Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan

WILSON LAKE WATERSHED-BASED PROTECTION PLAN

MAY 2017

Friends of Wilson Lake P.O. Box 560 Wilton, ME 04294 http://www.friendsofwilsonlake.org

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

WILSON LAKE WATERSHED-BASED PROTECTION PLAN

Prepared for: Friends of Wilson Lake P.O. Box 560 Wilton, ME 04294 http://www.friendsofwilsonlake.org

Prepared by: Jennifer Jespersen Ecological Instincts P.O. Box 682 Manchester, ME 04351 www.ecoinstincts.com

Photos: All photos in this plan were provided courtesy of Susan Atwood, with the exception of the following- Tony Nazar (ice fishing photo, cover) and Pam Harnden, Sun Media Group (p. 4).

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Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The following people and organizations were instrumental in helping with the 2017 Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (WBPP): Watershed Protection Plan Steering Committee Members Peter Campion

Friends of Wilson Lake

Rhonda Irish

Town of Wilton

Rob Lively

Friends of Wilson Lake

Wynn Muller

Friends of Wilson Lake

Nancy Prince

Wilton Conservation Commission

Michael Sherrod

Town of Wilton

Funding: This WBPP was made possible in part by the Friends of Wilson Lake through generous contributions of its members. Thanks to Maine DEP staff for ongoing guidance and review. Meeting space was generously provided by the Wilson Lake Inn. Technical Support & Plan Development: Ecological Instincts & maps by WB GIS Services.

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Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

COMMONLY USED ACRONYMS The following acronyms are used throughout this document:

BMP

Best Management Practice

CBI

Courtesy Boat Inspector

CHL-A

Chlorophyll-a

FOWL

Friends of Wilson Lake

GIS

Geographical Information System

GPS

Global Positioning System

MDEP

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

MDOT

Maine Department of Transportation

MIDAS

Maine Information Display and Analysis System

MLS

Maine Lakes Society

NPS

Nonpoint Source (pollution)

ppb

Parts Per Billion

SDT

Secchi Disk Transparency

TP

Total Phosphorus

TSS

Total Suspended Sediments

TWP

Township

UMF

University of Maine at Farmington

US EPA

United States Environmental Protection Agency

USDA

United States Department of Agriculture

VLMP

Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program

WBPP

Watershed-Based Protection Plan

YCC

Youth Conservation Corps

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Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................................................. ii Commonly Used Acronyms ........................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................................................. iv Background..................................................................................................................................................... 1 Document Scope and Purpose .................................................................................................................................... 1 Lake & Watershed Information..................................................................................................................................... 1 Summary of Past Watershed Work to Address NPS Pollution .......................................................... 4 Identification of Causes or Sources of the NPS Threat............................................................... 5 Water Quality Summary .................................................................................................................................................... 5 Threatened Status ................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Watershed NPS Threats ................................................................................................................................................... 9 Watershed Protection Plan Goals and Objectives ...................................................................... 13 Schedule & Milestones to Guide Plan Implementation ............................................................ 14 Action Plan & Schedule ................................................................................................................................................... 14 Plan Outputs and Milestones ......................................................................................................................................22 Proposed Management Measures ..................................................................................................... 23 State, Town & Private Road Sites .............................................................................................................................23 Residential Sites ....................................................................................................................................................................24 Other Sites ..................................................................................................................................................................................25 Plan Oversight and Partner Roles ...................................................................................................... 26 Water Quality Results Monitoring ...................................................................................................... 27 Monitoring Activity, Frequency and Parameters ..........................................................................................27 Pollutant Load Reduction Estimates .....................................................................................................................27 Appendix A: Watershed Maps .............................................................................................................. 28 Appendix B: Mann-Kendall Trend Test Results ........................................................................... 32 Appendix C: Wilson Lake Watershed Survey Report ................................................................ 33

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Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

TABLES Table 1. Average annual water quality monitoring results for Wilson Lake at Station 1 (1974-2016). Data from MDEP. ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Table 2. Interior Pond Lake Type: Water Quality Parameter Ranges (Maine DEP)................... 7 Table 3. Statistical significance of long and short-term water quality data in Wilson Lake, Station 1. .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Table 4. Total number of NPS sites by land use and impact. .................................................................. 11 Table 5. List of prioritized sites in the Wilson Lake watershed. ............................................................. 12 Table 6. Wilson Lake Implementation Schedule .............................................................................................. 14 Table 7. Wilson Lake Watershed Action Plan (2017 - 2026)..................................................................... 18

FIGURES Figure 1. Map of the Wilson Lake watershed. ........................................................................................................ 2 Figure 2. Water quality monitoring stations in Wilson Lake. (LakesofMaine.org) ...................... 5 Figure 3. Long-term water clarity trend for Wilson Lake. (Ecological Instincts, data from LakesofMaine.org) ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Figure 4. Mann-Kendall trend test results using short-term and recent (2005 to 2014) water clarity data collected in Wilson Lake indicates a significant declining trend (Source: Maine DEP)................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Figure 5. Survey sector map for the 2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond watershed survey (Wilson Lake Sectors 1-6). ..................................................................................................... 10 Figure 6. Impact of NPS sites from the 2016 Wilson Lake Watershed Survey. ......................... 11

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Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

BACKGROUND DOCUMENT SCOPE AND PURPOSE The purpose of this Watershed-Based Protection Plan, herein referred to as the "Plan" or "WBPP", is to outline a plan and strategy for nonpoint source (NPS) pollution mitigation and water quality protection efforts in the Wilson Lake Watershed over the next 10 years (20172026).

This WBPP was developed to satisfy national watershed planning guidelines provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). US EPA requires nine-element plans for impaired watersheds, but allows alternative plans in several cases including for protection of high quality or unimpaired waters. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) accepts alternative plans for unimpaired lakes that have completed a recent watershed survey, provided that the plan follows US EPA and MDEP guidelines and minimum planning elements.

Wilson Lake meets these eligibility criteria because this plan was developed to include these required planning elements.

Information collected during the 2016 Wilson Lake Watershed Survey establishes a baseline of watershed conditions, and a starting point for plan development. A copy of the Watershed Survey Report is provided in Appendix C.

LAKE & WATERSHED INFORMATION Wilson Lake (a.k.a. Wilson Pond, Midas # 3682) is located in the foothills of Maine's western lakes and mountains in the Town of Wilton, Maine. The surface area of Wilson Lake covers approximately 479 acres, with a maximum depth of 88 feet1.

The Wilson Lake watershed covers approximately 26 square miles of land across six towns and townships (Wilton, Temple, Washington Twp., Perkins Twp., Carthage and Jay), though the majority of the watershed is located in Wilton and Temple (Figure 1). The large undeveloped upper watershed begins at Hills Pond in Perkins Plantation. The lake's outlet stream joins with several other small tributaries including Anderson Brook, Townshend Brook, Dakin Brook, Temple Brook, and Pine Brook which all flow into Wilson Stream.

1

Maine DEP Lake Report: reports/3682_WILSON%20P_1.pdf

Wilson

Lake,

created

1

7/16/2015.

Aerial View of Wilson Lake

http://www.lakesofmaine.org/data/2015-

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

Figure 1. Map of the Wilson Lake watershed.

2

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) While Wilson Stream is the major inlet to Wilson Lake, a few other small tributaries flow into Wilson Lake on the north end of the lake including Bates Brook. Wilson Stream flows through the lake, and also serves as the outlet on the south end of the lake. A dam on Wilson Stream controls flow at the outlet, as required by MDEP to maintain flow levels necessary for the outflow from the Wilton Water Treatment Plant downstream. This also affects lake level. The flushing rate of Wilson Lake is estimated at 2.58 flushes/year. Wilson Stream flows to the Sandy River and eventually into the Kennebec River and into the Gulf of Maine.

Land uses in the watershed include both managed and unmanaged forests, agriculture, residential development along roadways and along the shoreline, commercial development including the Wilson Lake Golf Club on the northeast shore, the Wilson Lake Inn on the west shore, and a large commercial complex adjacent to the town office on the east side of the lake.

Town-owned Kineowatha Park is another notable watershed feature, comprised of 62 acres of land on the east shore of the lake. There are approximately 131 shoreline properties on Wilson Lake serviced by state, town and private roads. Large state-owned roads in the watershed include Rt. 2 and Rt. 156. Of particular concern is the proximity of State Rt. 156 to Wilson Stream.

The road follows the stream for approximately six miles from Hanslip Rd. to Hills Pond.

Additional watershed features include the Foothills Land Conservancy property at the head of the lake. The Conservancy holds a conservation easement on 238 acres of land including a large wetland complex, a portion of which is used for agriculture. The two boat launches on Wilson Lake include a carry-in launch off Pond Rd. on the north end of the lake, and the larger public launch at the south end of the lake (See Appendix A for map of conserved lands).

The topography of the watershed is hilly to mountainous with several prominent peaks on the west side of the Aerial view of the Foothills Land watershed including: Law Mtn (1,706 ft), Browns Peak Conservancy easement on the north (1,586 ft), and Walker Hill (1,020 ft.) in Wilton; Saddleback end of the lake (view south).

Mtn in Carthage (2,580 ft); Bald Mtn (2,350 ft) in Washington Plantation; and Kinney's Head (2,101 ft), Derby Mtn (1,911 ft), Dean Mtn (1,800 ft.), Varnum Mtn (1,740 ft), Center Hill (1,800 ft), and Crockett Mtn (1,680 ft) in Temple. The lowest elevations are located in stream valleys and wetlands including the large wetland complex on the north end of the lake. The lake itself is located 570 ft above sea level.

Wilson Lake is used extensively for swimming, fishing, and boating, and is important to the local economy. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife reports 16 species of cold and warm-water fish in Wilson Lake, including a small native salmon population2. The lake is home to several important wildlife species including the Common Loon (Gaia immer), the American eel (Anguilla rostrata), and Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).

