Naiad Update, Oct 2022 by Debbie Broderick
Our 2022 Brittle naiad (Najas minor) harvesting season using DASH teams came to an abrupt end on August 31 this year due to staffing shortages. I continued surveying the dam section of the lake by kayak, and my husband and I removed the plants we could reach using snorkels and nets. Each time I surveyed the same areas, I found more plants, even after previous removal – finding them is tricky, and depends on light, depth and surface water conditions.
Towards the end of September, I was reminded by some residents that naiad fragments had been found floating along the shoreline between beaches 11 and 12, of the Brown Brook arm. Previous surveys had not turned up any plants growing in that section of the lake, so an updated survey was needed.
On my traverse, I found scattered plants growing all along the shore, as well as between the islands separating the Brown Brook arm from the dam section of the lake. I marked the locations in red. I didn’t find any in the wetlands and marshy areas (brown sections in this photo). Other residents in this area have since reported finding naiads growing along their shore.
This is an important development: it is an expansion of the area populated by naiads in our lake.
Some of these plants were densely packed together, and I was unable to remove them safely from my kayak. On September 30, Dave Sanfason, Dale Schultz and I worked together to remove them. Dale dived and carefully removed the hedge in segments with a net, while I scooped up fragments from the surface in my kayak.
Here are a few photos from the removal operation.
Oct 17, 2022
Update from Eagle Creek Renewable Energy (Dam Owner) regarding the lake level.
Here are several updates regarding Lake Arrowhead levels. As of this morning, the Lake is about 1 foot above the intended level with all the rain lately. The intended level (i.e., about 4 feet below typical level) should be met in approximately 2 days. That estimate will ultimately depend on weather conditions.
Following a site inspection this morning, the estimated duration of the low water conditions is 3 weeks. This timetable would have lake refill beginning on approximately 11/9/2022. This duration may change as the maintenance work begins and more details become available. As things progress, the dam owners will provide us with updates.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Notice of Upcoming Lake Level Reduction by 4.5 Feet
Beginning on October 10, 2022
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Ledgemere Hydro, LLC hereby provides notice of an upcoming flashboard and dam crest inspection and maintenance event at the Ledgemere Hydroelectric Project located on Lake Arrowhead. This requires a reduction in typical lake level by approximately 4.5 feet. We suggest that all boat owners remove their boats prior to October 10th. |
We are IN NEED of eyes on the water’ to help us find mature European naiad plants now that our DASH program has had to end prematurely this year.
MEET OUR AQUATIC RESIDENTS:
-Have you ever wondered what the brittle naiad looks like?
-Would you like to see variable leaf milfoil up close?
-Can you tell which snails are the Chinese mystery snails?
Well, wonder no more! I am a certified plant patroller on Lake Arrowhead and have assembled some specimens to show and help answer your questions. You can view and handle the plants in floating trays to satisfy your curiosity. You too, can learn how to tell these apart from our native plants and animals. Perhaps you would be interested in finding some of these in your part of the lake yourself. You too can feel confident in knowing what’s under the surface – it’s a fascinating world out there.
Come and view the specimens at our Petting Tanks. There is NO FEE or registration.
By supporting member Deb Broderick
- Tower Beach (Beach #2), Waterboro
SATURDAY, July 30
11:00AM – 2:00PM
Bring your curious little ones, too!
OR
- Clubhouse 2, (206 Old Portland Road, No. Waterboro)
SATURDAY, Aug 6
8:30AM – till end of LAC annual meeting
7-11-2022
Hi Members – LACC is looking for Paddlers to participate with monitoring and identifying invasive plants…. A note from the Lake Stewards of Maine with more information and a link for training sessions.
Greetings Fellow IPPers!
