The ice is starting to form on Taylor Pond and the open water is slowly disappearing. A variety of ducks stop off on their migration south. Mallards, Common Loons, Wood Ducks, Hooded and Common Mergansers all breed on the pond in the summer. In the fall, Ring-neck Ducks, Common Goldeneye, Buffleheads and Ruddy Ducks will appear. Flocks of Canada Geese find shelter on the pond in the evenings after feeding in distant fields. Their honking calls can be heard at night as they talk to each other.
by Woody Trask
This report summarizes the findings of the 2024 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 June into October 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:
Whereas 2023 was an exceptionally poor year for Taylor Pond, 2024 was very good especially with regard to color and clarity and almost as good as 2022 which was the best year recorded. The highest clarity reading was 6.25m, which compares to a high of 5.65 in 2023. The average of all clarity readings was 5.65m which is 1.4m higher than last year’s average reading. The water had much less coloration than 2023 with an average color value of 18.75 versus 2023’s value over 31. Last year’s high numbers were attributed to very heavy rain events with significant particulate transport into the pond. 2024 had few significant rain events.
The average 5 meter core sample phosphorus reading was slightly lower/better than last year’s average but slightly higher than the historical average. The average 12 meter bottom phosphorus reading was lower than in 2023 and lower than the historic average.
Values for pH and alkalinity where all within the normal range of variation from the historic mean. The conductivity was quite a bit lower than both last year’s reading and the historical average, most likely due to the relatively dry summer with less mineral import into the pond.
The average surface temperature taken at 1 meter depth was 24.8oC (76.6°F), which is 2.6°C (4.7°F) higher than last year and 3°C (5.3°F) higher than the average for the past 15 years. This was due primarily to the July reading of 29.1°C (84.4°F), the highest recorded in the last 15 years.
There were no algal blooms reported in 2024.
“Ice-in” didn’t occur until January 9, 2024. The “ice-out” date was March 15th, a whole month earlier than the historic average of April 14th, 4 days earlier than the previous record giving an “ice cover” period of only 66 days. Longer periods of ice cover are considered beneficial to the health of ponds, however it didn’t seem to have an adverse effect for this year.
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.Learn More
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.