2

Maine DIFW: Wilson Pond, Wilton, Franklin County: https://www1.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/franklin/wilson_pond.pdf

3

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) A desktop GIS assessment of water resources and riparian habitat3 indicates that the Wilson Lake watershed includes 408 acres of wetlands, 38 stream miles with 625 acres of riparian stream habitat, and 595 acres of lakes and ponds with 253 acres of riparian lake habitat (see Riparian Habitat Map, Appendix A). In addition, mapping data from the State's Beginning with Habitat program highlights the valuable wildlife habitat in the watershed including large undeveloped land blocks, inland wading bird and waterfowl habitat, state-listed species, deer wintering areas, significant vernal pools and high value freshwater wetlands, grasslands and upland forests (see Wildlife Habitat Map, Appendix A).

SUMMARY OF PAST WATERSHED WORK TO ADDRESS NPS POLLUTION The Friends of Wilson Lake (FOWL) has taken many steps to protect the water quality and wildlife of Wilson Lake. A summary of these activities is provided below:  1974- First year of water quality monitoring on Wilson Lake.  1989- Friends of Wilson Lake is formed.  1994- First watershed survey of Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond.  1994- Demonstration Project completed at Kineowatha Park to prevent erosion into the lake with Clean Water Act Section 319 grant funds from US EPA.  1995- University of Maine at Farmington students begin begin collecting water quality data on Wilson 2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Lake.

Pond Watershed Survey volunteers.  2000- Erosion Control Projects completed at the foot of Wilson Lake with Clean Water Act Section 319 grant funds from US EPA.  1999- The Foothills Land Conservancy purchased the 238 acre Wilson Lake Headwaters Land in June of 1999.  2001- Present Courtesy Boat Inspection Program organized and funded.  2002- First year of the FOWL Audubon Loon Count  2004- FOWL kicks-off the LakeSmart Program. More than 30 properties have been certified since the start of the program.  2004-2014- A Rapid Assessment of Aquatic Invasive Plant Species was conducted by Agency Staff. Follow-up surveys (Level 2 and Level 3) were conducted by UMF researchers in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2014. An aquatic plant biodiversity survey was also completed.  2013 & 2016- The complete shoreline of Wilson Lake was photographed by UMF researchers with a GPS enabled camera (excluding marsh on north end of the lake).

3

Riparian habitat refers to the areas adjacent to lakes/ponds (250 ft), as well as streams/rivers (75 ft).

4

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) ď‚„ 2016- Wilson Lake is listed on the State's Nonpoint Source Priority Watersheds List. This lake is on the "watch list" because water clarity data suggests that the water quality is near the impairment threshold. ď‚„ 2016- FOWL and the Town of Wilton team up to conduct a watershed survey of Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond.

IDENTIFICATION OF CAUSES OR SOURCES OF THE NPS THREAT WATER QUALITY SUMMARY Water quality data has been collected in Wilson Lake since 1974 at Station 1, and in 1980 at Stations 2 and 3 (Figure 2). Based on these historic data, the water quality of Wilson Lake is considered average, the potential for nuisance algal blooms is low to moderate, and the potential for internal loading (phosphorus leaving bottom sediments and becoming available to algae) is low. Dissolved oxygen (DO) profiles in Wilson lake indicate low DO in deep areas of the lake. Oxygen levels below 5 parts per million (ppm) can stress coldwater fish and result in a reduction in habitat for the more sensitive fish species. A summary of monitoring results for Station 1 is provided below.

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station # 1 (Deep Hole): Water quality data has been collected at Station 1 in Wilson Lake since 1974. Data were collected annually with the exception of two years in the 1970's (1978-1979), for a total of 41 years of data between 1974 2016. In addition to Secchi disk transparency, which was collected for 41 years, there are 22 years of water chemistry data for other water quality parameters including alkalinity, chlorophyll-a, color, pH, specific conductivity, and phosphorus (Table 1, next page). Dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in August or September with 10 years of data between 1984-2016.

Figure 2. Water quality monitoring stations in Wilson Lake. (LakesofMaine.org)

Figure 3. Long-term water clarity trend for Wilson Lake.

(Ecological Instincts, data from LakesofMaine.org)

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Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) Table 1. Average annual water quality monitoring results for Wilson Lake at Station 1 (1974-2016).

Data from MDEP.

Water Quality Parameter

Annual Average

# of Years Sampled

SDT (m)

5.25

41

Chl-a (ppb)

4.7

11

Total Phosphorus (ppb)

7.5

12

Color (SPU)

15.8

11

Alkalinity (ppm)

6.9

11

pH

7.0

5

Specific Conductivity ( ÂľS/cm)

37

10

Secchi Disk Transparency (SDT): A vertical measure of water transparency (ability of light to penetrate water) obtained by lowering a black and white disk into the water until it is no longer visible. Measuring SDT is one of the most useful ways to show whether a lake is changing from year to year. Changes in transparency may be due to increased or decreased algal growth, or the amount of dissolved or particulate materials in a lake, resulting from human disturbance or other impacts to the lake watershed area. Factors that affect transparency include algae, water color, and sediment. Since algal density is usually the most common factor affecting transparency in Maine lakes, transparency is an indirect measure of algae abundance.

Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a): A measurement of the green pigment found in all plants, including microscopic plants such as algae. It is used as an estimate of algal biomass; higher Chl-a equates to greater amount of algae in the lake.

Total Phosphorus (TP): The total concentration of phosphorus found in the water, including organic and inorganic forms. TP is one of the major nutrients needed for plant growth. It is generally present in small amounts and limits plant growth in freshwater ecosystems. As phosphorus increases, the amount of algae generally increases.

Humans can add phosphorous to a lake through stormwater runoff, lawn or garden fertilizers, and leaky or poorly maintained septic tanks.

Color: The influence of suspended and dissolved particles in the water as measured by either Standard Platinum Units (SPU) or Platinum Cobalt Units (PCU). A variety of sources contribute to the types and amount of suspended material in lake water, including weathered geologic material, vegetation cover, and land use activity.

Colored lakes (>25 SPU) can have reduced transparency readings and increased TP values.

Alkalinity: Alkalinity is a measure of the buffering capacity of a lake, or the capacity of water to neutralize acids. It is a measure of naturally-available bicarbonate, carbonate, and hydroxide ions in the water, which is largely determined by the geology of soils and rocks surrounding the lake. Alkalinity is important to aquatic life because it buffers against changes in pH that could have drastic effects on animals and plants. pH: pH is the standard measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0-14. Most aquatic species require a pH between 6.5 and 8. As the pH of a lake declines, particularly below 6, the reproductive capacity of fish populations can be greatly impacted as the availability of nutrients and metals changes. pH is influenced by bedrock, acid rain deposition, wastewater discharge, and natural carbon dioxide fluctuations.

Specific Conductivity This parameter is directly related to the level of dissolved ions in the water. Higher levels of conductivity may indicate a greater concentration of pollutants in the water.

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Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) Maine DEP recently conducted a classification and condition analysis for Maine lakes 4. Based on this analysis, Wilson Lake is classified as an “interior pond” (>9 m max depth), and its watershed is in the “average” category based on the level of human activity it contains. Table 2 (below) shows the ranges of water quality parameters observed in interior ponds for each condition class. The only parameter that falls below the average or reference condition in Wilson Lake is water clarity as measured by Secchi disk transparency. Despite the lower water clarity, epilimnetic total phosphorus measurements indicate that phosphorus concentrations in Wilson Lake are lower than other lakes of its type, which may indicate that clarity is being affected by something other than phosphorus. Specific conductivity is average for the lake type.

Table 2. Interior Pond Lake Type: Water Quality Parameter Ranges (Maine DEP).

Wilson Lake

Condition Classes Parameter

Reference

Average

Altered

Secchi Disk Transparency (m)

≥ 6.8

6.8 - 6.5

< 6.5

5.3

Chlorophyll-a (ppb)

< 4.6

4.6 - 5.7

≥ 5.7

4.7

Total Phosphorus - Epilimnion Core (ppb)

< 10.0

10.0 - 14.2

≥ 14.2

7.5

Specific Conductivity (µS/cm)

< 23.9

23.9 - 49.6

≥ 49.6

37

A statistical analysis was conducted by Maine DEP to determine the significance of changes in water quality in Wilson Lake over time. Figure 4 (right) shows the results of a Mann-Kendall trend test 5for water clarity between 2005 - 2014. The blue line is a lowess (locally weighted scatter plot smoothing) curve. The tau value of 0.689 and p-value of 0.007 indicate a significant declining trend, meaning that the lake is becoming less clear over time. However, long-term data (1974 - 2014) are too variable to detect a significant trend. Water clarity measurements from year to year can be influenced by weather (e.g. annual fluctuations in rain/snow), or land-use changes in the watershed (e.g. period of heavy development or forestry activities or watershed improvements). For example, a 4-5 year period with mostly dry weather in the early 2000's resulted in high clarity readings, as seen in many

4

Figure 4. Mann-Kendall trend test results using short-term and recent (2005 to 2014) water clarity data collected in Wilson Lake indicates a significant declining trend (Source: Maine DEP).

Maine DEP Draft Lake Classification and Condition Analysis, unpublished.

Mann-Kendall is a simple statistical test used to assess whether a time-ordered data set exhibits an increasing or decreasing trend, within a predetermined level of significance.

5

7

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) other lakes during this time6. These were mostly dry weather years and we see an increase of clarity in many lakes during this time. Ongoing collection of water clarity data will be important to determine if the recent trend is truly an indication of changing trophic state in Wilson Lake, or the result of the long-term data variability driven by natural environmental influences such as weather.