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| LACC Update May 2022
May 18, 2022 Hello LACC Members, It is that time of year where docks and boats are showing up on the lake! The Board wanted to share the good news that our DASH Harvesting Season of removing Milfoil and Naiad has started!! The Arrowhead began milfoil removal on Monday with a crew to get a three week jump start on the season. The crew returned with full baskets each day, so we appreciate the extra time on the water fighting the invader. The second LACC DASH crew has been harvesting milfoil in Balch Lake this past month as a cooperative effort amongst the two lake organizations. Our DASH Team operates Balch’s harvester for the month of May and then again in October. This is an ongoing effort for the past seven years or so and has been very helpful in crew retention as it extends their work season. Once they complete the effort at Balch, the DASH crew will return and begin operations on Lake Arrowhead with the Limwater. CBI Inspections – The DEP has asked us to begin monitoring through the month of May, especially Memorial Day Weekend. We have been able to cover these additional dates and have secured the staff necessary to begin full time monitoring on Father’s Day in June. The LAC Members ramp on Bay Cove will once again be covered on weekends with the Ledgemere Dam ramp will be covered seven days a week. The Maine DEP has also asked us to participate in a management plan they have put forward for our review. Our Exec Board is reviewing the contents and will formulate a response that takes our lake and watershed best interest to the forefront. Plant Surveys – This is an area we need membership help with. Part of the Management plan will need to include a paddle survey program. This is where we struggle as an organization. Most of the current board are not really kayakers or canoe people (believe me it’s a challenge getting in and out!) and have demanding schedules maintaining all the other activities we perform to keep LACC operational. We are really looking for a member of LACC to come forward and lead the charge for us. We will coordinate all training necessary to prepare you for plant identification. If paddling about is something you enjoy, could you please reach out to us. Even if its one day a month you could donate your time and still enjoy being out on the water and doing something that benefits the lake. More Good NEWS: Just wanted to share the great news about one of our own DASH Boat Captains… As you can see from the announcement below, Captain Charlotte Sanfason has been accepted to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy! Along with a lot of hard work and being a great student, Charlotte credits working on a LACC Harvester and growing up on a lake as some of the reason she chose to pursue a career in the Maritime industry. LACC is positive you will do well at the Academy and hope to have you back whenever your schedule allows. – Congratulations!
Thank you, Mike Fitzpatrick LACC- President |
Need an excuse to get outside this weekend?
You can fish without a license June 4-5!
Whether you haven’t fished in years, since you were a kid, or you want to try something new, cast a line this weekend!
In a fast-paced world, fishing is a great way to slow down and connect with nature. You’ll be rewarded with beautiful views, memories, lessons, and hopefully, fish!
Wondering where to fish?
No matter where you are in the state, there is fishing opportunity near you. Check out the stocking report to see where the Department stocked fish near you, read the monthly fishing report with tips and recommendations from each region, or check out the Maine fishing guide.
If looking for additional guidance, hire a registered Maine fishing guide! Guides are happy to bring people of all ages and experience levels fishing.
Before you head out, be sure to view Maine’s fishing laws.
During Free Fishing Weekend, any person including both residents and non-residents (except those whose license has been suspended or revoked) may fish without a license. All other laws and rules apply on these days.
Protect our waters and fish
Don’t dump your bait! Properly dispose of unused baitfish on land or in the trash. Never release any live baitfish into a water body. If fishing with worms, dispose of them in the garbage.
Always Clean, Drain, and Dry your fishing gear to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. This includes your boat, rods, waders, footwear, ropes, and all gear. Learn more.
If fishing with soft plastic lures, do so responsibly. Secure it, check it often, and dispose of it in the trash or recycling bin. Learn more.
And make sure you are following Maine’s lead laws to protect loons and other wildlife.
Helpful links
Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool (FLOAT)
Protect our Waters from Invasive Species
Fishing with soft plastic lures
Learn how to be a good land user
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URGENT: Interns In Search of Housing
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2022 York County Invasive Aquatic Species Project (YCIASP)
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You are invited to attend the first 2022 YCIASP Discussion Session
Thursday, MAY 26, 2022 from 10 AM – Noon
Holdsworth Park, 278 Main St (Rte 109), Springvale, ME
We have reserved the large, covered, open-air pavilion – capacity 84.
In past years the attendance has been less than 30 people, so there should be plenty of space.
(12 – 1 PM will be available for additional, informal discussion time.)
Refreshments will not be provided, so please bring your own coffee, snacks, etc or picnic lunch.
Being fully vaccinated for Coronavirus is highly recommended.
If you are not fully vaccinated, please wear a mask.
For those fully vaccinated, masks are welcome, but not required.
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This event is strictly an in-person event.
There is no “virtual” option and it will not be recorded.
There will be a synopsis available a couple of weeks after the event.
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Here are some invasive aquatic species (IAS) and lake and watershed stewardship topics that we hope to discuss on May 26th:
- Updates on invasive aquatic species concerns for York County
- YCIASP goals for 2022
- Attendees’ IPP or lake or watershed stewardship goals for 2022
- Can YCIASP help with your IPP, CBI or other stewardship goals in 2022?
