2023 Winter Newsletter - Harriman Pond

FALL/WINTER 2023

Hello, Harriman Pond Neighbors!

In 2023, there was much going on at the Pond. Despite the rainy summer, folks were swimming and boating, counting loons, and meeting up with neighbors. Earlier this year we asked for your input about starting a Harriman Pond Association and feedback was positive, so we will move forward with developing this voluntary Association. The mission will help us collectively do what each of us is doing individually: protect the pond. Our mission is to work with landowners around the pond to protect and improve the water quality of the pond and watershed through education, action, and preservation while respecting the interests of property owners. The Association will also provide the opportunity for fellowship among members.

The 319 grant we obtained with Branch Lake Association is already improving drainage and reducing runoff. There is still an opportunity for you to use these funds. More info below!

Example of infiltration steps and a curved path to the lake installed by lake residents to improve erosion control. These steps slow down water and allow it to seep into the soil instead of rush to the lake. Courtesy S. Nelson

New law: Clean Drain, Dry

In 2023, Maine passed a law requiring boaters to clean, drain, and dry their boats and equipment to protect Maine waters from invasive plants and animals. This applies if you have taken your boat to other bodies of water, or if you have renters/guests who bring boats from elsewhere. CLEAN plant debris, mud and algae from all boating and fishing gear and dispose in trash. DRAIN live well, bilge water, and engine water away from waterbody. DRY any gear that comes into contact with water.
Read more at: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/docs/ Clean%20Drain%20Dry%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions.pdf

Update on 319 grant work to maintain our water quaility and habitat
As part of the Branch Lake & Harriman Pond 319 grant, the Town
of Dedham did substantial work to improve ditching and culverts on Bald Mountain Road. They used best practices for erosion control, excavating the ditch, armoring it with riprap (large rocks) and check dams to slow water, enlarging the culverts, and planting grass along the edge to allow water to infiltrate. This addressed the known, high-priority issue with runoff flooding across the road and causing erosion. Thank you to Dedham and Road Commissioner Craig for the matching funds and great work!

Several landowners have had assessments of what they can do to better protect the pond, from planting more along the shore to combat erosion to installing infiltration steps or working on driveways. Approved projects can qualify for match funding.
Contact Jeff Norment (jnorment@hancockcountyswcd.org) if you
want him to take a look at your property. This is all voluntary and
you can choose how much is reasonable given your situation.

Water Quality Update

Thanks to the care folks are taking to maintain buffers and follow best practices for work on shoreline property, our pond’s water quality held
steady.
• Water clarity averaged 8.1 meters (27 feet!) in 2023 which keeps it in the top tier of lake clarity in Maine.
• Total phosphorus, which can signal problems with nutrient levels in the lake, has been between 3-4 micrograms per liter over the past 5 summers, a low number that we want to maintain!

Loon Update!

Though we did not have a nesting pair this summer, we did end the summer with a pair of adults and a youngster. They must have flown in from another lake (but not Moulton Pond), and could be seen still feeding the “baby” this fall.

Thank you!

Hans Kersten, Sarah Nelson