A similar analysis was used to tease out statistically significant trends in both long-term total phosphorus (1976-2011)7. Table 3 (below) and Appendix B provide an overview of statistical analysis for both long and short-term water quality data trends in Wilson Lake for water clarity and total phosphorus. There was not enough data to determine significance for the other water quality parameters, or to conduct a trend analysis/determine anoxic factor for dissolved oxygen. This points to the need for collecting more than just SDT on an annual basis (see monitoring section, p. 26).

Table 3. Statistical significance of long and short-term water quality data in Wilson Lake, Station 1.

Water Quality Parameter Secchi Disk Transparency (SDT)

Total Phosphorus (TP)

*Long-Term Trend (1974-2014)

Short-Term Trend (2005-2014)

**Comments

no significant trend

significantly decreasing (declining water quality)

The short-term trend indicates a greater than 1 meter decrease in clarity over a 10 year period (5.16 m in 2005 - 4.12 in 2014).

no significant trend

Not enough data to determine trend

Annual epilimnetic TP data should be collected in Wilson Lake to determine recent trends, especially in relation to changes in SDT.

* Non-significant trends (p> 0.05) can be a result of stable data or if the results are too variable to determine a trend. ** See Appendix B for graphical representations of Mann-Kendall trend tests for each data set.

Volunteers from the Friends of Wilson Lake (FOWL) collect water quality data through the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP) to track long-term changes in the water quality of the lake. This includes collecting SDT data every two weeks. More recently, FOWL purchased a DO meter and will collect DO on a monthly basis along with SDT. MDEP periodically collects water chemistry data on Wilson Lake (approximately every 5 years). UMF students also collect water quality data on a rotating basis as part of the fall Limnology class. These data have not been added to the state data base.

6

Personal communication, Jeremy Deeds, Maine DEP. Analysis conducted by Maine DEP; 2015 & 2016 data was not included in these analyses. No epilimnetic TP data are available before 1976, and the last sample on record (excluding 2015-2016) was collected in 2011.

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Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

THREATENED STATUS Wilson Lake is listed on the MDEPs 2016 Nonpoint Source Priority Watershed List as "Threatened". The priority list reasoning is "Watch List" as a result of the recent trend of declining water clarity. Great Ponds are required to have a stable or improving trophic state. Water clarity is one of the parameters used to determine changes in the trophic state of lakes. Wilson Lake is on the watch list because data suggests that water quality is near the impairment threshold.

Ongoing water quality monitoring and targeted actions to reduce NPS inputs to Wilson Lake will be imperative over the course of this plan.

WATERSHED NPS THREATS It's believed that the biggest threat to Wilson Lake, as in other Maine lakes, is polluted runoff from current watershed development and roads. Of particular concern is the proximity of shoreline development including clearing of the vegetation on the lakeshore, and state and town roads.

Roads and their counterparts, including road shoulders, ditches, culverts, and winter sand flow directly into both Wilson Stream and Wilson Lake.

Rain water picks up speed as it flows across impervious surfaces like rooftops, compacted soil, gravel camp roads, pavement and lawns, or picks up Clouds over Wilson Lake nutrients and sediment on logging roads and agricultural land and delivers these materials to the nearest ditch, stream or lake. The volume and velocity of stormwater that flows off impervious areas into ditches and through culverts can cause significant soil erosion that is delivered directly to the lake.

The problem with runoff is not necessarily the water itself, but the sediment and nutrients that get carried by and delivered to the lake. Phosphorus, a naturally occurring element is considered a nutrient which provides food for algae and other aquatic plants. Phosphorus is found in soils, septic waste, animal waste and fertilizers.

Under natural conditions, phosphorus is limited in freshwater systems, which helps limit algae growth. However, when a lake receives extra phosphorus from developed land, algae growth increases dramatically. Sometimes this growth causes choking blooms, but more often it results in small changes in water quality (such as reduced water clarity) that, over time, damage the ecology, aesthetics and economy of our lakes.

Runoff from existing development and roads as well as any new development and/or seasonal conversions needs to be managed properly to prevent delivery of pollutants into Wilson Lake, especially along the shoreline or at major stream crossings, where soils have a direct route into the lake.

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Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

Figure 5. Survey sector map for the 2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond watershed survey (Wilson Lake Sectors 1-6).

The Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond watershed survey was conducted on September 24, 2016 with the help of 40 volunteers from the Friends of Wilson Lake (FOWL), University of Maine at Farmington (UMF), Spruce Mountain High School, and watershed residents.

Trained technical staff from Ecological Instincts, Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District, MDEP, Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, and FB Environmental helped lead volunteers across six survey areas (Figure 5). The 2016 survey followed the Maine DEP guidance for conducting NPS surveys8.

Prior to the survey, FOWL and the Town of Wilton sent out 718 letters and an informational handout to all of the property owners in the three watersheds. NPS pollution was documented across a number of land uses including roads and road/stream crossings, residential and municipal properties and boat launches using digital cameras, GPS units and standardized watershed field survey forms. Potential solutions, rough estimates for the cost of labor and materials for improving the sites, the overall impact to water quality, and the level of technical assistance needed to complete the recommendations were determined in the field for each site.

8

A citizen's guide to Volunteer Lake Watershed Surveys. How to Conduct a Nonpoint Source Phosphorus Survey. Maine Department of Environmental Protection. September 2011. Online: http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/materials/lakewsurveyguide.pdf

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Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) Survey results were summarized in the Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond Watershed Survey Report9 (Appendix C). A total of 62 NPS sites were documented in the Wilson Lake watershed across 10 different land-use types (Table 4). The greatest number of sites were documented in Sector 2 (on the southeast side of the lake from the boat launch to the Wilson Lake Country Club) and Sector 6 (northwest shore from Craig's Cove Rd. south to the Wilson Lake Inn). Town roads and residential properties had the highest number of documented sites, followed by state roads driveways, private roads, and municipal/public sites.

The remaining sites were located at boat or beach access sites, a commercial site, and an undeveloped site. Combined, road sites including town roads, state roads and private roads account for 50% (31 sites) of all sites. Residential properties and driveways account for another 36% (22 sites), while the other less commonly documented land uses account for the remaining 14% of sites.

Figure 6. Impact of NPS sites from the 2016 Wilson Lake Watershed Survey.

Table 4. Total number of NPS sites by land use and impact.

Land Use

High Impact

Medium

Low

Total #

Impact

Impact

of Sites

% of Total

Town Road

2

9

7

18

29%

Residential

0

4

12

16

26%

State Road

2

5

2

9

15%

Driveway

0

0

6

6

10%

Private Road

1

2

1

4

6%

Municipal/Public

0

3

1

4

6%

Boat Access

0

0

2

2

3%

Beach Access

0

0

1

1

2%

Commercial

0

1

0

1

2%

Undeveloped

0

1

0

1

2%

Total

5

25

32

62

100%

9

Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Report. Prepared for Friends of Wilson Lake by Ecological Instincts, December 2016.

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Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) The Wilson Lake Watershed Planning Steering Committee met to review the survey results and to prioritize the sites to determine which sites are high priority based on the estimated impact the site has on water quality, the potential for the landowner to complete the work or for the project to get funded through grants, and its ability to serve as an educational opportunity. The initial round of prioritization was conducted for the watershed survey report in December 2016, followed by a second round of prioritization by the committee for in February 2017 for the WBPP. The revised list is in order of priority, with the higher priority sites listed first. Table 5 (below) provides the final list of priorities.

Table 5. List of prioritized sites in the Wilson Lake watershed.

Site ID*

Location

Site Notes

1-1

Town Pump Station

Replace culvert, rebuild retaining wall, install infiltration trench on dripline and add to shoreline buffer

State Road Sites

Rt. 2 & Rt. 156; Bridge and Intersection of Rt. 156, Pond Road and Hanslip Road (Sites 4-6 through 4-8)

Send letter to Maine DOT describing sites and requesting a meeting to discuss remediation timeline; Reduce effects of erosion near bridge abutment and stabilize ditches and culverts.

2-4

Fuller Street

High impact site- clean out culvert and armor ditch with stone. Town plans to address in 2017.

3-5

Fenderson Hill Rd. Ditches

Add/repair check dams in ditch. Ensure regular maintenance of ditch & check dams to clean out winter sand and prevent erosion of ditch.

Kineowatha Park

Multiple Sites Near Shoreline

Repair retaining wall and plant shoreline vegetation; capture runoff from cabin with a rain garden; install runoff diverter on road/path and add Erosion Control Mulch to all bare soil areas.

2-12

Shea Street/Bass Point Cottages

High impact site- install runoff diverters and work with landowner on LakeSmart Certification

6-8 & 6-9

Pond Road Culverts

Armor culvert inlets/outlets, enlarge culverts, install plunge pools

Stream Inlets

Develop a wet weather monitoring program to determine phosphorus concentrations & total suspended sediment inputs at strategic stream inlets to Wilson Lake

OtherMonitoring

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Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

WATERSHED PROTECTION PLAN GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The overall goal of the Wilson Lake WBPP is to improve the water quality in Wilson Lake as defined by improved water clarity. This will be achieved through the following objectives over the next ten years (2017-2026).

1. Reduce current sources of phosphorus by addressing 32 road sites, 22 residential sites, 6 driveway sites, 4 municipal/public sites, and 5 other sites identified in the watershed survey report. This will be achieved by providing targeted outreach, coordination with project partners, technical assistance through LakeSmart and cost-share programs for installing conservation practices;

2. Prevent new sources of NPS pollution by documenting new sources of NPS, educating watershed residents and municipal officials about lake protection practices and maintenance activities, conducting regular road maintenance, and improving ordinances that protect the lake;

3. Build local capacity for watershed stewardship by acquiring funding to support watershed restoration projects, conducting outreach to recruit new lake association members, increasing the number of LakeSmart and LoonSmart homes, and building relationships with local schools and community groups;

4. Conduct long-term monitoring and assessment of lake and watershed conditions by

Watershed Planning Objectives: 1. Reduce Current Sources of NPS 2. Prevent New Sources of NPS 3. Build Local Capacity 4. Conduct LongTerm Monitoring & Assessment

WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT!

conducting ongoing annual in-lake monitoring of target water quality parameters, developing a tributary monitoring plan, conducting sampling at key tributaries, assessing conditions along Wilson Stream, conducting invasive species monitoring, and maintaining the NPS Site Tracker.

