Committed to maintaining the water quality of Taylor Pond in order to preserve wildlife habitat, protect property values and safeguard recreational oportunities.
Part of the experience of living on or near Taylor Pond is hearing the loon calls and seeing our resident loons circumnavigate the pond each day. But, according to many longtime residents, it has been more than fifteen years since a loon chick has been spotted on Taylor Pond. This is a concern as we look toward the future. This summer, local residents are working with Maine Audubon to address this issue.
While multiple attempts have been made in the past to provide a stable nesting platform for loon pairs, those efforts have failed. This year, in collaboration with the Maine Loon Restoration Project led by Maine Audubon, we are trying again.
Loon family, feeding the chick.
Maine Audubon started the Maine Loon Restoration Project in 2021 in partnership with Maine Lakes, the Lakes Environmental Association, and the Penobscot Nation. The project is funded by an oil spill settlement, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trustees, resulting from an oil spill in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts in April 2003. It was estimated that 531 loons died as a result of that accident. Maine Audubon decided to focus a portion of the grant on efforts to increase the hatching success of loon pairs on Maine lakes that haven’t successfully fledged a loon chick in 3 or more years. Taylor Pond clearly qualifies and a floating nesting platform was launched in early May of this year.
According to Tracy Hart, Maine Audubon Wildlife Ecologist and head of the Maine Loon Restoration Project, other parts of the project involve outreach to reduce nesting disturbance and egg washout from boat wakes, as well as loon mortality from threats like boat strikes and lead tackle poisoning.
The project launched 27 loon nesting platforms in Maine in the summer of 2022. Of these, 9 were used for nesting, 8 chicks were hatched and 7 survived, which is an excellent success rate given that it can sometimes take multiple years for loons to start nesting on rafts. When asked how they defined “success”, David Morrill, a Seasonal Wildlife Biologist with Maine Audubon, said it was when a chick fledged. In other words, a chick has to hatch, be cared for by its parents for 12 weeks, learn to feed itself and be strong enough to fly away in the fall in order for that specific platform to be deemed a success. However, the rafts themselves can only help to address certain threats and once a chick hatches, the platforms no longer provide any protection.
For 2023, Maine Audubon Society is launching another 33 platforms, including Taylor Pond’s, for a total of 60. The plan is to relaunch these platforms each year that threats to nesting remain, understanding that it may take time for a breeding pair to become accustomed to the platform.
Hart believes, based on the data collected to date, that loon platforms can increase productivity for breeding pairs that struggle to hatch chicks year after year. But she emphasizes that rafts take maintenance and pose some risks, so should only be used in cases where loons continually fail to hatch chicks due to reasons that the nesting platforms can help address–like nest flooding from water level fluctuations or boat wakes, predation, or loss of nesting habitat. The platforms, made of cedar logs or other materials, are anchored but float so that rising water won’t swamp them. Some have extra protections like avian guards and wake guards. Our platform does have an avian guard.
Some of the greatest dangers to nesting loons are excessive wakes which flood nests, predators, rising and falling water levels, and disturbance by people who get too close to the nest. Lead contamination from lost or discarded fishing tackle remains a leading cause of death for adult loons, but it appears that boat strikes are now killing more loons and their chicks than lead poisoning. In terms of predation, raccoons, mink, skunks, gulls, crows, and even dogs predate loon nests. Eagles are new on the scene as predators and may well be part of the reason why we have seen so few chicks on Taylor Pond.
The nesting platforms, once launched, are essentially floating islands, complete with vegetation. Maine Audubon supplies the raft, flotation, and green avian guards made of lobster trap wire in locations where there is heavy predation from bird predators. Local volunteers working alongside trained Maine Audubon biologists then spread 2’” of topsoil over which they lay large pieces of moss to help hold the soil on the raft. Small native trees and perennials are then planted, in our case a cedar tree, a dogwood whose trunk reached through the avian guard, and a small patch of blue flag iris. The moss is smoothed to create a bowl or hollow in the center of the raft. The avian guard has to be at least 27” high at the apex of the arch over the raft to give the loons room to nest and sometimes, even mate on the raft. Cedar or pine boughs are then woven through the avian guard to provide shade until the planted vegetation is established and leafs out.
Now that the platform has been launched, it will be monitored on a weekly basis by Debbie Hammond, the new Taylor Pond Loon Counter. She will make online reports to Maine Audubon. Debbie is continuing a family tradition by taking over from her father, Peter Durgin, our long time Loon Counter, who died last spring. Maine Audubon will check on the platform several weeks post-launch and provide volunteers with additional information about how to conduct the surveys and observations about loon behaviors. Greg Hammond, Jan Phillips and Joan Macri worked with Maine Audubon’s Toni Rabasco and David Morrill to prepare the platform for launch.
