Landscaping

Before houses and roads were built on the Damariscotta Lake Watershed, rainfall and snowmelt had very little chance of eroding soil and carrying it to the lake. The lake water was clear and supported a healthy community of fish and birds. The trees, shrubs and grasses on the watershed directed rain and runoff into the soil, preventing erosion.

Today, removal of natural vegetation for human land uses gives erosion a chance to carry soil, nutrients, and pollution to the lake. The water becomes murky, the nutrients encourage algae growth, and some fish species die out.

Wise landowners plant as much vegetation as possible to offset the impervious surfaces of buildings and roads.

• The more leaf area, the better. Best plantings have three layers - trees, shrubs, and groundcover. This gives maximum protection against erosion.
• Every property in the watershed is an opportunity to improve water quality by good planting. If you live in the watershed, but are not on the lakeshore, it is important you follow good landscaping practices. Ponds on your property also slow erosion and capture waterborne soil and nutrients before they reach the lake.

Lakeshore "buffer" plantings are critical.

If your property is on the edge of the lake, you have a special opportunity to protect and enhance water quality. Click here for more information on buffer plantings or go directly to "The Buffer Handbook - a guide to creating vegetated buffers for lakefront properties" at http://www.state.me.us/dep/blwq/docwatershed/bufa.htm

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