13

be

water plan and along Wilson

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

SCHEDULE & MILESTONES TO GUIDE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ACTION PLAN & SCHEDULE The Wilson Lake Watershed Planning Committee developed action items, milestones and an estimated schedule for implementing the WBPP (Table 6). This included an in-depth review of watershed survey results, and a facilitated group planning session. The actions were further refined by the committee electronically. The final action plan (Table 7) includes management actions to meet the goals and objectives of this watershed plan over the next 10 years (2017 2026).

Table 6. Wilson Lake Implementation Schedule

Year(s)

Actions Planning/Meetings     

Form Wilson Lake WBPP Steering Committee and discuss action items and goals Set up meeting with Maine DOT to review survey results & discuss next steps Set up meeting with town officials to review survey results & discuss next steps Develop an annual road maintenance schedule Develop a tributary monitoring plan to assess the impacts of NPS from roads

Funding/Administrative   

Develop a detailed funding plan to support watershed planning activities Research potential grants that support plan implementation Apply for a Clean Water Act Section 319 watershed implementation grant from US EPA and Maine DEP

Outreach

2017 Year 1

    

Distribute post-survey landowner letters and summary handout to all landowners with a documented NPS site Set up NPS Site Tracker & train FOWL on use Include NPS information in water/sewer bill mailing Present WBPP at FOWL Annual Meeting Sponsor 1st Annual Wine & Cheese Social to showcase LakeSmart homes

NPS Implementation    

Address 2 state road NPS sites Address 4 town road NPS sites Address 4 residential NPS sites Address 1 "other" NPS site

Monitoring/Assessment   

Conduct LakeSmart site visits (minimum 5 visits, and 1 new certification) Conduct in-lake (SDT, TP, Chl-a, Color, DO) Look into collecting storm samples at the outlet of key tributaries (TP, TSS)

14

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

Year(s)

Actions Planning/Meetings    

Hold annual Steering Committee meetings to review & update WBPP Ask town committees to review ordinances & provide recommendations Investigate starting a local Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Meet with USDA/NRCS to discuss upcoming agricultural projects in the watershed

Funding/Administrative   

Apply for state, federal or private grants Work with the town to include a line item in the annual town budget to support water quality protection in Wilson Lake Build relationships with local businesses to help fund monitoring and CBI

Outreach

2018-2020 Years 2 - 4

   

Include NPS information in water/sewer bill mailing Attend regular planning board meetings to update the town on FOWL activities and needs Develop a "Senior College" style class about Wilson Lake Provide training to local road associations & town on gravel road maintenance

NPS Implementation         

Implement BMPs at state road sites (7 sites) Implement BMPs at town road sites (7 sites) Implement BMPs on private roads (3 sites) Implement BMPs on residential properties (12 sites) Implement BMPs at driveways (6 sites) Implement BMPs at municipal/public sites (2 sites) Implement BMPs at "other" sites (4 sites) Update NPS Site Tracker Work with Foothills Land Conservancy on restoration of riparian areas with invasives

Monitoring/Assessment   

Conduct LakeSmart site visits (15 visits, and 6 new certifications) Conduct in-lake (SDT, TP, Chl-a, Color, DO) and tributary monitoring (TP, TSS) Conduct a Stream Corridor Survey to assess condition/stability of Wilson Stream

15

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) Planning/Meetings  

Hold annual Steering Committee meeting to review & update WBPP Reassess NPS implementation success and develop strategies for remaining sites

Funding/Administrative 

Apply for state, federal or private grants that support planning recommendations

Outreach

2021-2023 Years 5 - 7

  

Provide watershed project updates in FOWL newsletters and website Attend regular planning board meetings to update the town on FOWL activities and needs Sponsor a "Senior College" style class about Wilson Lake

NPS Implementation 

Update NPS Site Tracker and determine which sites need follow-up

Monitoring/Assessment   

Conduct LakeSmart site visits (minimum 15 visits, and 8 new certifications) Conduct in-lake (SDT, TP, Chl-a, Color, DO) and tributary monitoring (TP, TSS) Conduct monthly epilimnetic phosphorus monitoring (June-August)

Planning/Meetings  

Hold annual Steering Committee meetings to review & update WBPP Reassess NPS implementation success and develop strategies for remaining sites

Funding/Administrative  

2024-2026 Years 8 - 10

Apply for 319 watershed implementation grants to complete planned watershed projects Apply for other state, federal or private foundation grants that support planning recommendations

Outreach  

Provide watershed project updates in FOWL newsletters and website Attend regular planning board meetings to update the town on FOWL activities and needs

NPS Implementation 

Update NPS Site Tracker and determine which sites need follow-up

Monitoring/Assessment  

Conduct LakeSmart site visits (minimum 15 visits, and 6 new certifications) Reassess in-lake and tributary monitoring needs based on baseline data collected

16

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) Planning/Meetings 

Hold annual Steering Committee meeting to review & update WBPP

Funding/Administrative    

Recruit new private and commercial lake association members Increase FOWL membership to build volunteer & funding base Send out annual membership appeals to raise match for grants Support CBI program

Outreach  

Ongoing Activities (Annual)

       

Provide watershed project updates in FOWL newsletters and website Attend regular Planning Board/Selectmen meetings to update the Town on FOWL activities and needs Send out annual membership appeals to raise match for grants through FOWL newsletter and website Build relationships with local schools, UMF and Boy Scouts to build volunteer base Hold annual boat trips during the Blueberry Festival Sponsor wine & cheese socials (on & off-lake) to showcase LakeSmart homes Continue Loon Program at the Elementary School to educate children about lakes Continue offering David Prince Scholarship for graduating H.S. Senior Provide training to town road crews on sand/salt usage & storage Provide annual erosion control training to town road crews

NPS Implementation   

Clean out ditches/culverts as needed following heavy storm events Conduct regular street sweeping in the spring and summer (Blueberry Festival) Clean out all catch basins annually

Monitoring/Assessment   

Recruit and train new VLMP water quality monitoring volunteers Continue LakeSmart and LoonSmart to increase local stewardship Conduct annual in-lake monitoring (SDT, DO, TP, Chl-a, Color)

Winter settles on Mt. Blue (background) and Wilson Lake (foreground)

17

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) Table 7. Wilson Lake Watershed Action Plan (2017 - 2026)

Action Plan & Milestones

Schedule

Who

Potential Funding Sources

2017 2017 (2 sites) 2018 (4 sites) 2019 (3 sites)

MDOT, FOWL, Town

n/a

MDOT

MDOT, EPA (319), Maine DEP

2017 2017 (4 sites) 2018 (4 sites) 2019 (3 sites) 2017 (3 sites) 2018 (4 sites)

Town, FOWL

n/a

Town, FOWL

Town of Wilton, EPA (319), Maine DEP

Town

Town of Wilton, EPA (319), Maine DEP

2018 (1 site) 2019 (2 sites) 2020 (1 site)

Landowners, FOWL

Landowners, CostShare Grants

2018 (2 sites) 2019 (2 sites)

Town

Town of Wilton, EPA (319), Maine DEP

Landowners, FOWL

Landowners, FOWL, EPA (319), Maine DEP

Landowners, FOWL

Landowners, FOWL, EPA (319), Maine DEP

Landowners, FOWL

Landowners, EPA (319), Maine DEP

Reduce Current Sources of NPS Identified in the 2016 Watershed Survey Report State Roads (9 sites) Set up meeting with Maine DOT to review survey results & discuss next steps Implement BMPs on State road sites (Rt. 2 & Rt. 156) (9 sites) Town Roads (18 sites) Set up meeting with Town officials to review survey results & discuss next steps Implement BMPs on high & medium impact town road sites (11 sites) Address low impact town road sites (7 sites) Private Roads (4 sites) Address all private road sites (4 sites) Municipal/Public Install BMPs at all public/municipal NPS sites (4 sites) Residential Properties (including driveways) 2017 (4 sites) 2018 (6 sites) 2019 (6 sites) 2018 (2 sites) 2019 (2 sites) 2020 (2 sites)

Address all residential sites (16 medium & low impact sites)

Address all driveway sites (6 low impact sites) Other Sites (Boat access, beach access, commercial & undeveloped)

2017 (1 site) 2018 (3 sites) 2019 (1 site)

Address NPS problems at "other" sites (5 sites)

18

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) Table 7 Cont. Wilson Lake Watershed Action Plan (2017 - 2026)

Schedule

Who

Potential Funding Sources

Distribute post-survey landowner letters and summary handout to all landowners with a documented NPS site

2017

FOWL

FOWL

Present Watershed-Based Protection Plan at FOWL Annual Meeting

2017

FOWL

FOWL

Post survey results on the FOWL and Town websites

2017

FOWL, Town

n/a

3 times/year

FOWL

FOWL

Hold annual boat trips during the Blueberry Festival

Ongoing

FOWL

FOWL

Sponsor wine & cheese socials (on & off-lake) to showcase LakeSmart homes

Ongoing

FOWL

FOWL

Include NPS information in a water/sewer bill mailing

2017-2018

Town, FOWL

Town of Wilton, FOWL

Develop a "Gold-Leaf Institute" style class specific to learning about Wilson Lake