It will be years before we know if the program has been successful. Loons are born and fledge on fresh water lakes. They migrate to the coast and winter on the ocean where they remain for several years. When they are strong enough to defend their territory, they return to their lake of origin to breed the next generation. Hopefully these efforts will ensure that the Taylor Pond community will continue to enjoy its loons for many generations to come.
The quick and simple answers to this question is no and maybe. Water from Taylor Pond is not considered safe to drink without treatment. The water is, however, safe for swimming but with some concerns.
Last summer the TPA board raised these questions about safety. Bill Turner offered to test some water samples as he had the expertise and an available boat. We only looked at Escherichia coli, abbreviated as E. coli. This bacterium is found in the intestines of wild animals, pets, and humans. The presence of E. coli in water indicates contamination with fecal matter. Because we have many wild birds, beavers, muskrats, and other animals that live on and around Taylor Pond we would expect to find some E. Coli. We are fortunate that most houses around Taylor Pond tie into Auburn’s sewer system and only a few homes around the pond rely on septic systems. Therefore, we are not likely to have significant amounts of E. coli due to human waste. The concern with the presence of E. coli is that if it is human in origin, other bacteria, viruses or parasites could cause disease.
Lake water is generally not considered safe to drink without at least chlorination to kill the bacteria. For drinking water, no level of E. coli is considered acceptable. For swimming, levels up to 88 (colonies of E. coli/100 milliliters) should not be exceeded in any one sample and no more than 47 on average of three samples over a 60-day period.
When Bill Turner performed testing in 2022, he found that E. coli levels ranged from 5 to 114. Of five samples taken, none were free of E. coli. He tested levels at the outlet on two occasions. We thought that the outlet would have an average amount of E. coli because it represented a mixture of all the water in the pond. On the two occasions he measured it, the numbers came back at 72 and 55, both below the acceptable level of 88 but above the 60-day average of 47 considered safe for swimming. On a private beach he obtained levels that ranged from 15 to 114. One measurement in the middle of the pond came back at the low of 5.
It is concerning that levels of E. coli exceed maximum levels recommended for safe swimming in certain areas at certain times last year. The drought and associated low water levels may have been an important factor. It is reassuring that most homes are connected to the city’s sewer, likely indicating that most of the E. coli found is wildlife in origin and not a hazard to humans. Anecdotally, I swim almost daily in Taylor Pond during the summer without any ill effects.
You can take certain actions to decrease your risk of disease. If you have a septic system, have an expert check to make sure it is functioning properly, especially if it is an aging system. Avoid attracting ducks, geese or other wildlife that will leave their feces on your lawn or waterfront. Finally, if you want to be certain that the water is safe, you can test the water in your swimming area. A&L Laboratory, 155 Center Street in Auburn performed the E. coli testing undertaken by TPA and will test your water samples for a fee. You can pick up a water quality test kit at the lab or order online. As with testing well water, they can test for various bacteria/minerals and the price will vary according to the tests you request.
On April 13 of this year, The Sun Journal published an article detailing the relationship between ice cover on Lake Auburn and water quality. This scenario applies equally to Taylor Pond. The less time a body of water is covered with ice, the longer the time for sunlight and warmth to stimulate algae growth and degrade water quality. Unfortunately, the effects of global warming have been reducing the duration of beneficial ice cover.
Ice melts from the shore, April 4, 2022.
“Ice-out” dates for Taylor Pond have been recorded since 1969. In 2018, recognizing the importance of having “ice-in” data as well, we started recording the date, although it’s sometimes hard to pinpoint exactly . We can now calculate the total number of days that the pond is iced in and therefore less supportive of algae growth, however, we don’t have much historical data. We are responsible for reporting both dates to the Lake Stewards of Maine (www.lakestewardsofmaine.org) for compilation with data from ponds and lakes all over the state.
The average “ice-out” date for Taylor Pond since 1969 is April 14th. The records reveal that recently ice-out has been occurring earlier, with April 11th being the average for the last 15 years. The average “ice-in” date since 2018 is December 24th. However, there were two years – 2016 and 2021 – when total ice-in didn’t occur until well into January making for very short periods of total ice cover.
In the short time that ice-in has been recorded, the average number of days that the pond is totally covered with ice is 110 days – the shortest being 83 days and the longest 137 days. This year we had 104 days of ice cover, which looks good compared to the 70 days reported in the Sun Journal for Lake Auburn. To take a quote from the paper, “the less time the lake is covered in ice, the more likely the lake will have problems later in the year.” We hope that 104 days translates into another good year for Taylor Pond.
We had a successful day despite drenching rain, wind and cool weather, we visited over 800 properties in the watershed. We had seven teams of three or more people who spread out over the area in seven separate sectors to cover over 13 square miles. A technical expert led each team, four paid for by Taylor Pond Association (TPA) and three paid for by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Twenty-four volunteers provided valuable assistance. A team with Alaina Chormann from the DEP, Emma Lorusso from Androscoggin Soil and Water Conservation District; Barbara Mitchell and Dana Little from the board of Taylor Pond Association, led the effort. Results will be tabulated by Emma and presented to TPA when completed. Sites of soil erosion into the pond were identified and each given a priority score based on the severity of the problem. Once the final report is completed, the TPA board will have a blueprint on how to keep our pond healthy.
