October 4,2023
From Eagle Creek Renewable Energy: “We plan to bring the lake down by 1 foot to that minimum allowable level towards the end of this week with the rain in the forecast for Saturday. This lowering helps to reduce the spillage over the flashboards which reduces the chances of flashboard failure. Following the passage of that storm, we’ll be back up to normal lake level for the rest of the winter.”
In addition, they are stating that there will no longer be a winter drawdown, going forward the lake will only be lowered, if needed for repairs, etc.
mefishwildlife.com
Surface Use Restrictions to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
An aquatic invasive plant species, variable-leaved water-milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum), was confirmed growing in four waters in central Maine. To help reduce fragmentation of the invasive aquatic plants before remediation occurs and to limit further spread of this plant within the waters and downstream areas, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Department of Environmental Protection have issued surface use restrictions for portions of:
- Androscoggin Lake, Wayne(pdf)
- Annabessacook Lake, Monmouth(pdf)
- Cobbosseecontee Lake, Manchester(pdf)
- Great Meadow Stream and northern portion of North Bay in Great Pond, Belgrade, Smithfield, and Rome(pdf) (paddle craft are allowed in Great Meadows Stream)
At this time, no watercrafts may enter the closed areas unless for emergency situations or survey and removal efforts by MDIFW and DEP. Plans for remediation are underway. Please click the links above to view maps of the closed areas. Closed areas are marked with buoys.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping protect Maine’s waters.
Protect Our Waters from Aquatic Invasive Species
Maine has some of the country’s most pristine and healthy waters, which support high-quality habitat for fish and wildlife as well as endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Unfortunately, Maine waters, as well as the fish, wildlife, and recreation they support, are threatened each year by introductions of fish, plants, diseases, and other aquatic invasive species that compete with and displace native natural communities.
Effective June 16, 2023, prior to entering a water body and when preparing to leave launch sites, boaters are required to remove or open any devices designed for routine removal/opening (for example, hull drain plugs, bailers, live wells, ballast tanks) to encourage draining of areas containing water (excluding live bait containers). This must be done in a way that does not allow drained water to enter any inland water of the state.
It is up to everyone who enjoys Maine’s waters – boaters, paddlers, and anglers – to protect our waters.
New boater safety and education requirement effective January 1, 2024
This January, Maine will join 44 other states in requiring some level of boater education for those operating a boat on Maine’s waters. The boater education law was recently passed by the legislature, and goes into effect in 2024.
Beginning January 1, 2024, a person born on or after January 1, 1999, may not operate a motorboat of twenty-five (25) horsepower or greater for recreational boating purposes on inland waters of this State or territorial waters, unless that person is 12 years of age or older and has completed a boater safety and education course. There are a few exemptions, such as for registered Maine guides (hunting, fishing, and recreational guides only), the commercial fishing industry, daily boat renters, and merchant mariners.
The course teaches participants how to safely operate and maintain a boat, Maine boating laws, how to prepare for boating emergencies, environmental concerns including how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, and more. The course may be taken in-person or online.
WARNING
On August 29, 2023, part of Lake Arrowhead will be treated with herbicide to control the growth of Variable water-milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum), an invasive aquatic plant.
Herbicide Applied: florpyrauxifen-benzyl (Trade name: ProcellaCORTM EC)
Certified Applicator: SOLitude Lake Management®
590 Lake Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, tel. (866) 480-1271
The following water use restrictions on the ProcellaCORTM EC label apply to the treatment area:
- Do not use lake water for hydroponic, greenhouse or nursery irrigation before contacting Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP, see contact information below) to confirm the herbicide has dissipated
- Do not use lake water for any residential or non-agricultural irrigation (such as shoreline property use for irrigation of residential landscape plants and homeowner gardens, golf course irrigation, and non-residential property irrigation around business or industrial properties) for 3 days following treatment. Turf may be irrigated immediately after the treatment.
There is no label restriction on recreational uses, including swimming, but Maine DEP advises against swimming and boating in the treatment area on August 29, 2023 as an added safety precaution.
Map showing areas to be treated:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John McPhedran, Biologist
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
(207) 215-9863; [email protected]
August 22, 2023
To: LAC and LACC Members
RE: DEP Update: ProcellaCOR is slated for Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Hello Folks:
I’ve been in contact with the DEP the past week regarding the second herbicide treatment schedule for Lake Arrowhead to treat the Variable Leaf Milfoil infestation. We’ve come to an agreement on the area to be treated along with a price that LACC can afford to pay from funds that have been raised through our fund raisers and membership donations.
The map attached highlights the area to be treated. As stated by the DEP’s John McPhedran “The objective of the treatment is to knock-back growth of Myriophyllum heterophyllum in an area where manual removal has been very challenging. Reduced growth here will reduce fragments coming from the area around Brown Brook inlet into the rest of the lake. There is potential for treating adjacent areas in subsequent years under a revised management plan.”