2018-2019

FOWL, Partners

FOWL, Foundation Grants

Continue Loon Program at the Elementary School to educate children about lakes

Ongoing

FOWL

FOWL

Continue offering David Prince Scholarship for graduating H.S. Senior

Ongoing

FOWL

FOWL

Provide training to town road crews on sand/salt usage & storage

Ongoing

Town, FCSWCD

Town of Wilton

Provide annual erosion control training to town road crews

Ongoing

Town, State, FCSWCD

Town of Wilton

2017 & Ongoing

Town, FOWL, WBPPP Committee

Town of Wilton, FOWL

2018-2020

FOWL, FCSWCD

FOWL

Develop an annual road maintenance schedule

2017 & Ongoing

Town of Wilton

Town of Wilton

Clean out ditches/culverts as needed following heavy storm events

2017 & Ongoing

Town, MDOT

Town of Wilton, MDOT

Action Plan & Milestones Prevent New Sources of NPS Pollution Educate Watershed Residents about Measures to Prevent Water Quality Impairment

Provide watershed project updates in FOWL newsletters

Provide Training on Road Maintenance & Sand/Salt Application

Meet with DOT to discuss road maintenance schedules & sand/salt use Provide training to local road associations & town on gravel road maintenance Conduct Regular Road Maintenance

19

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) Table 7 Cont. Wilson Lake Watershed Action Plan (2017 - 2026)

Schedule

Who

Potential Funding Sources

Conduct regular street sweeping in the spring and summer (Blueberry Festival)

2017 & Ongoing

Town

Town of Wilton

Clean out all catch basins annually

2017 & Ongoing

Town, MDOT

Town of Wilton, MDOT

2018-2019

Town, FOWL

n/a

2017 & Ongoing

FOWL, Steering Committee

n/a

2017-2018

FOWL, WBPP Committee

FOWL

Research potential grants that support watershed plan implementation

2017

FOWL, WBPP Committee

FOWL

Apply for Clean Water Act Section 319 grant from US EPA & Maine DEP

2017

FOWL

EPA (319), Maine DEP

2017 & Ongoing

FOWL, Town

TBD

2017-2019

FOWL, Partners

n/a

2017 - 2026

FOWL

n/a

Send out annual membership appeals to raise match for grants

Ongoing

FOWL

FOWL

Attend regular Planning Board/Selectmen meetings to update the Town on FOWL activities and needs

Ongoing

FOWL

n/a

Continue LakeSmart and increase local stewardship- Goal: Increase number of certified LakeSmart homes from 36% (31 homes) to 60% (50 homes) by 2026

2017-2026

Private, FOWL, MLS

FOWL, Residents

Increase the number of LoonSmart homes - Goal: 30% (26 homes) by 2026.

2017-2026

Private, FOWL, MLS

FOWL, Landowners

Action Plan & Milestones

Improve Ordinances that Protect Wilson Lake Ask town committees to review ordinances & provide recommendations Build Local Capacity to Help Fund Watershed Protection Projects Acquire Funding to Support NPS Projects Form Wilson Lake WBPP Steering Committee and meet once/year to discuss action items and goals Develop a detailed funding plan to support watershed planning activities

Apply for other grants Build relationships with local businesses to help fund monitoring and CBI Build Lake Association Capacity & Volunteers Increase FOWL membership to build volunteer & funding base- Goal: 5-10% increase in members and member businesses by 2026

20

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) Table 7 Cont. Wilson Lake Watershed Action Plan (2017 - 2026)

Schedule

Who

Potential Funding Sources

Investigate starting a local Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)

2018-2020

FOWL

n/a

Build relationships with local schools, UMF and Boy Scouts to build volunteer base

2017 - 2026

FOWL, Partners

n/a

Recruit and train new FOWL volunteers to become VLMP certified for SDT and DO (May-September)

Ongoing

FOWL, VLMP volunteers

n/a

Collect annual in-lake water chemistry data (TP, Chl-a, Color) (June-September)

2018-2022

FOWL, VLMP volunteers, UMF

FOWL, Foundation Grants

Explore starting a tributary monitoring program to assess impacts from roads

2017-2018

FOWL

FOWL

Look into collecting storm samples at the outlet of key tributaries (TP, TSS)

2018-2019

FOWL

FOWL

Conduct a Stream Corridor Survey to assess condition/stability of Wilson Stream

2019-2020

FOWL, UMF

FOWL, Foundation Grants

Support CBI program

Ongoing

FOWL

FOWL, Businesses, Local Grants

Work with Foothills Land Conservancy on restoration of riparian areas with invasives

Ongoing

FOWL, Foothills Land Conservancy

FOWL

2017-2018

FOWL

FOWL, EPA (319), Maine DEP

Update NPS Site Tracker annually by documenting and adding new NPS sites, and tracking sites that have been completed

Ongoing

FOWL

FOWL

Calculate pollutant load reduction estimates for completed NPS sites

Ongoing

FOWL

FOWL

Action Plan & Milestones

Conduct Long-Term Monitoring & Assessment In-Lake Monitoring

Stream Monitoring

Invasive Species Monitoring

NPS Site Tracker Set up NPS Site Tracker & Train FOWL on use

21

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

PLAN OUTPUTS AND MILESTONES 1. Organizational Outputs  Wilson Lake Watershed Steering Committee formed and meeting annually to update the plan  Contact made with all property owners with an NPS site identified in the watershed survey  The Town of Wilton applies for 319 Phase I project through Maine DEP  The Town/FOWL offers landowners assistance with completing recommended conservation practices  FOWL's LakeSmart program is a catalyst for completing conservation practices at residential NPS sites  FOWL membership and funding base increases by 5-10%  NPS Site Tracker created, maintained and used to track projects

2. NPS Mitigation Outputs  Number of NPS sites addressed  Number of NPS sites addressed by landowners through private funding  Number of NPS sites addressed using cost-sharing  Number of LakeSmart site visits & new LakeSmart certifications  Estimated pollutant load reductions as a result of watershed projects  FOWL's LakeSmart program a catalyst for completing low-impact NPS sites  NPS Site Tracker created, maintained and used to track projects

Loons congregate on Wilson Lake

3. Water Quality Outcomes      

Improvement in lake water clarity Improved dissolved oxygen readings in deep areas of the lake Increase in frequency and type of in-lake monitoring New VLMP water quality monitors certified for in-lake monitoring Development of a volunteer stream monitoring plan/program Removal from Maine DEPs NPS Priority Watersheds List

22

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

PROPOSED MANAGEMENT MEASURES The Wilson Lake (Varnum Pond & Pease Pond) Watershed Survey Report (Appendix C) lists specific management recommendations for the many NPS sites identified during the 2016 watershed survey. Similarly, the report provides a more general list of recommendations for addressing the most common NPS problems. These recommendations can be found in online publications including the Maine DEP online publications:

 Conservation Practices for Homeowners (24 fact sheets): http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/materials.html  Erosion & Sediment Control BMPs http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/erosion/escbmps/index.html  Gravel Road Maintenance Manual: A Guide for Landowners on Camp and Other Roads: http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/camp/road/gravel_road_manual.pdf  Maine Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/stormwater/stormwaterbmps/index.html  The Buffer Handbook: http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/buffhandbook.pdf  The Buffer Handbook Plant List: http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/buffer_plant_list.pdf  The Lake Book: A Handbook for Lake Protection http://mainelakessociety.org/resources/the-lake-book/

STATE, TOWN & PRIVATE ROAD SITES Together, town roads (18 sites), state roads (9 sites), and private roads (4 sites) account for 50% of all NPS sites. State and town road sites in the Wilson Lake watershed contribute to erosion, and deliver a high volume of stormwater and attached sediments and nutrients directly to the lake resulting in a significant impact on the lake's water quality. Five of the 31 sites are ranked high impact, 16 sites are ranked medium impact, and 10 are ranked low impact.

Common problems identified on roads include:

    

Erosion within the right-of-way including eroding road shoulders Unstable or poorly maintained ditches resulting in bank erosion Broken, undersized, clogged, or misaligned culverts Unstable culvert inlet or outlet Lack of treatment of stormwater flowing into lake/stream from roadway

Recommended solutions for roads include:

 Install erosion controls such as rip rap to protect bare soil  Install drainage swales and plunge pools to reduce pollutants in stormwater  Clean up winter sand in the spring and conduct annual street sweeping and catch basin cleaning  Line ditches with rock and vegetate for stability  Replace failing culverts and stabilize culvert inlets/outlets with rip rap  Add new surface materials to gravel roads and install runoff diverters

23

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026) Maintenance for recommended solutions for road sites includes:

 Re-establish and repair road shoulders and ditches following damage by snowplows each spring  Check ditches and culverts after major storm events  Remove clogs and debris from culverts annually and after storm events This plan seeks to address 18 town road sites, 9 state road sites, and 4 private road sites by 2020. This will require working with state and town officials, seeking funding that supports road projects, and working with private landowners to repair private roads.

RESIDENTIAL SITES Sixteen residential sites (26% of all sites) were documented in the Wilson Lake watershed. These sites were spread around the shoreline on both sides of the lake, with two sites in the upper watershed away from the shore. Four (4) of these sites were ranked medium impact and 12 low impact. Driveways account for another six low impact sites. A few residential sites had more than one NPS site (e.g. lack of shoreline vegetation and eroding driveway).

Common problems identified on residential sites include:

              

Surface erosion due to bare soil Undercutting of the shoreline Inadequate/lack of shoreline vegetation Unstable water access including beach and boat access Roof dripline erosion Surface erosion on gravel driveways Recommended solutions for residential NPS sites include: Seed and mulch bare soil Establish or enhance shoreline buffers with native woody vegetation Stabilize undercut banks with a combination of rock and native vegetation Place erosion control mulch or stone on heavily used footpaths Install dripline trenches at rooflines Limit foot traffic in areas sensitive to erosion Install infiltration steps on paths with steep eroding trails Install runoff diverters on driveways to prevent erosion

Maintenance for recommended solutions for residential NPS sites includes:

 Reseed/over-seed bare soil and replenish erosion control mulch every 2 years or more frequently if needed (from plowing or high use)  Clean out stone in paths every 2-5 years to remove debris and ensure proper infiltration  Water vegetation frequently during first year of growth, and replace dead/dying plants  Clean out runoff diverters on driveways annually This plan seeks to address 16 residential sites and 6 driveway sites over a 10-year planning period utilizing targeted outreach strategies, FOWL's LakeSmart program, and cost-share grants beginning in 2017, and ramping up over the next several years as funding becomes available.