The survey team before heading out.A survey site being photographed and prioritized.Walking a property to assess for erosion.
Taylor Pond Association (TPA) plans to conduct a watershed survey on Saturday June 3rd. The last survey was conducted in 2006. We are working with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Androscoggin Soil and Water Conservation District. The goal is to identify areas of erosion that carry phosphorus into Taylor Pond which can cause a decline in water quality.
Using the results of this survey, individuals and road associations can then apply for grants from TPA or through Maine’s DEP 319 grant program to fix identified problems.
The Information collected will not be used for enforcement or regulatory purposes. A follow-up letter will be sent to owners identified as having a significant problem with information on how to obtain help to fix the problem.
We have contracted with seven technical experts who will be leading teams of two to three volunteers on each of seven sectors in the Taylor Pond watershed areas of Minot and Auburn. We will be visiting every property in the area unless the owner opts out.We are looking for volunteers. Each volunteer will be trained in a live Zoom/webinar on May 31st from 1-3 pm or with a video at your convenience. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Dana Little at [email protected].
This report summarizes the findings of the 2022 water quality monitoring program for Taylor Pond in Auburn, Maine (MIDAS ID#3750).
Clarity readings and water quality measurements were conducted monthly from June through September by Woody Trask with additional clarity readings taken mid-May to late September by Michael Heskanen.
Since 2004, Taylor Pond Association has been collecting its own water samples and performing most tests. Phosphorus analyses are conducted by the DHHS Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory.
Result summary: 2022 was an exceptionally good year for Taylor Pond. A record high single clarity reading (7.38m) and a new high average clarity reading (6.12m) were recorded. In addition, there was a low level of coloration especially in June and September. Both conditions might be attributed to having had very little precipitation; hence less run-off and infiltration.
The average 5 meter core sample phosphorus reading was lower than last year, but slightly higher than the historical average. The average 12 meter bottom phosphorus reading was much higher than last year due to a very high reading in September (an anomaly?). All other monthly readings were in the low to normal range.
Values for pH, alkalinity and conductance where all within the normal range of variation from the historic mean.
The average surface temperature taken at 1 meter depth was 23.9°C (75°F), 0.6°C (1.1°F) higher than last year and 1.0°C (1.8°F) higher than the average for the past 10 years. In spite of the high temperatures, there were no algal blooms reported in 2022.
“Ice in” occurred on January 11, 2021, about a month later than last year, and the “ice out” date was April 4th making for a much shorter than average iced-over period. The historical average for “ice out” is April 14.
Color: Organic material that remains from dead plants and animals provides most of the water color. Lakes drained by areas with more coniferous forests tend to be brown in color due to the slow degradation of the leaves of these trees. Taylor Pond had a color measurement of 15.0, which is significantly lower than last year’s average of 21.25 and lower than the mean for all Maine lakes of 28. When the color is greater than 25 a lake is considered “colored” and the transparency is reduced.
PH: A measure of the acid-base status of the pond. Taylor Pond had a pH of 7.0 in 2022 which is slightly higher than the mean of 6.82 for all Maine Lakes. Acid rain caused by industrial pollutants can cause the pH in lakes to drop below 6. This drop in pH kills off the healthy zooplankton (microscopic animals) leading to death of fish and overgrowth of algae. The pH of Taylor Pond has been very stable year to year.
Alkalinity: A measure of the capacity of the water to buffer against a change in the pH. Taylor Pond’s alkalinity in 2022 was 20.0 compared to a mean for all Maine lakes of 11.9. This indicates that our pond is unlikely to have a problem with acidity. The level of alkalinity in Taylor Pond has remained constant and is not of concern.
Conductance: Conductance indirectly measures the relative number of dissolved ions in the water — the higher the concentration of ions the greater the conductance. Conductance is used as a rough estimate of the amount of pollutants which usually are present as ions. Although conductance is easy to measure it is not considered highly reliable. Taylor Pond’s conductance for 2022 was 114 compared to a historical mean of 91.9 and a mean of 46 for all Maine lakes.
Total Phosphorous: A phosphorus analysis provides the most reliable measure of the capacity of Taylor Pond to have an algal bloom. Algae in Maine waters tend to be limited by the phosphorous content of the water. If provided with enough phosphorous, algae grows rapidly. Algae cause depletion of oxygen in the water which kills animal life, colors the water green and when it dies creates unpleasant odors. Taylor Pond’s phosphorous was done using a 5 meter core and bottom grab sampling technique. Taylor Pond’s core sample phosphorous readings this year averaged 10.75 µg/L which is comparable to the historical mean of 10.26 and lower than the 12 reported for all Maine lakes. In 2022 there were no 5 meter core results close to the 15 µg/L level that can initiate algal blooms. Lakes are categorized as oligotrophic (low level of biologic productivity), mesotrophic (intermediate) or eutrophic (high biologic productivity) based on how much phosphorous they contain. A lake with a phosphorous of less than 10 is considered oligotrophic, between 10 and 30 is considered mesotrophic and over 30 is considered eutrophic.
