/slz/ip-szveg.html Maine Lakes Society-LakeSmart program. They have a host of information for lake smart programs. Visit- https://www.lakes.me/lakesmart Lake Stewards of Maine- lakestewardsofmaine.org Cumberland County Soils and Water District- Offers a Yardscape program as well as a variety of other lake friendly information visit: www. cumberlandcswcd.org How Little Sebago Lake Association can help. There is a program to assist you with Rubber Razor’s which divert water into a swale, wooded area or rain garden. All you need to do is fill out an application form describing your project and we can assist you up to $500.00 depending upon the project and number of requests. Contact info@ littlesebagolake.com and we will connect you with our special projects coordinator Bob Desrosiers.

Rubber Razor Pictures

Pam Wilkinson LSLA President

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