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Mousam Lake Region Association |
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| Previous Issues | Fall 2002 Newsletter -- Page 3 | |||
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Lake
Enchanement The preliminary report on Mousam Lake prepared by Forrest Bell for the D.E.P. and Maine Association of Conservation Districts has been received by the MLRA. This report calculates the estimated total phosphorus load that Mousam can accept on an annual basis without harming water quality. Nutrient enrichment of lakes through excess total phosphorus originating from watershed soil erosion has been recognized as the primary source of non-point source pollution. Major land use activities around lakes include septic intrusion, residential development, and roadways. The assessment of Mousam includes watershed and lake descriptions along with water quality data such as measurements of total phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, Secchi disk readings, and dissolved oxygen readings. This information is all compiled to develop plans for implementation of a resolution. The outstanding features of Mousam Lake are the abundance of excessively drained soils and heavily developed shoreline, along with lengthy and moderate-to-high gradient camp roads. Water clarity is generally good, however a significant decline in the water quality trend has been observed since 1986. Dissolved oxygen levels have also declined over the past several years and water quality standards in terms of supporting coldwater fish habitat are not being met. There are no significant algae blooms at this time, but some areas are showing signs of cultural eutrophication. Mousam is on the State of Maine’s listing of lakes in non-attainment of water quality standards by virtue of a significant declining trend in water transparency over the past 15 years. Mousam is also on the “lakes most at risk” list. What is needed just to maintain equilibrium is to cut the total amount of phosphorus entering Mousam Lake by 26%. Only by implementing a combination of residential property and roadway Best Management Practices, along with significant septic system improvements, will we reduce the phosphorus load into Mousam. The most significant findings include: a high percentage of inadequate shoreline buffers on lakefront lots (65%), high slopes, sandy soils, and shoreline septic systems. Along with camp road runoff, these add up to 36 to 54% of Mousam’s total phosphorus load. It should be kept in mind that no phosphorus (plant food) means no milfoil growth! On a positive note, the current level of watershed restoration work in the Mousam Lake region is a promising feature. The continued support of the Youth Conservation Corps is vital to the long term preservation and restoration of Mousam. However, without the help of each and every Mousam Lake resident , water quality goals cannot be met and Mousam will continue to have declining water quality. Please plant vegetation buffer strips along your exposed shoreline property. Other runoff control methods include “rip-rap” (shoreline rock placement), strategically dug ditches, and placement of other natural water diverting measures. The Youth Conservation Corps exists to help property owners with these projects. Contact the MLRA Board for more information (see phone numbers on page one) or by visiting our web site at: www.mousamlake.org Your cooperation may save our lake! |
Lake
News What is the “penguin dance”? A. Well named, the loon’s penguin dance is the bird’s most dramatic territorial display. Loons literally stand on the water by violently kicking their feet while holding their head down with their bill tight against their breast. While this defensive display might drive away some natural enemies, it does not work well with people. Some uninformed fishermen or boaters think it’s entertainment and stimulate the display. It requires a lot of energy to perform (try it next time you’re swimming). Anyone accidentally stimulating the dance should retreat immediately.Why do chicks climb on their parents’ back? A. The back-riding of chicks is primarily to protect against heat loss but also serves as protection from underwater (snapping turtles or pike) or over-water (eagles) predators. How high can loons fly? A. According to information from radar, at least 7,000 feet. Most flights in summer are at altitudes of only several hundred feet. Can loons lay more than one set of eggs a season? A. Yes, if their eggs are lost to predators, loons will sometimes lay another clutch of eggs. Occasionally, loons will even nest a third or fourth time if the replacement batch of eggs is lost. However, loons have never been known to re-nest if the eggs hatch, but the chicks die. Do loons have a “brood patch”? A. While loons do not have a featherless brood patch (an incubation hot spot), they do have an area of their breast where blood vessels in the skin increase in size during the roughly one-month incubation period. This physiological change better transfers the bird’s body heat to the eggs. What does “wing flap” signify? A. The “wing flap” is done by many water birds. It probably has no significance and is simply a way to shake water out of feathers. Why don’t loons nest every year? A. Being a long-lived bird with the potential to raise dozens of young, loons don’t need to attempt a nest each year. If the conditions aren’t quite right, they often forego nesting. Typically, loons nest three of every four years. |
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