The bottom grab sample average of 52.8 µg/L was much higher than last year’s average due to an abnormally high September ready of 150 µg/L.
Secchi Disk: Secchi disk readings provide the easiest method for measuring the clarity of the water. Algae, zooplankton (microscopic animals), natural water color and suspended soil all reduce the transparency of the water. Algae cause most of the change in transparency in Taylor Pond, but pine pollen at times is also a major contributor. The mean transparency for 2022 was 6.12 meters, about one meter higher than last year, much higher than the historic average for Taylor Pond of 4.74 and higher than the historical average for all Maine lakes.
Trophic State: This is a measure of the biologic productivity of the pond — the higher the number, the more biologically productive the lake and typically the poorer the water quality. The scale ranges from zero to over 100. Ponds in the range between 40 and 50 are considered mesotrophic (moderately productive). Values greater than 50 are associated with eutrophy (high productivity) and values less than 40 are associated with oligotrophy (low productivity). Taylor Pond measured at 33.9 by Secchi Disk readings and 38.4 by phosphorous readings (considered the most accurate). Taylor Pond’s Trophic State as measured by the Secchi disk is lower than the state average of 45.
Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Profiles: The amount of dissolved oxygen is measured at the surface and at one meter depth intervals monthly throughout the summer. Generally down to a depth of 5 meters the oxygen level remains at a high enough level to sustain all animals. Below 5 meters the oxygen levels early in the summer are high, but as the summer progresses the oxygen levels drop to levels (below 5 ppm) unable to sustain fish and other aquatic animals. Warm water fish (such as Sunfish, Perch, Pickerel and Bass) have no difficulty in Taylor Pond because they stay near the surface where the water is well oxygenated. Cold water fish (such as Trout and Salmon) need the deeper colder water, below 20 degrees Celsius, to thrive. By July or August, this colder, deeper water no longer contains enough oxygen for fish. In addition to the difficulty for fish, oxygen depletion near the bottom of the pond tends to release phosphorous into the water. This is demonstrated by the higher phosphorous levels found in the bottom grab samples by the middle of the summer. The oxygen depletion found below 4-8 meters was less than what we have measured historically and is consistent with lower phosphorus readings, less coloration and higher clarity. The DO and Temperature profiles for 2022 are on a separate chart (attached).
Conclusions: The conclusion is that 2022 was a better than average year for Taylor Pond as shown by all the quality indicators: phosphorus, clarity and color. The water quality of Taylor Pond is considered to be average compared to other Maine lakes. The potential for an algal bloom continues to be low to moderate, with the average Phosphorus of 10.75 µg/L for 2022 being in line with the historical average. Taylor Pond remains one of the 181 Maine lakes on the Maine Department of Environmental Protections Nonpoint Source Priority Watershed list. This list contains those lakes considered to be threatened or impaired by nonpoint source pollution from land use activities on the surrounding watershed. In addition the Stormwater Management Law considers Taylor Pond to be a lake “most at risk”.
Taylor Pond fails to meet standards for the highest water quality due to the depletion of oxygen found at depths below 5 meters during the summer (see DO/Temp chart). In addition, phosphorous levels historically remain just below the threshold of 15 which can trigger an algal bloom. Monitoring of Taylor Pond has been conducted regularly since 1975. During this time there has been no consistent trend in the parameters measured. Since 2004, the years Taylor Pond has been monitored by volunteers, there have been no appreciable algae blooms.
Because of the shallow depth of the pond (mean depth 17 feet) and low flushing rate (1.34 flushes per year, the number of times the water, on average, empties from the pond) Taylor Pond will likely always remain vulnerable to phosphorous loading and therefore algal blooms. Because of oxygen depletion of deep water during the summer, the pond will likely never sustain a cold water fishery. Finally, each new structure or expansion of an existing structure, whether a home, garage, driveway, road, lawn or beach, potentially increases the phosphorous loading of the pond.
Taylor Pond continues to have many attractive qualities. The shallow depth means that it quickly warms in the summer to provide excellent swimming close to the towns of Auburn and Lewiston. It freezes quickly in the winter to provide skating, skiing and ice fishing during the winter. It has an abundant bass, pickerel, and recently pike populations that thrive in its warm waters and attract people who enjoy fishing. The Department of Marine Resources considers the pond to be prime spawning habitat for alewives and trucks adult fish above the dams on the Androscoggin River into Taylor Pond. It has a naturally high level of biologic productivity that sustains an abundant wildlife population for all to enjoy. It remains a place that never ceases to astound us with its beauty.