- Sign-up to have L. Callahan lead an on-the-water aquatic plant survey session for your IPP, Weed Watch or lake/river/watershed group (availability is limited).
- A few live aquatic plant samples will be displayed; natives & IAP.
- As a follow-up to a workshop we held a couple of years ago, we would like to gather information from attendees about whether they would like to be doing more in terms of stewardship or monitoring on their lakes, ponds or streams – and if they would, do they need help to get things started or to continue doing what they have been doing (or have been trying to do)?
- Info about LSM IPP workshops scheduled for this summer.
Will look forward to seeing you on May 26th!
Please let me know if you think you may be able to attend:
Laurie Callahan – [email protected]
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In October, 2021, a new invasive plant was found blooming in Lake Arrowhead in 3 slow moving, shallow coves. It’s called Utricularia inflata (swollen bladderwort), a carnivorous, free-floating (therefore unrooted) aquatic. It resembles a native bladderwort we have in our lake, Utricularia radiata, which is much smaller and more delicate.
This is what the invasive plant looks like (it can flower through till November):
The natural range of this plant is the southeastern coastal plains of the U.S. This is the first confirmed record of the plant in Maine. It has been documented in Connecticut and Massachusetts. It is easily spotted when in flower, so finding it at this time is not dependent on water clarity or turbidity. If you see such a plant in your cove, please email or message me at [email protected], or 207 6191301. Alternatively, alerting a LACC board member would also work.
It has floats that hold the flower up out of the water :
This find, and that of the invasive Najas minor last year, highlights the absolute necessity of meticulously checking, cleaning, draining and drying watercraft when entering and leaving our lake.
-Debbie Broderick
October 7, 2021 – Laurie Callahan, YCIASP Founder & Coordinator
This is announcing the rescheduling of some invasive aquatic species (IAS) awareness-building opportunities. I would like to invite you to join me this Saturday, 10/9, for visits to 3 river sites of interest – in regards to IAS presence and current projects. Join me for one, two or all three. These visits will not be on-the-water, but will be via viewing from the shore or wading in relatively shallow sites on the Salmon Falls River and Little Ossipee River.
Short descriptions, locations and times of the 3 site visits are provided below.
Please let me know if you plan to join me. If there is a need to cancel, revise the schedule, etc. I will want to be able to contact you. The sites we will visit are relatively shallow, and if you plan to join me please wear shoes that can get wet, or bring tall boots or waders. Just being on shore will be OK too.
Will look forward to seeing some of you on Saturday!
If you cannot join me, please pass the invitation along to others that might be interested.
Laurie Callahan, YCIASP Founder & Coordinator
(mobile: 802-258-1877)
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Here are short descriptions, locations and times of the 3 site visits:
#1 Little Ossipee River, below the Balch Lake dam on Acton Ridge Rd., Acton/Newfield (ME); 10:30 AM, Saturday, 10/9/21; meet at pullover across from dam. YCIASP has set-up screens in the river to capture variable milfoil fragments being carried by water flowing over the dam from Balch Lake. Variable milfoil has been present in Balch Lake, and other waterbodies upstream of it, for over a decade. The river and other waterbodies downstream from this site are very undeveloped and relatively remote – and vulnerable to colonization by the variable milfoil fragments travelling downstream.
#2 Little Ossipee River, Limington (ME), at the intersection of Doles Ridge Rd. and Rte 117; 12:30 PM, Saturday, 10/9/21; meet at dirt parking area at the intersection, on river side of Doles Ridge Rd. This site is about 1.5 miles below Lake Arrowhead, where variable milfoil is well-established. This location is a good site to see variable milfoil that has become established in the river below Lk Arrowhead.
(If there is time and interest, we may also visit a location directly below the Lake Arrowhead dam on New Dam Rd. in Limerick. In 2020 N. minor was discovered growing in Lake Arrowhead, just above the dam. We may do a cursory check for growth of N. minor below the dam.)
#3 Salmon Falls River, Lebanon (ME) just below the Spaulding Pond dam; 2:30PM, Saturday, 10/9/21; at the intersection of Spaulding Ave., River Rd. and Indian Lake Drive. Roadside parking on River Rd. We will view invasive variable milfoil growing in the river at this location and will also check for the presence of European water nymph (Najas minor). Both of those invasive aquatic plants are present in Spaulding Pond. (N. minor is also present in Townhouse, Depot and Northeast Pond, just up the Salmon Falls River from Spaulding Pond.)