24

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

OTHER SITES Other NPS sites in the watershed were documented on municipal/public properties (4 sites including Kineowatha Park, the Town Pump Station and the Town Office), boat access (2 sites including the public launch on the south end of the lake), beach access (1 site) commercial (1 site at the golf course), and undeveloped (1 site on the stream near the Tobin Flat Bridge). None of these sites were ranked high impact, 5 ranked medium impact, and 9 ranked low impact.

Common problems identified on "other" sites include:

 Slight to severe surface erosion caused by bare soil, roof runoff or ditch erosion  Undercut shoreline/inadequate vegetation  Unstable retaining walls Recommended solutions for "other" sites include:

    

Seed and mulch bare soil Establish or enhance shoreline buffers with native woody vegetation Stabilize undercut banks with a combination of rock and native vegetation Repair failing retaining walls & vegetate behind Install rain garden to capture runoff from buildings

Maintenance for recommended solutions for "other" sites includes:

 Reseed/over-seed bare soil and replenish erosion control mulch every 2 years  Water vegetation frequently during first year of growth, and replace dead/dying plants This plan seeks to address a total of 9 "other sites" including 4 sites on municipal/public property and the boat launch at the south end of the lake. This will require working with the Town of Wilton and private landowners, and seeking funding that supports these projects.

Follow-up survey work should be considered for large landowners in the watershed over the next several years (e.g. commercial properties, town-owned properties, golf course, and agricultural land) to better quantify and track potentially large NPS inputs. In addition, inputs from non-developed land such as streambank erosion along Wilson Stream should be assessed and documented to determine opportunities/needs for streambank protection. Any new inputs should be added to the Wilson Lake NPS Site Tracker List.

25

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

PLAN OVERSIGHT AND PARTNER ROLES Implementation of a ten-year watershed plan cannot be accomplished without the help of a central organization to oversee the plan, and a diverse and dedicated group of project partners to support the various aspects of the plan. The following organizations will be critical to the plan's success, and are ideal candidates for the watershed steering committee. The committee will need to meet annually to update the action plan, to evaluate the plan's success, and to determine if the water quality goal is being met.

Friends of Wilson Lake (FOWL) will serve as the designated entity for overseeing plan implementation and plan updates. FOWL will provide project match as available and seek funding from outside sources to conduct outreach, increase FOWL membership, and continue building on the FOWL LakeSmart program.

Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District (FCSWCD) may provide technical assistance, including engineering assistance for road projects and assistance with LakeSmart certifications.

Landowners & Road Associations will address NPS issues on their properties and provide a private source of matching funds.

Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) will help address NPS sites on state roads in the watershed, conduct ongoing maintenance of road related infrastructure, and will be a valuable partner for acquiring matching funds for projects near Wilson Stream on Rt. 156.

Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) will provide the Town of Wilton and FOWL with ongoing guidance, technical assistance and resources, and the opportunity for financial assistance through the NPS grants program. MDEP also houses the Volunteer River Monitoring Program (VRMP), which provides training to volunteers for sampling tributary streams.

Maine Lakes Society provides a myriad of program support to lake associations including training for LakeSmart volunteers, and certification of LakeSmart properties.

Town of Wilton will serve on the watershed steering committee, and may provide funding for water quality monitoring, match for watershed restoration projects, and support for FOWL's CBI program. The town will also play a key role in addressing NPS sites on town roads and municipal/public property, providing training and education for municipal employees, and serving as the grant applicant for state and federal grants.

University of Maine Farmington (UMF) will serve on the watershed steering committee, and may assist with volunteer stream or in-lake monitoring or stream corridor survey, and keep FOWL informed about any water quality monitoring data they collect.

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works with farmers and small woodlot owners in the watershed to install conservation practices that protect water quality.

US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) may provide Clean Water Act Section 319 funds and guidance.

Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP) provides training and tools for volunteers to collect water samples on Wilson Lake.

26

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

WATER QUALITY RESULTS MONITORING MONITORING ACTIVITY, FREQUENCY AND PARAMETERS Maine water quality criteria require that lakes and ponds have a stable or improving trophic state and be free of culturally induced algal blooms. FOWL will continue to work with project partners including VLMP water quality monitors, Maine DEP, UMF, and the Town of Wilton to conduct long-term water quality monitoring on Wilson Lake and Wilson Stream.

Volunteers will collect SDT measurements twice each month between May 1 - September 30, and dissolved oxygen and temperature profiles at least once each month.

If funding becomes available for additional monitoring, Clouds over Wilson Lake other parameters should be added in to gain a better understanding of the short-term trend of declining water clarity. This would include at least one epilimnetic total phosphorus (TP), chlorophyll-a, and color sample collected between June and September each year. A consistent set of water quality data will provide much needed information about the short and long-term trends beyond SDT. Maine DEP conducts monitoring on Wilson Lake approximately every five-years on a rotating schedule. This includes a full suite of monitoring parameters.

Stream monitoring at key stream crossings and at stream outlets may provide information about the effects of roads and the concentration of phosphorus and amount of sediment entering the lake. Sampling for TP and total suspended sediment (TSS) could be conducted by trained volunteers during wet weather events according to the stream monitoring plan to be developed as part of this WBPP. FOWL should contact the Maine River Monitoring Program for guidance.

POLLUTANT LOAD REDUCTION ESTIMATES Pollutant load reductions will be estimated for completed NPS sites to help demonstrate phosphorus and sediment load reductions as result of BMP implementation and watershed planning in the Wilson Lake watershed. Pollutant loading reductions will be made using methods approved and recommended by Maine DEP and the US EPA, and reported to Maine DEP for any work funded by 319 grants.

27

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

APPENDIX A: WATERSHED MAPS

28

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

29

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

30

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

31

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

APPENDIX B: MANN-KENDALL TREND TEST RESULTS WATER QUALITY TRENDS FOR WILSON LAKE Data were filtered between 2005-2014 for short-term water quality trends, as well as for longterm trends from 1974 - 2014. The limited data set for many parameters resulted in analysis for short-term SDT, and long-term SDT and TP. Data were not available for 2015 or 2016. Analysis conducted by Jeremy Deeds, Maine DEP in March 2017. .

Short-term Trend= Significant decrease in SDT (declining water clarity)

Long-term Trend= SDT trend is not significant

Long-term Trend= TP trend is not significant

32

Wilson Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan (2017-2026)

APPENDIX C: WILSON LAKE WATERSHED SURVEY REPORT

33

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

WATERSHED SURVEY REPORT WILSON LAKE, VARNUM POND & PEASE POND

DECEMBER 2016

Friends of Wilson Lake P.O. Box 560 Wilton, ME 04294 http://www.friendsofwilsonlake.org

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

WILSON LAKE, VARNUM POND & PEASE POND WATERSHED SURVEY REPORT

Prepared for: Friends of Wilson Lake P.O. Box 560 Wilton, ME 04294 http://www.friendsofwilsonlake.org

Prepared by:

Ecological Instincts P.O. Box 682 Manchester, ME 04351 www.ecoinstincts.com

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey WATERSHED INFORMATION

WILSON LAKE









Wilson Lake is located in the foothills of Western Maine in the Town of Wilton within the larger Wilson Stream watershed, which flows into the Sandy River, to the Kennebec River, and into the Gulf of Maine.

VARNUM POND



Varnum Pond is located in the towns of Wilton and Temple.



The shoreline of Wilson Lake is heavily developed, and many camps have been converted into year-round homes.



Boat access is via the public boat launch on the south end of the lake, and for carry-in by boats off the Pond Rd. at the north end.



The Foothills Land Conservancy owns 238 acres of wetland and wet meadow under permanent conservation easement at the northern end of Wilson Lake.





62 acres Kineowatha Park provides public access for swimming and hiking, as does Bass Park.



Wilson Lake serves as an important economic and recreational resource and is used for many outdoor activities including swimming, fishing, and boating.



The outlet dam on the south end of the lake is controlled for water level by the town.

PEASE POND



Varnum Pond outlets into Varnum Stream which flows into Wilson Stream.

Pease Pond is located in the town of Wilton.

The Pease Pond watershed is located in the towns of Wilton and Jay.



The watershed of Varnum Pond is largely undeveloped. There are six seasonal camps on Varnum Pond in Wilton.

Pease Pond outlets through a large wetland complex on the north end of the lake, and into Wilson Stream.



Varnum Pond is the drinking water supply for the towns of Wilton and North Jay. No swimming is allowed in Varnum Pond.

There is no public boat landing at Pease Pond.



Varnum Pond has three boat access locations: off McGrath Road and at the end of the North Pond Rd. in Wilton, and off Varnum Pond Rd. in Temple. There are no restrictions on horsepower or fuel type.

The shoreline of Pease Pond is moderately developed with 25 or so seasonal camps primarily accessed by unimproved gravel roads.



Land in the Pease Pond watershed is used intensively for agriculture and forestry. Beef cows and hay are the primary agricultural uses.