METHODOLOGY:
Samples are collected at the deepest point in the pond. This point has been determined previously and the historic location has been noted on maps available to the samplers along with GPS coordinates. This spot is reached by boat and verified each time by visual triangulation or GPS reading. In addition to visual triangulation an ultrasound depth meter is used before collecting core and grab samples. Grab samples are taken using a Van Dorn Water Sampler. Core samples are taken with a core sampler home-manufactured from a 50 foot flexible PVC tube. The method for grab samples at a specified depth and core samples are done according to the protocol of the Maine Bureau of Land and Water Quality, Division of Environmental Assessment.
COLOR: Performed on core samples using a Hach color wheel (CO 20-100) and units are in Standard Platinum Units (SPU).
PH: Performed on core samples using a Hach Bromothymol Blue test kit for pH.
CONDUCTANCE: Performed on core samples using a HM Digital, Inc. Model COM-100 water quality tester for EC/TDS/Temp. Conductivity is measured in uS/cm.
ALKALINITY: Performed on core samples using a titration method with a Hach color wheel measured in milligram per liter.
PHOSPHOROUS: Performed on core samples and bottom grab samples. Samples are collected in the field, refrigerated and sent to the DHHS lab by mail. Measurements are in micrograms per Liter (parts per billion). The results are the average of four samples taken once a month from June to September.
SECCHI DISK: Performed using the method taught by the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. Only certified users performed this task. Measurements of depth are in meters.
DISSOLVED OXYGEN: Performed in the field using a YSI 550A DO meter with 13 meter probe which measures temperature and dissolved oxygen from the surface to maximum depth. The sampler and meter is yearly certified by the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program as to method and accuracy. Measurements of dissolved oxygen are in milligrams per liter (mg/l). Water temperature is recorded at each depth tested.
TROPHIC STATE: Carlson’s Trophic State Index (TSI) is used in these calculations. For Secchi disk depth TSI = 60 – 14.41 x (Natural Log of Secchi disk depth in meters). For total phosphorus TSI = 14.42 x (Natural Log of total phosphorous) + 4.15.
The 2022 Annual Meeting was called to order at 7 pm at Taylor Pond Yacht Club with 48 participants.
President’s Report (Dana Little) Dana welcomed participants, noting that it was nice to be meeting in person again for the first time since 2019 and reviewing a few highlights:
• volunteers have increased water quality monitoring to watch potential issues related to a new Horse Farm in the watershed and tree clearing at TPYC. Testing thus far does not show sustained adverse results.
•this summer’s significant drought has left some concerned about the low water level; the engineering consultant who did a study for TPA several years ago roughly estimates the cost to build a dam to supplement natural beaver dams at $200-250,000 and $30,000 for design; no plan to pursue this at this time, with the hope that a better winter snowfall and summer rain will improve level next year.
•There seem to be a lot of Browntail moths this year. With property on the waterfront, it is important not to spray infected trees. If needed, a professional can be hired to inject the tree for treatment. Spraying for mosquitoes is also discouraged near the water.
•LakeSmart evaluations and grants are available to TPA members interested in planning their landscaping to benefit the pond’s ecology. Interested property owners or road associations should contact Dana to schedule an evaluation. Lake friendly improvements made following recommendations will be reimbursed with up to $500 in a matching grant. Easy, low-cost basic practices that all property owners can follow are to avoid lawn fertilizers/pesticides, plant clover in your lawn which naturally adds nitrogen, and grow/cut lawns to 3 inches.
•Testing for e coli on the pond this summer confirms that the water is definitely not potable, but did not reveal worrisome levels in the few areas tested. That said, results will be different across the pond, with water in areas of high use by people or pets of greater concern. Testing in your immediate swimming area is really the best way to be safe.
Treasurer’s Report (Ed Gray)
Current balance of funds is approximately $40,600. This year a record high 160 members (out of 227 property owners) paid annual dues. Regular costs paid this year included design, printing and mailing of the annual newsletter, water testing, memberships in organizations (LSM and Maine Lakes), filings, and office expenses.
Water Quality Report-Woody Trask
Water quality continues to maintain historic levels. Water quality readings are reported online to Lake Stewards of Maine and the report for 2021 can be viewed on our website. (The 2022 complete report will be available later this year once all results are complete and analyzed.) Lake Stewards of Maine is a nonprofit monitoring and advocacy organization located in Auburn; they offer training and are a good resource for residents who want to learn more about preserving natural water resources. This summer water has been particularly clear, with a record high reading of 7.58 meters. It is possible that the lack of rain contributed to clarity, as well as the large number of natural springs feeding the pond. The water in Taylor Pond turns over every 1.3 years, mitigating any quality issues. Lake Auburn’s water only turns over every 4-7 years, so there are more potential issues with quality.