LACC would like to have treated to the area where the Naiad treatment began in July, effectively linking the areas. Unfortunately, the cost to do this was 120K. This is why we now have the revised area in yellow on the map. The DEP noted in correspondence, “As this treatment is management of an existing established infestation, LACC is paying for the treatment. The approximate cost of the treatment including herbicide concentration analyses is $55,600. The contract for treatment services is between DEP and Solitude Lake Management. DEP will initially pay for the treatment and will execute a MOU through which LACC will reimburse DEP for treatment and herbicide analyses.”
As with the Naiad treatment, the DEP will be sending notices to the abutters of the area to be treated.
I will be posting the DEP notices at LAC Beaches along Leisure Lane that are in the treatment zone along with both boat ramps contained with this note.
Future treatments of milfoil in other areas of the lake will also need to be funded by LACC. As we look to expand fundraising activities to raise these dollars, we look to you our members to help us with creative ways to reach our goals and continue our DASH program.
See you on the lake.
Mike Fitzpatrick
VP-LAC
New law impacting boaters, paddlers, anglers, and any other watercraft users:
To reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species in Maine, a law was passed by Maine Legislature that requires boaters to take specific actions to encourage water to drain from their watercraft prior to entering a water body or leaving a launch site (PUBLIC LAW 2023 CHAPTER 190). Aquatic invasive species are any fish, wildlife, or plant species that spreads to a water body where they do not naturally occur. These species are often transferred to new locations on watercraft, watercraft trailers, and other equipment associated with water recreation, and they impact the health of our waters, fish, and wildlife.
Effective June 16, 2023, boaters are now required to do the following:
- Prior to entering a water body and when preparing to leave launch sites, boaters are required to remove or open any devices designed for routine removal/opening (for example, hull drain plugs, bailers, live wells, ballast tanks) to encourage draining of areas containing water (excluding live bait containers). This must be done in a way that does not allow drained water to enter any inland water of the state.
This puts into law what the Clean, Drain, Dry educational and outreach campaign has already been encouraging boaters to do. By ensuring that all boaters are draining water when it is from a different source than the inland water body they are about to enter, the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species including some that are not always visible by eye, to new areas is drastically reduced. Similar laws are already in effect in more than 20 other states, including neighboring New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. This law will limit the spread of aquatic invasive species we already have in Maine while proactively limiting potential for the introduction of aquatic invasive species that would be new to the state such as quagga mussels and the spiny water flea.
Emerging threat! Zebra Mussel infestations in nearby New Brunswick and Quebec are a threat to our Maine waterways!Invasive Zebra mussels have been found within the Saint John River drainage in both Quebec and New Brunswick, with the nearest visual confirmations less than 30 miles away from the Maine/Canada border and even closer potential infestations in the Madawaska River. This places the Saint John River at high risk for infestation and as a potential source for transport on watercraft of zebra mussels into other Maine water bodies. Zebra mussels have not yet been confirmed in any water of the state of Maine but represent a high threat level to the health of our waters, fish, and wildlife. Zebra mussel infestations result in irreversible negative impacts on native species and water body systems and are nearly impossible to eradicate once introduced. Zebra mussels filter and hold a substantial amount of important food and nutrients that native organisms require, negatively impacting all native fish and wildlife in the water body. In addition to significantly impacting our wildlife, and unlike our native mussels, zebra mussels attach to hard surfaces in the water, including watercraft, pipes (which can clog intake/outflow), rocks, docks, and even native mussels. Zebra mussel larvae are microscopic, making it imperative all outdoor enthusiasts use extreme caution to limit the spread. Help limit the spread of zebra mussels! Always practice standard clean, drain, dry recommendations and laws for watercraft. Allowing watercraft and all gear to dry thoroughly between water bodies is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of these microscopic zebra mussel larvae. This drying should occur for multiple days (2-5 days) when possible. |
You are invited! Friday, July 28th for an invasive swollen bladderwort identification workshop!
On the afternoon of Friday, July 28th I, through YCIASP, will offer an Invasive Swollen Bladderwort Identification Workshop at Anderson Learning Center, Springvale, ME (21 Bradeen St., Springvale, ME). The workshop will be held in the Heritage Room, on the lower level of Anderson Learning Center.
There will be 2 sessions of the workshop (same content) on Friday, 7/28:
Session #1 at 1-2:30PM
Session #2 at 3-4:30PM
The 2 sessions will cover the same content.
Please let me know ([email protected]) if you plan to attend, and which session, so that I can provide enough materials and space.
See below for more info.
Looking forward to the event next week!
Laurie Callahan, Aquatic Biologist
York County Invasive Aquatic Species Project (YCIASP), Founder & Coordinator
(mobile: 802-258-1877)
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A session will last about 1.5 hours, starting-off with a 20-30 minute PowerPoint presentation and then will move-on to working with live plant samples and learning to identify some native bladderworts and invasive swollen bladderwort.
There will also be a few other invasive aquatic plant samples on display, so that you can get an up-close look and practice your ID skills.
There continues to be a lot of interest expressed to have more hands-on training to identify swollen bladderwort – and how to distinguish it from other native bladderworts. That interest has been prompted by the discovery of swollen bladderwort at Lake Arrowhead in late 2021, at Mousam Lake this past June and Pine River Pond (Sanbornville, NH) in the past few weeks. Maine DEP added swollen bladderwort to its list of prohibited aquatic plant species this past winter/spring.
