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Presentation Overview
Introduction
Water Quality Analysis
Land Use Analysis
-  Intermission  -
GIS Analysis and Models
Future Predictions
Remediation Measures
Recommendations

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Study Objectives
Measure Water Quality of Webber Pond:
Physical parameters
DO, Temperature, Turbidity,
     Conductivity
Chemical parameters
Total phosphorus, Nitrates,
    Hardness, pH, Alkalinity
Compare to historical data
DEP water sampling since 1972

Study Objectives
Calculate proportion of Webber Pond watershed covered
by various land uses:
  -Road surveys
-Residence counts
-Buffer strip surveys
-GIS land use map analysis
-1997 aerial map
-1956 aerial map

Study Objectives
Project the future condition of the Webber Pond watershed:
- Create Models
- Calculate Phosphorus Loading Model - Calculate population trends
- Project future development
- Recommend best remediation
  techniques

Characteristics of Maine Lakes
Important resources in Maine: Recreational, Economic values
Due to glaciations, many Maine lakes are oriented in a northeast to southwest direction

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Lake Turnover
Webber Pond is dimictic
Summer thermocline
Fall turnover
Winter stratification
Spring turnover
Turnover re-oxygenates the lake, recycles nutrients

Trophic Status of Lakes
Nutrients
Webber Pond is eutrophic, which means that it is high in nutrients.
High nutrient levels (especially nitrogen and phosphorus) lead to large phytoplankton communities.
Increased productivity leads to increased sedimentation and aging of the lake.

Defining a Watershed
Total area contributing flow to a particular basin.
Defined as the highest points of land that surround it.

Historical Perspective of the Webber Pond Watershed
1950Õs - 1960Õs large chicken farms.
Now small vegetable farms, orchard, golf course, lakeshore residences.
1972 Maine DEP began secchi disk sampling.
Current algal blooms are not as severe as those in 1960Õs - 1970Õs.

"Reconstructed in 1986,"
Reconstructed in 1986, itÕs used to regulate water levels.
Benefits of stabilizing water levels:
Minimize shoreline erosion
Provide stable environment for flora/fauna
Allows for flushing of high-nutrient water
33 percent of the lake volume can be drawndown with dam

Geographical Perspective of the Webber Pond Watershed
Part of the Lower Kennebec River watershed
A heavily populated area
Webber Pond covers 1,238 acres
The Webber Pond watershed covers
5,292 acres
Webber Pond receives water from
     Threemile Pond, Threecornered Pond, Mud Pond

Biological Perspective of the Webber Pond Watershed
Submerged aquatic plants around periphery
Nine species of native fish:
American Eel, Fallfish, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead, Chain Pickerel, Banded Killfish, Red Breasted Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, White Perch were introduced but not actively stocked

Fish Stocking of
Webber Pond
Brown Trout and Brook Trout have to be replaced due Webber Pond water quality.
Alewives are anadromous, movement blocked by dams
In the  short-term, Alewives may deteriorate water quality
In long-term, Alewives may help water quality

Introduced Plants
11 species pose a threat to Maine lakes
Problematic because:
spread by fragments
grow rapidly
outcompete natives
hard to eradicate, control
Webber Pond is at a high risk because:
soft, shallow bottom
public access via boat ramp

Water Chemistry
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Land Use Analysis

Madeleine Mineau
Shoreland Zoning
Minimum residential lot size: 40,000 sq.ft
Minimum residential shore frontage: 200 ft
Maximum height of
structures: 35 ft
All structures are required to
be set back a minimum of
100 horizontal feet from the
normal high water mark.

Shoreland Zoning
(continued)
Campground: Camping areas shall contain a minimum of 5000 sq. ft of land for each site.
Clearing of vegetation is prohibited within 75 feet horizontal distance of the shoreline.
There shall be no cleared opening greater than 250 feet in the forest canopy.

Discussion
Many non-compliant homes observed. Probably pre-date shoreland zoning ordinance.
The Vassalboro Code Enforcement Officer expressed a concern about the lack of restrictions regarding converting  seasonal residences into permanent residences.

Buffer Strips
Absorb runoff to control nutrients entering the lake.
A good buffer consists of several vegetation layers and a variety of plants and trees to maximize benefits.
Natural vegetation form the best buffers.
Riprap can also be used to protect shoreline erosion.

Buffer Strip Scoring
    Score determined according to lakeshore coverage, buffer depth and composition, slope, lot distance and need for riprap. Score range 1 Ð 20.
1 - 9  Poor
10 Ð 15  Partial
16 Ð 20  Adequate

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House Count
Assess intensity of residential development in shoreline area and in the watershed as a whole.
Identify and locate other land uses such as: farms, schools commercial buildings.
Assess impact on nutrient
loading of the lake.

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Subsurface Disposal Systems
Must conform with State of Maine
Wastewater Disposal Rules
Minimum setback of 100 horizontal
feet from the normal high water mark.

Town of Vassalboro Ordinances (continued)
By December 31, 1995 all wastewater disposal systems in the Shoreland Zone must have:
Provided documentation showing the existing system was installed after July 1, 1974
Or
Installed a new system in compliance with State of Maine regulations

Webber Pond Watershed
Subsurface Disposal Systems
Almost all systems are septic systems, no holding tanks, one outhouse and one chem-toilet.
State funding is used to help residents with cost of upgrading their system.
Green Valley Campground uses several leach fields up hill from camp sites.

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Intermission