Secretary’s Report (Luci Merin)
The minutes of the 2021 Annual Meeting were distributed at the meeting and available on the TPA website ahead of the meeting. Dana Little made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Ed Gray and approved unanimously.
The slate of nominees for two-year terms (to end Summer 2024) to the the Board of Directors was presented:
•New Members: Mary Ann Ashton, Michelle Cullen
•Renewing Members: Dana Little, Larry Faiman, Ed Gray, Bill Turner, Kristi Norcross, Donna Morin
A motion to elect the slate of nominees to the Board was made by Peter Bingham, seconded by Pat Garcia, and approved unanimously.
(Board Members Brian Cullen, Luci Merin, Barbara Mitchell and Woody Trask continue to serve terms that expire Summer 2023.)
Other Business
Peter Garcia, on behalf of Taylor Pond Yacht Club, extended an open invitation to Taylor Pond residents to join weekly summer Sunday sailing regattas hosted by TPYC. For more details check out TPYC website or call Peter.
Guest Speaker: John Blais, Deputy Director of Planning and Permitting, City of Auburn
Mr. Blais comes to his role in Auburn with varied experience, including that of a watershed project director and full-service guide specializing in freshwater fishing. Regarding the fishing in Taylor Pond, he noted that the invasive Northern Pike have come down from Cobbossee Lake and the Androscoggin River. In his experience, the Pike have not affected the populations of Small and Large Mouth Bass, which are common in Taylor Pond. He noted that he recommends abandoning the older rubber worms as bait as they break apart easily, end up in the water and pose a danger to the ecology. A newer material called ElaZtech is stronger and more environmentally friendly–unlike most other soft plastic baits, ElaZtech contains no PVC, plastisol or phthalates, and is non-toxic.
Taylor Pond is 653 acres in area, but the Taylor Pond Watershed includes 4,700 acres. A map of the TP watershed was distributed as part of a discussion about zoning changes being proposed in Auburn and an approved change to the phosphorus control ordinance requiring any new building or structure in the watershed to have a phosphorus control plan if the project has more than 200 square feet of ground floor area (previously 575 sf). When applying for a building permit, properties in the watershed will be held to this new standard designed to protect water quality by preventing direct runoff of rainwater into the pond. Phosphorus, while naturally occurring in the ground, provides energy and food for algae and grasses to grow in bodies of water. A handout detailed several best practices and options to address runoff. The City of Auburn will provide free assistance to any project between 200-600 square feet to create a plan using best practices/ low impact development practices such as rain barrels, rain gardens, swales and vegetative buffers as detailed on the handout. (Projects over 1,000 sq feet will need to hire an engineer to create a phosphorus control plan.) Regarding vegetative buffers, there is an option to register the buffer with the City so that it becomes a permanent part of the property deed and cannot be removed by future owners. You do not have to register an existing buffer, but the city will tie it to the deed at the property owner’s request.
Not as a punitive measure, but as a means to protect Auburn’s water resources, the City has compiled information on all the homes that have phosphorus control plans and intends to follow up to ensure that best practices continue to be followed in the watershed.
In answer to questions about private road maintenance on the pond, keeping a crowned road is the best practice to mitigate runoff. Without getting into individual issues on specific roads, it was noted that there are benefits to both gravel and paved roads ( if they have the right base of 18 inches of gravel). Regarding the dust connected with gravel roads, it was suggested that 5-10% of the top layer of the road be made up of “fines”–clay or ground up reclaimed asphalt to keep the dust down. To the larger question of funding for road improvements around the pond, Maine DEP funding through the Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Control Grants (“319”) was mentioned, if road associations worked together. Taylor Pond qualifies as a priority watershed and could apply to first develop a watershed-based plan and then to implement it.
In answer to question about the change in the Lake Auburn Watershed lines made by the City, it was noted that the existing use in the contested area (a gravel pit) has no required mitigating practices in place to address runoff. New construction, he predicts, will create half the impact of the current use due to required landscaping and state regulations that require a percentage of standing trees remain on new lot developments.
Addressing browntail moth problems, tree removal could potentially be approved (even though it is on the shore) with a plan to replace the tree with a vegetative buffer. In any case, having lawn all the way down to the water is not good practice. Alternate suggestions include planting hostas or blueberries on the shore and using erosion control mulch (ground up bark mulch). The Lake Book, recently reprinted in a 4th Edition by Maine Lakes, is a great resource for this and many other freshwater preservation issues. (A PDF file can be accessed online at the Maine Lakes website, https://www.lakes.me/lakebook or order a hard copy from the same website.)
Mr. Blais invited TPA members to call or email him with questions at any time. He can be reached at [email protected] or 207.333.6601 x1334 On behalf of the membership, Dana thanked Mr. Blais for his excellent presentation and time answering so many questions.
