2008 Accomplishments

• Dissolved oxygen and water clarity (“secchi”) measurements were close to the 2007 norm for the State of Maine.  Damariscotta Lake fits the “moderately productive” range of algal productivity (secchi readings between 4.1 and 7.9 meters). 
• The courtesy boat inspection teams checked over 500 boats at the Route 213 boat launch.  44 of these boats had previously visited a Lake infested with invasive aquatic plants.  No invasives were found, however, by our nine volunteer inspectors.  An invasive plant screening of four high traffic boat launch sites was conducted by professionals from the Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants.  No invasives were found.

• DLWA co-hosted two invasive “plant patrol” workshops, in which DLWA volunteers learned to recognize many of the 11 invasive species, as well as many native species to be found in the northeastern U.S.  We hope to expand the number of plant patrollers in 2009.
• A small insect, named Galerucella by entomologists, is a non-native beetle. The larvae and small, brown adults of the species eat “purple loosestrife”, an aggressive invasive which has invaded a cattail marsh in Morang Cove.  They feed exclusively on loosestrife and need the plant to complete their life cycle.  DLWA volunteers & staff, working with several agencies, introduced Galerucella to the marsh in late July and while revisiting the site in October, noted the presence of several live beetles.  It is hoped that over the next decade, the expansion of the loosestrife population can be checked.
• The loon counters (eighteen teams of 2) were more successful in 2008 than in 2007.  54 adults and 5 chicks were identified on Damariscotta Lake in July, 2008. 
• Approximately 110,000 adult alewives made it up the fish ladder to the Lake in 2008.  DLWA once again supported the ongoing rebuilding of the fish ladder with a $2000 donation, and also participated in May and September fund-raising events to support the effort.
• With the help of Bobby Van Riper, trout biologist, and IF&W staff, DLWA volunteers conducted a stream survey of the West Branch, a major 9-mile tributary of Damariscotta Lake, which rises in Somerville and flows southeast to the mill pond in Jefferson Village; then, merges with Davis Stream, below the Rt. 126 bridge.  Due to high water in late summer/early Fall, the survey will be completed in 2009.
• Once again this year, DLWA worked with Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife to perform maintenance on about two dozen duck nest boxes.  In November, working with Volunteers of America personnel, DLWA staff Nancy Holmes and Alice Phillips Constructed 17 new duck boxes, which may be future homes for wood ducks, mergansers, goldeneye or flying squirrels.

•  By mid-November, it was possible to construct a bridge across the West Branch just below the ruins of the old grist mill and just east of  the Jones road.  This was completed and will allow for better access to the 230-acre “fenced-in” part of the West Branch Preserve, located in Somerville.
• This land will be open to the public for recreation, which may eventually include cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, horseback riding, mountain biking, overnight camping, fishing and observation of American bison (buffalo), elk (wapiti), and red deer in the adjacent Peaslee big game park.   The trails in the unfenced part of the preserve are available for hiking and nature study only, except that permits are issued annually during the hunting season for deer and turkeys. 
•  A scale trail map of the 470-acre Preserve was created by DLWA AmeriCorps volunteer Luke Lunt, using GPS/GIS  and was supported by the GIS Support Center of  Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association.  The 8-1/2” x 14”map is available to the public by clicking on “Recreation”, followed by “Take a Walk/Hike/Paddle.”
•  A small parking area was built on the east side of North Mountain Road with the help of midcoast youth and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.  From here, one can access any of the three loop trails, which access the preserve.
•  DLWA accepted the donation of a conservation easement by a Nobleboro landowner on a scenic 35-acre parcel of prime hay land and woodlot, with access to a pond.
• Two private foundation grants, in support of future collaborative land protection initiatives and facilitation of public access were received in 2008.
• 2008 DLWA Education Outreach
  April- Jefferson & Somerville 6th graders participated in Big Melt Walk, learning about erosion control methods, the water cycle, and map-making.
  May- Montessori students explored vernal pools in Jefferson and then had a follow-up lesson in class.
  May- Jefferson, Somerville, Washington, and Nobleboro 6th graders participated in pre-WWD, learning about watersheds and water quality.
  June- 6th grade students attended Water Wonder Day at Wavus.
  October- Jefferson & Somerville students attended fall walk on Davis Stream Trail, learning about the forest floor composition, the changing of the leaves, animal tracking, and water quality.
  October- Montessori students particpated in a 4 seasons collage activity, learning the role that water plays in each season.
  November- All watershed schools and Montessori school were visited for Maine Recyles Week, students learned about recycling by studying and categorizing recyclable and non-recyclable items.

©2003 Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association
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