Acton-Wakefield Watershed Alliance (AWWA) will co-host the event.
Light refreshments will be available.
July 18, 2023
http://lentic-life.mixmox.com/…/herbicide-treatment-of…
(c) Dale Schultz & Deborah Broderick 2022
July 17, 2023
Dear Lake Arrowhead shorefront owner:
A contractor for the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will apply herbicide in portions of Lake Arrowhead this Thursday, July 20, 2023 to control the invasive aquatic plant brittle naiad (scientific name Najas minor). I am writing because your property is within or near the treatment area. DEP will post notification at boat access sites and beaches near the treatment area.
The treatment objectives are 1) to reduce spread of brittle naiad within Arrowhead and to other waters and 2) enable future control of this infestation with non-chemical means. The treatment is timed to kill the brittle naiad before it forms seeds.
The herbicide Aquastrike will be applied because of its effectiveness on brittle naiad. The following water use restrictions on the Aquastrike label apply to the treatment areas (product label found here http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ldBRQ006.pdf):
- Do not drink lake water for 3 days after treatment
- Do not allow livestock to consume lake water for 1 day after treatment
- Do not irrigate turf and landscape ornamentals for 3 days after treatment
- Do not irrigate food crops for 5 days after treatment
There is no swimming restriction for Aquastrike but the DEP advises residents not to swim within treated areas on the day of treatment as an added safety measure. The herbicide will be applied via subsurface injection through perforated hoses from an airboat. The contractor will arrive early on Thursday and the treatment will last most of the day.
A map showing the treatment area is attached to this letter and will be posted here: https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/invasives/. A separate treatment targeting variable water-milfoil may occur later in 2023. If that occurs, landowners within the treatment area will be notified.
You may contact me by email [email protected] or phone at 207-215-9863 if you have questions about the project.
Sincerely,
John McPhedran
Biologist, Maine DEP
2023 York County Invasive Aquatic Species Project (YCIASP)
JUNE 11, 2023 UPDATE:
Important & Upcoming Invasive Aquatic Species & Lake Related Events
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2023 York County Invasive Aquatic Species Project (YCIASP) Kick-off Event (in 9 days!):
TUES., JUNE 20, 1-3 PM, location to be determined soon (either Springvale or Limerick).
At this in-person event, Laurie Callahan will provide info regarding YCIASP activities planned for this year and Denise Blanchette, Maine DEP IAS Program biologist, will present current IAS issues and control projects in York County, PLUS there will be time for discussion and networking. Additionally, there will be fresh aquatic plant samples to take a look at.
Please email Laurie Callahan ([email protected]) to let her know that you are planning to attend (or thinking you will attend) this June 20th YCIASP Kick-off Event – attendance info will be helpful to prepare for number of attendees.
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LSM Live Aquatic Plant Identification Workshop (in-person with live plant samples; in 18 days!):
THURS., JUNE 29, 10AM-1PM, Lake Arrowhead Community (LAC), Clubhouse 2, at 206 Old Portland Rd., in North Waterboro
In-person aquatic plant identification workshop provided by Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM, formerly VLMP) in York County on Thursday, June 29, from 10AM-1PM.
YCIASP and other York County organizations will co-host the event.
The location of the in-person workshop will be the Lake Arrowhead Community (LAC), Clubhouse 2, at 206 Old Portland Rd., in North Waterboro.
LSM plans to announce the workshop this week and will be taking registrations for the workshop.
Anyone interested in attending will need to register with LSM –
Register for the event with LSM at https://www.lakestewardsofmaine.org/ipp-in-person-trainings/
The workshop is a great opportunity to learn with live plants and is part of LSM’s Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP) training and certification program.
It will be helpful to view the recorded June 8th IPP 101 webinar prior to the June 29th workshop. See more info below.
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Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM, formerly known as VLMP), Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP) 101 webinar:
Online webinar that was held on Thu., June 8 will be available soon; it will be useful to view the webinar prior to the June 29th Live Plant Identification Workshop:
The Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP) 101 recorded webinar is a great way to prepare for the June 29th Aquatic Plant Identification Workshop. If you were not able to attend the June 8 webinar, it was recorded and will be available soon, so you can view it when convenient before June 29. A link to the recorging(s) will be provided when available or you can visit the LSM website. (The recorded webinar is planned to be in 3 parts.)
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Maine Lakes and Lake Stewards of Maine 2023 Joint Maine Lakes Conference:
2023 JOINT MAINE LAKES CONFERENCE:
TOGETHER FOR HEALTHY LAKES
Saturday, June 17, 2023; 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
China Lake Conference Center, 255 Neck Road, China, ME
Hosted by Maine Lakes and Lake Stewards of Maine
To register for the conference, go to Registration (lakes.me).
For more information: https://www.lakes.me/conference
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Laurie Callahan, Aquatic Biologist Mobile: 802-258-1877
YCIASP, Founder & Coordinator Email: [email protected]
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Notice of 2023 Annual and Special Membership Meeting on 5/20/23
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.”