Sept 4, 2021 –Limwater DASH crew in front of 2021 Season Milfoil Yield. Left to right: lead diver Steve Church, diver Dan Ramos, captain Charlotte Sanfason.
July 29, 2021 – Invasive Plant Paddle session presented by the Lake Stewards of Maine
Attendees learned how to determine if a plant they find is one of the eleven Maine invasives. They also learned how to tell the invasive Naiad from the two other Naiads we have in our lake.
July 8, 2021 – Lake Arrowhead Kayakers and Canoeists– Please get involved in this important project.
The Plant Paddle on July 29 has been announced by LSM!
Free Invasive Aquatic Plant Paddle session for Lake Arrowhead
The Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) will be presenting a Plant Paddle on Lake Arrowhead in July. Plant Paddles provide a fun, informal way to learn about the threat of invasive aquatic plants and the importance of early detection. All attendees will receive (and learn how to use) LSM’s waterproof, tear-resistant “Quick Key” to quickly determine whether or not any plant found growing in the lake is suspicious. We will collect samples of native aquatic plants, observe samples of the invasive plants that are known to occur in the lake, and practice skills needed for local invasive aquatic plant survey efforts.
Pre-registration is required
Thursday, July 29, from Noon – 3:00 PM
INVASIVE PLANT PADDLE – Lake Arrowhead
(Address and directions will be provided once you have registered)
A light lunch (hamburgers) will be provided. People who have dietary restrictions or preferences should pack their own lunch.
If you are interested in learning how to identify our new invasive species Najas minor, please register here to attend.
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Link to register is https://forms.gle/JJg4z6Skg7UGj7vz9
June 29, 2021 – the first fragment of this year’s growth of the invasive naiad was found in the vicinity of the dam section of Lake Arrowhead.
We need your help in locating the areas it’s growing in. Please keep an eye out, and report sightings or look-alikes to [email protected] or 207 619 1301. There are plant collection containers at each clubhouse where you can leave a sample that may resemble this plant – let Debbie know when she should collect a plant.
June 25, 2021 – update posted on front page.
From President Mike Fitzpatrick
Hi LACC Members:
Just wanted to give you an update as we wrap up our first week of full operations in both the DASH and CBI programs. CBI inspections started on Monday at the Ledgemere DAM boat ramp. Inspections will be manned 7 days a week at that location at least through the Labor Day Weekend. We also will have an inspector at the Bay Cove LAC Members Only Boat ramp on Saturdays and Sundays.
The DASH program did get a jump on our normal season start. We were fortunate to have enough DASH crew available to run one boat since the middle of May where we concentrated on member beaches, boat ramps and some Pay for Play programs. We started this past Monday with both DASH Harvesters out and have been filling the baskets and barrels daily. I’ve included pictures for our website. But the big news is LACC has hired its first female boat captain this year! We’d like to welcome Captain Charlotte Sanfason to our team. Charlotte has grown up on our lake and has a love for the lake like all of us do. Some of the pictures show the diver prepping to enter and the full face mask that is utilized with communication equipment. There is one picture with Capt Charlotte and the second diver with the head gear on. She keeps in constant communication with the diver on the bottom at all times. It’s not easy work as you see the Captain transferring the milfoil into the large cage basket and barrel from the receiving basket. The divers split the day between active harvesting below and the communication/safety role on the topside.
Finishing this up now so I can run off to meet with John McPhedran, the head of the Maine DEP Invasive Aquatic Division. We are going to review the current growth level and discuss future plans.
Have a great weekend.. Hope to see you on the lake….
Mike Fitzpatrick
LACC-President
Variable Leaf Milfoil
From member Deb Broderick (June 2021)
The stalks you currently see growing at the water surface above the patches of milfoil are the flower bracts that are used for sexual reproduction.
Pictures taken by member Deb Broderick (early spring 2021)
These pics show clear root growth on fragments found right after ice-out this year. It’s always worth removing detached floating fragments from your waterfront. “On the second day of ice-out this year (2021), I found a few floating fragments of Variable Milfoil in my cove. I fished them out with a long net and could see new roots on the weathered stems, so they were still viable, right after the winter. It’s better to monitor the shoreline and pick them out now before they root and take hold.”