Whether your idea of summer on Taylor Pond includes boating, floating, paddling, fishing, sailing, or simply relaxing in a deck chair on solid ground, you count on its clean water and accessible shoreline to get the most out of every precious summer day. We all do. Of all the issues on TPA agendas over the years, none is more consistent and more important than water quality. It is no accident that our water is clear; it’s thanks to the stewardship of us all.
One of the best ways to maintain water quality is from the shore. TPA offers help to property owners who want to make their shoreline more lake friendly. Free property evaluations and matching grants up to $500 are available to members. Participation is completely voluntary. Property owners can opt out at any time (i.e. they are not required to implement any improvement suggestions and the property evaluation is purely educational, not regulatory).
Evaluations do advise property owners on Maine’s shoreland zoning law and include customized recommendations for property improvements that will keep the pond healthy such as:
Preventing rain runoff from directly entering the pond
Planting a buffer along the shore
Leaving grass at least three inches long when cutting
Avoiding pesticides and fertilizers
Reducing lawn sizes
Homeowners (or road associations) who do want to apply for a matching grant (up to $500) will follow these steps:
An initial, free LakeSmart property evaluation
Make improvements as recommended in the written evaluation
Provide proof of associated costs
Not make changes to the property that would worsen its score
Have a follow up evaluation to ensure satisfactory work
To find out more or schedule a LakeSmart evaluation, call Kristi Norcross at 577-6408.
This spring Taylor Pond Association tested the stream that crosses the Taylor Pond Yacht Club property and found high levels of phosphorus draining into the pond. High levels of phosphorus can cause algae blooms that threaten our water quality. It is not certain what caused these high levels but they did coincide with spring runoff following a timber harvest. Woody Trask and I have been investigating the possible cause.
In late 2021, TPA was alerted to two possible causes of increased erosion and potential phosphorus runoff into Taylor Pond. Underwood Farm, off West Auburn Road, cleared trees around a feeder stream supplying Lapham Brook, the main inlet for Taylor Pond. This clearing violated Best Management Practices for erosion control. The City of Auburn became concerned because of the potential to pollute Lake Auburn. As a result, The city required Underwood Farm to develop a phosphorus control plan. The plan requires a 75-foot buffer on each side of the stream. In addition, they need to comply with a manure management plan that involves removing all manure and trucking it off site on a regular basis. Followup investigation of runoff suggested that little water from the farm makes its way to Lake Auburn and that it primarily drains into Taylor Pond.
A second area of concern arose this winter when Taylor Pond Yacht Club conducted an extensive timber harvest on their 44 acres. A small stream courses through the property and empties into Taylor Pond. The harvesting machinery crossed the stream using a temporary bridge and erosion of the bank was visible at the site. In addition, trees were harvested on both sides of the brook and
deeply rutted trails were created with the potential for soil, and therefore phosphorus, washing into the pond.
Because of these two issues we began testing for phosphorus in selected feeder streams to Taylor Pond. We had not been testing feeder streams prior to last year. For the last 36 years we have been testing the water at the deepest spot on the pond using techniques taught to us by the Auburn Water District and Lake Stewards of Maine. Lake Auburn has had its feeder streams tested for years and their technicians provided us with expertise to test Taylor Pond’s streams. We sent the water samples to the state lab in Augusta and A&L Lab in Auburn for testing.
Initially, we just checked Lapham Brook and obtained a level of 8 (parts per billion) in December and this rose to 12 in March. By comparison, the average phosphorus last year in Taylor Pond was 12 (the 36-year average was 10.25). Levels in this range will not typically cause harmful algal blooms. This provided some small reassurance that Underwood Farm was not causing problems for Taylor Pond.
We then tested the brook crossing Taylor Pond Yacht Club property in January, prior to spring runoff, and we obtained a level of 4. However, in March, after the completion of timber harvesting, this rose to 37. This high level was obtained after a rain event and the snow had mostly melted. If all streams leading into Taylor Pond had levels this high, we could face a significant algal bloom. Algae can not only be unsightly and decrease home values, but they can also produce toxins that can be harmful to pets, people and wildlife.
On April 19th we repeated the testing on the Taylor Pond Yacht Club stream and Hodgkin’s Brook just after another heavy rain event. We tested Hodgkin’s Brook because it is another small feeder stream running into Taylor Pond. The results for the Yacht Club stream came back at 8 and Hodgkin’s Brook at 7 for phosphorus. This reassured us that high levels of phosphorus are still not entering the pond. Actions have been taken by Wylie Mitchell to reduce the likelihood of further erosion into the Yacht Club stream, using hay bales as barriers, spreading hay and seeds on exposed soil. Taylor Pond Association will continue to monitor feeder streams regularly and as needed if concerns are raised.
On behalf of the TPA board of directors, I am happy to share some of our activities in support of TPA’s mission this year, as well as raise a few topics to keep you aware of activities related to preserving the ecology of Taylor Pond.