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & DEDICATION The following people and organizations were instrumental in the Wilson Lake Watershed Survey, and deserve special recognition for their efforts:

Watershed Survey Steering Committee Members Russell Black

Landowner, Pease Pond Watershed

Dr. Dan Buckley

University of Maine, Farmington

Justin Futia

Town of Wilton

Rob Lively

Friends of Wilson Lake

Wynn Muller

Friends of Wilson Lake

Mary Ryan

Friends of Wilson Lake

Mike Sherrod

Town of Wilton

Rosetta White

Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District

Technical Support (Field Leads) Lauren Bizzari

FB Environmental Associates

Dr. Dan Buckley

University of Maine, Farmington

Mary Ellen Dennis

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Nathan Durant

Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance

Wendy Garland

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Jennifer Jespersen

Ecological Instincts

Amanda Troxell

AmeriCorps/Maine DEP

Robert VanRiper

Varnum Pond Landowner/Maine DIFW

Rosetta White

Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District

Watershed Survey Volunteers Christopher Beahm

Judy Landry

Hunter Quirron

Nickolas Bray

Rob Lively

Nancy Prince

William Brennen

Dylan Lord

Mary Ryan

Pete Chamberlain

Wheeler Lowell

Orion Schwab

Roger Condit

Natalie Luce

Sharon Rainey

Jordan Daigle

Wyatt McCurdy

Robert Taylor

Austin Gilboe

Sandy Muller

Abigail Thurston

Mitchell Golas

Wynn Muller

Alyssa Tironati

Sumaya Hamdi

Justy Nazar

Jody Tulloss

Alicia Hicks

Faith Purdy

Jacob Violette

Ellie Hopkins

Camille Price

Alan Young

Jordan Horrocks

Kenneth Price ii

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

This watershed survey report is dedicated to the memory of Peter “Pete” Chamberlain. Pete was a very active member of the Wilton community, serving over the years as a youth soccer coach, on the Wilton Free Library Board of Directors, the Wilton Planning Board, the Wilton Road Committee, and the Foothills Land Conservancy.

Pete was also a member of the Friends of Wilson Lake (FOWL) for over ten years. When we asked Pete to join our FOWL board this past summer his response was, “I would be proud to serve. I wondered when you were going to ask me!” He then got involved in our watershed survey. Even though he was undergoing treatment for his illness, he was present at our survey training just a month before his passing. We are pleased to have his name associated with this monumental Wilton and FOWL event.

Peter Lincoln "Pete" Chamberlain (1942-2016)

Funding: This survey was made possible in part by the Friends of Wilson Lake, through generous contributions of its members, by the Town of Wilton, and through a generous grant from the Maine Drinking Water Program through the 2016 Source Water Protection Grant Program. In-kind contributions were made possible by the many volunteers that participated in the survey including FOWL members, the Spruce Mountain High School Envirothon Team and the University of Maine at Farmington Limnology class. Meeting space was generously provided by the Wilson Lake Inn and the Academy Hill School.

Project partners: Friends of Wilson Lake, the towns of Wilton and Temple, University of Maine at Farmington, Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District, and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Project management was provided by Ecological Instincts.

Report prepared by: Ecological Instincts with maps by WB GIS Services.

Cover photos: Wilson Lake (Susan Atwood) & site photos from the September 24, 2016 watershed survey.

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2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements & Dedication ....................................................................................................................................................... ii Description of the Lakes & Their Watersheds............................................................................................................................ 1 Wilson Lake Watershed ......................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Varnum Pond Watershed ................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Pease Pond Watershed ......................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Water Quality- Why is Water Quality at Risk?...................................................................................................................... 6 Why is Runoff a Problem? ................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Why Protect Our Lakes from Polluted Runoff? .................................................................................................................. 7 What is Being Done to Protect Our Lakes? ............................................................................................................................ 9 Survey Purpose & Methods ................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Purpose of the Watershed Survey .............................................................................................................................................. 10 Survey Methods .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Watershed Survey Results ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Summary of Survey Findings .......................................................................................................................................................... 15 Results Wilson Lake Watershed................................................................................................................................................... 16 Sector Overview (Wilson Lake) ......................................................................................................................................................27 Results Varnum Pond Watershed ...............................................................................................................................................27 Results Pease Pond Watershed....................................................................................................................................................34 Residential Areas ......................................................................................................................................................................................42 Roads..................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Driveways........................................................................................................................................................................................................43 Other (Beach/Boat Access, Construction, Commercial) ...........................................................................................43 Summary of Findings & Next Steps.................................................................................................................................................43 Summary of Survey Findings ..........................................................................................................................................................44 Prioritizing NPS Sites ..............................................................................................................................................................................44 Next Steps - Where Do We Go From Here? .......................................................................................................................44 Conservation Practices For Homeowners............................................................................................................................ 48 Permitting ABCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 49 How to Apply for a Permit by Rule with the Maine DEP ........................................................................................... 50 Contact Information ............................................................................................................................................................................... 50 iv

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Publications & Other Resources.................................................................................................................................................... 51

ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1: Watershed Survey Field Data Sheet ...........................................................................................................53 Attachment 2: List of NPS Sites (Wilson Lake) ....................................................................................................................... 55 Attachment 3: List of NPS Sites (Varnum Pond) ................................................................................................................... 62 Attachment 4: List of NPS Sites (Pease Pond) ........................................................................................................................ 64

LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Summary of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by land use and impact. ..................... 17 Table 2. Summary of NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed by land use and impact. ................ 29 Table 3. Summary of NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed by land use and impact. ..................... 36 Table 4. Prioritized list of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed ....................................................................... 45 Table 5. Prioritized list of NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed ................................................................... 46 Table 6. Prioritized list of NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed ....................................................................... 46

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Land-use map for Wilson, Varnum and Pease Ponds. ................................................................................. 4 Figure 2. USDA/NRCS applied and planned conservation practices .................................................................... 5 Figure 3. Map showing the nine designated survey sectors for the Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond Watershed Survey ............................................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 4. NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by land-use type. .................................................................. 16 Figure 5. Map of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by land-use type ................................................. 17 Figure 6. Estimated impact of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed ........................................................... 18 Figure 7. Map of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by impact ranked low to high. .................. 19 Figure 8. Estimated cost of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed .................................................................. 21 Figure 9. Location and impact rating of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed .....................................22 v

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Figure 10. NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by impact rating and sector. ......................................25 Figure 11. NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by cost and sector ..............................................................25 Figure 12. NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by land use and sector ...................................................22 Figure 13. NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed by land-use type..............................................................27 Figure 14. Map of NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed by land-use type .......................................... 28 Figure 15. Estimated impact of NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed ..................................................... 29 Figure 16. Map of NPS sites for the Varnum Pond watershed by impact ranked low to high. ........ 30 Figure 17. Estimated cost of NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed ............................................................32 Figure 18. Location and cost of NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed .....................................................33 Figure 19. NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed by land-use type. .................................................................34 Figure 20. Map of NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed by land-use type...............................................35 Figure 21. Estimated impact of NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed.......................................................... 36 Figure 22. Map of NPS sites for the Pease Pond watershed by impact ranked low to high...............37 Figure 23. Estimated cost of NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed ............................................................... 39 Figure 24. Location and cost of NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed ........................................................ 40 Figure 25. Summary of recommendations by watershed .............................................................................................44

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2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

DESCRIPTION OF THE LAKES & THEIR WATERSHEDS Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond, and Pease Pond are located in the foothills of Maine's western lakes WATERSHED and mountains region in the Town of Wilton, The area of land around a Maine. Although not hydrologically connected to one another, all three ponds flow into Wilson lake that drains (or sheds) Stream, which flows to the Sandy River, and its water into the lake eventually into the Kennebec River which flows through streams, ditches, into the Gulf of Maine. The direct watershed as overland flow, or refers to the area of land that drains directly into a through groundwater. waterbody through many different means (e.g., streams, ditches, and groundwater). Runoff moves through a watershed via these same channels.

Therefore, it is important to document all land-use activities and erosion sites throughout the entire watershed that may currently, or have the potential to affect water quality. Below is a brief description of each of the study lakes and their direct watershed: Wilson Lake Watershed: The Wilson Lake watershed covers approximately 26 square miles of land across six towns and townships (Wilton, Temple, WILSON LAKE FACTS Washington TWP, Perkins TWP, Carthage and Watershed Area: 26 sq. mi Jay), though the majority of the watershed is located in Wilton and Temple. The lake itself Surface Area: 479 acres covers 479 acres1. The large undeveloped Maximum Depth: 88 feet upper watershed begins at Hills Pond in Perkins Plantation The pond's outlet stream Mean Depth: 27 feet joins with several other small tributaries Flushing Rate: 2.58 including Anderson Brook, Townshend Brook, Dakin Brook, Temple Brook, and Pine Brook which all flow into Wilson Stream. Wilson Stream is the major inlet to Wilson Lake on the north end of the lake. A few other small tributaries flow into Wilson Lake on the north end of the lake including Bates Brook. Wilson Stream flows through the lake, and is also serves as the outlet to Wilson Lake on the south end of the lake. A dam on Wilson Stream controls flow at the outlet, which also affects lake level. The flushing rate of Wilson Lake is estimated at 2.58 flushes/year.

Land uses in the watershed include both managed and unmanaged forests, agriculture, residential development along roadways and along the shoreline, commercial development 1

Maine DEP Lake Report: Wilson Lake, created 7/16/2015. http://www.lakesofmaine.org/data/2015reports/3682_WILSON%20P_1.pdf

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2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey including the Wilson Lake Golf Club on the northeast shore, the Wilson Lake Inn on the west shore, and a large commercial complex adjacent to the town office on the east side of the lake.

Town-owned Kineowatha Park is another notable watershed feature, comprised of 62 acres of land on the east shore of the lake. There are approximately 131 shoreline properties on Wilson Lake serviced by state, town and private roads. Large state-owned roads in the watershed include Rt. 2 and Rt. 156. The Foothills Land Conservancy holds a conservation easement on 238 acres of land including a large wetland complex at the head of the lake. A portion of this land is used for agriculture. There are two boat launches on Wilson Lake including a carry-in launch off Pond Rd. on the north end of the lake, and the larger launch at the south end of the lake.