THREATS TO THE POND’S HEALTH
We were alerted to two threats to Taylor Pond’s health this last year—construction of a new horse farm on West Auburn Road and logging at Taylor Pond Yacht Club. As a result, we started monitoring for pollution entering the pond via feeder streams that drain these two properties. We found no evidence of contamination from the horse farm activities but were alarmed by elevated levels of phosphorus from the Yacht Club stream. Fortunately, these elevated levels have since dropped to normal, but we will continue to monitor and report back. You can read more about this on page 8, in addition to a summary of pending zoning changes which may affect properties on Taylor Pond written by board member Barbara Mitchell on page 7.
PHOSPHOROUS CONTROL ORDINANCE
In relation to water quality threats, one of our board members, attorney Brian Cullen, brings clarity to the City of Auburn’s phosphorus control ordinance in an article on page 9. The rules become applicable when new construction involves more than 250 square feet of ground floor area or with certain earthmoving, tree or brush cutting or paving activities. When one seeks a permit for such activities, the city’s planning department will guide you through the process.
WATER QUALITY AND WARMING
Another board member, retired professional chemist Woody Trask, writes about water quality testing on page 13. His report shows the levels of phosphorus in the pond remain stable with an average in 2021 of 12, below the level of 15 at which algal blooms can
occur. Records of ice in and out dates are showing a trend toward later ice in and earlier ice out dates. This trend has also been seen in Lake Auburn and many other Maine lakes and is consistent with global warming. The monitors also measure the water temperature which shows an upward trend over the last fifty years. With less ice cover on Taylor Pond warming will occur leading to an increased likelihood of algal blooms.
$500 LAKESMART MATCHING FUNDS
I serve as our pond’s local contact for LakeSmart, a volunteer run program run by the nonprofit organization Maine Lakes. Last year, I visited two homes, showed owners how to make their property more lake friendly, and helped them each earn $500 grants. Taylor Pond Association will match up to $500 of your expenditures if you are a member, have a LakeSmart evaluation, follow the recommendations made and do nothing to worsen your impact on the lake. If you are interested, please contact me danawl585@ gmail.com or Kristi Norcross Knorcross@
roadrunner.com or 207-577-6408.
FIREWORKS
According to fire department “Consumer fireworks in the City of Auburn are a violation of city ordinance and carry a fine of $200 to $1,000 for each violation. This includes firecrackers, bottle rockets, and missiles.” Please celebrate safely this summer.
BOATING
The most common violation of boating laws that we see on the pond is excessive speed. Within 200 feet of shoreline watercraft may only travel at headway speed which is defined as the minimum speed necessary to maintain steerage of the watercraft. Boaters are responsible for maintaining a safe distance from swimmers and other boats and for the effects of their wakes on the shoreline and other watercraft.
LOON NESTING
Loons enjoy our pond as much as we do. Unfortunately, we rarely see any breeding success. Although there are usually a half dozen loons on the pond, the last observed chick was several years ago. I have seen chicks on ponds smaller than ours, so it is not our size that inhibits them. I suspect it is the degree to which the shoreline is built up with homes. Michael Heskanen and Peter Durgin last year constructed a floating nest to encourage the loons to breed here. The nest is located at the mouth of Lapham Brook, and we encourage you not to disturb the site.
SWIMMER’S ITCH (AND FEEDING DUCKS)
I love all the birds we have on Taylor Pond and you can read about them in my article on page 10. There are two health issues with having birds too close to us, however. Swimmer’s itch is caused by a parasite that depends on ducks pooping in the water which releases the parasite’s eggs. The eggs hatch and then the parasite lives in snails before they drop into the water and crawl into the exposed skin of a swimmer. They cause an itchy rash that can last several weeks. Keeping the ducks away and drying your skin with a towel as soon as leaving the water will usually prevent problems. There is also a new influenza virus carried by birds that so far seems not to infect people but has caused the death of millions of chickens across the country. In both cases bird poop is the agent by which these diseases are spread. Once you start feeding the ducks you invite both infections into your home.
BROWNTAIL MOTHS
Unfortunately, Taylor Pond resides in the middle of a zone of widespread Browntail Moth infestations. Three years ago, I observed them nearly denuding the trees above Kohl’s along Gracelawn Road and I acquired an itchy rash that lasted 3 weeks from their urticarial
hairs. Their hand-sized silvery web nests can be spotted at the tops of numerous oaks and fruit trees around the pond. The State of Maine maintains an excellent website and professionals who can advise you on management of this pest. The preferred technique for removal is hand removal of the winter nests. Spraying pesticides anywhere near the shoreline is illegal. I recommend hiring a licensed pesticide applicator if you decide you cannot tolerate them. There is a technique used by experts in which trees close to the water can be injected safely to kill the caterpillars. So far, I have preferred to leave them for the Cuckoos to eat.