Wilson Lake is used extensively for swimming, fishing, and boating and is important to the local economy. Historical water quality data that has been collected since 1974 indicates that the water quality of the lake is average with mean phosphorus and water clarity measurements at 8 ppb and 5.3 meters, respectively2. Dissolved oxygen profiles indicated low levels of oxygen in the deepest areas of the lake which can result in stress to cold water fish. Historical data indicates that water clarity in Wilson Lake has been declining steadily over the last ten years. In 2016, Wilson Lake was added to the State's Nonpoint Source Priority Watersheds List among 151 other threatened lakes across the state.

Certified volunteers collect water quality data on Wilson Lake on a monthly basis from May September FOWL is also active in the Maine Lake's Society's LakeSmart program, with 31 certified LakeSmart properties along the shoreline of the lake.

Varnum Pond Watershed: The Varnum Pond watershed includes 3.6 square miles of land in the towns of Wilton and Temple. With a surface area of 314 acres, Varnum Pond serves as the drinking water supply for the towns of Wilton and North Jay, servicing approximately 1,200 users. Varnum Pond's clear, cool, and deep water with adequate levels of dissolved oxygen supports an avid coldwater fishery including landlocked salmon, wild lake trout and brook trout. Boat launches are located off Varnum Pond Rd. in Temple, and off McGrath Rd. and at the end of the North Pond Rd. in Wilton.

The pond is closed to fishing during the winter. No live fish can be used as bait during the open water season.

VARNUM POND FACTS Watershed Area: 3.6 sq. mi Surface Area: 314 acres Maximum Depth: 75 ft Mean Depth: 37 ft Flushing Rate: 0.4

2

Maine DEP Lake Report, Wilson Pond. Water Chemistry and Trophic State Parameters, Created 7/16/2015: http://www.lakesofmaine.org/data/2015-reports/3682_WILSON%20P_1.pdf

2

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey While the majority of the pond is located in the Town of Wilton, the majority of the watershed is located north of the pond in the Town of Temple. The watershed is largely undeveloped, with large tracts of managed and unmanaged forest land, and several small streams and springs that feed into the pond. Bailey Brook is the most prominent inlet stream, located on the northwest corner of the pond. The residence time of water in Varnum Pond (0.4 flushes/yr) is longer than most Maine lakes (1.5 flushes/yr), meaning that what flows into Varnum Pond remains in the pond longer than other lakes. The outlet of Varnum Pond is located at the south end of the pond via Varnum Stream which eventually flows into Wilson Stream.

Residential development is limited on Varnum Pond with just six seasonal dwellings on the south end of the lake in Wilton, and approximately a dozen dwellings on the north side of the pond in Temple. Limited water quality data is available for Varnum Pond despite being a drinking water supply. Limited data indicate that phosphorus levels are low (5ppb) and water clarity readings are good (9.2 m). Varnum Pond is listed on the State's NPS Priority Watersheds List because it is a public drinking water supply. Long-term monitoring is needed on this pond.

Pease Pond Watershed: The Pease Pond watershed includes 2.2 square miles of land in the towns of Wilton and Jay. With a surface area of 109 acres, Pease Pond is the smallest of the study ponds with the smallest watershed area. Pease Pond is also the shallowest waterbody with an average depth of just 12 feet. Algal blooms have been reported on Pease Pond in 2003 and 20153, though water quality in the pond is considered "average" with average phosphorus and water clarity readings of 15 ppb and 4.4 m, respectively.4

PEASE POND FACTS Watershed Area: 2.2 sq. mi Surface Area: 109 acres Maximum Depth: 19 ft Mean Depth: 12 ft Flushing Rate: 2.1

While the pond is located completely within the Town of Wilton, close to half of the watershed area is located in the Town of Jay, with Bean's Corner (State Rt. 156 & Rt. 133) at the center of the Jay portion of the watershed. A small unnamed drainage flows north from Jay into Pease Pond on the south end of the lake.

Another stream/wetland drainage flows into the pond from the west, associated with the large wetland complex on the north end of the pond. The outlet of Pease Pond is located at the north end of the lake. The outlet stream flows north through a large forested wetland and eventually into Wilson Stream.

3

The 2015 algal bloom was reported by a landowner during the watershed survey.

Maine DEP Lake Report: Pease Pond, Created 7/16/2015: http://www.lakesofmaine.org/data/2015reports/5198_PEASE%20P_1.pdf 4

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2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Residential development is limited to rural roadways and along the shoreline of the pond. There are approximately 25 seasonal camps that are accessed by unimproved gravel roads on the shoreline. Many of the camps draw water from the pond for drinking, cooking and washing. Agriculture and forestry are dominant land uses in the Pease Pond watershed (Figure 1). Agricultural land is predominantly hay and pasture (beef cows).

Figure 1. Land-use map for Wilson, Varnum and Pease Ponds (Source: USDA/NRCS 2016).

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2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Farmers are active participants in the USDA/NRCS cost-share programs to install Best Management Practices that control erosion and limit nutrient inputs to the area streams/ponds (Figure 2).

Figure 2. USDA/NRCS Applied and Planned Conservation Practices (Source: USDA/NRCS 2016)

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2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

WATER QUALITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; WHY IS WATER QUALITY AT RISK? The biggest pollution culprit in Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond, as in other Maine lakes, is polluted runoff or nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Stormwater runoff from rain and snowmelt picks up soil, nutrients and other pollutants as it flows across the land, and washes into the lake.

In an undeveloped, forested watershed, stormwater runoff is slowed and filtered by tree and shrub roots, grasses, leaves, and other natural debris on the forest floor. It then soaks into the uneven forest floor and filters through the soil.

POLLUTED RUNOFF Also called NPS or nonpoint source pollution. Soil, fertilizers, septic waste and other pollutants from diffuse sources across the landscape that are carried into a waterbody by rainfall.

In a developed watershed, however, stormwater does not always receive the filtering treatment the forest once provided. Rain water picks up speed as it flows across impervious surfaces like rooftops, compacted soil, gravel camp roads and pavement, or picks up nutrients and sediment on logging roads and agricultural land and delivers these materials to the nearest ditch, stream or lake.

The study watersheds all contain rural residential development along roadways, with pockets of higher-density residential development along the shoreline. Because the majority of lakeshore residents are seasonal, there is a significant increase in the summer population on these lakes and ponds.

Runoff from existing development and roads as well as any new development and/or seasonal conversions needs to be managed properly to prevent delivery of pollutants into the lakes; especially along the shoreline or at major stream crossings, where soils have a direct route into the lake.

If not properly built and/or maintained, culverts and ditches can have a significant impact on water quality of our lakes and streams.

Both Wilson Lake and Pease Pond contain stretches of state roads, and all three watersheds contain a mix of town and private roads. Pease Pond has the greatest number of unpaved private roads near the shoreline.

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2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

WHY IS RUNOFF A PROBLEM? The problem with runoff is not necessarily the water itself, but the sediment and nutrients that get carried by and delivered to lakes in stormwater runoff.

Phosphorus, a naturally occurring element is considered a nutrient which provides food for algae and other aquatic plants. Phosphorus is found in soils, septic waste, animal waste and fertilizers.

Under natural conditions, phosphorus is limited in freshwater systems, which helps limit algae growth.

However, when a lake receives extra phosphorus from developed land, algae growth increases dramatically.

Sometimes this growth causes choking blooms, but more often it results in small changes in water quality that, over time, damage the ecology, aesthetics and economy of our lakes.

Example of an algal bloom as a result of excess phosphorus in East Pond, Belgrade, ME. (J. Jespersen)

Soil is the biggest source of phosphorus in Maine lakes.

As every gardener knows, phosphorus and other nutrients are naturally present in the soil. So, we are essentially “fertilizing” our lakes and ponds with the soil that erodes from our driveways, roads, ditches, pathways and beaches. Studies have shown that runoff from developed areas has 5 to 10 times the amount of phosphorus compared to runoff from forested areas. Runoff from agriculture and forestry can also contribute significant inputs of nutrients and sediments if not managed properly. This includes: fencing livestock out of streams, covering manure piles and maintaining natural vegetated buffers along waterways as well as proper management of forests that limit clear cutting, maintain buffers and limit runoff from roads that serve as access to the forest resources.

WHY PROTECT OUR LAKES FROM POLLUTED RUNOFF? 

Phosphorus reductions from developed land are needed to help protect the water quality of Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond.



All of these lakes serve as valuable habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife. A 2015 Beginning with Habitat mapping project of the Farmington area shows that all three watersheds have areas of High Value Plant and Animal Habitats5, especially on the north end of the ponds.



Wilson Lake supports 16 fish species- both cold and warm water species including a small native salmon population6. Varnum Pond supports 14 fish species including a wild

5

Beginning with Habitat Regional Map; Building a Regional Landscape, Farmington, August 2015: http://beginningwithhabitat.org/the_maps/pdfs/Farmington/Farmington%20Regional%20Map.pdf.

6

Maine DIFW: Wilson Pond, Wilton, Franklin County: https://www1.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/franklin/wilson_pond.pdf

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2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey population of lake trout, and is managed for coldwater game fish (stocked with salmon and brook trout)7. Pease Pond supports 12 fish species (warm water fish such as bass), but water quality is poor for coldwater game fish. Small populations of brook trout move into Pease Pond seasonally from the inlet and outlet streams8. 

All three lakes are home to some important wildlife species including the Common Loon, the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) and Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Under the Maine Endangered Species Act, all eagle nests are protected as Essential Habitat.

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Wilson Lake is susceptible to low levels of dissolved oxygen in the deepest parts of the lake. This loss of oxygen can be detrimental to coldwater fish that need the oxygen to survive. Sediment and attached nutrients delivered to the lake settle at the lake bottom, and when conditions are favorable (low levels of dissolved oxygen, lake turn-over), the phosphorus in these sediments can be released into the water column and result in an algal bloom.



Pease Pond is susceptible to algal blooms, having experienced blooms twice since 2003.

Management of agriculture and forestry is critical in this small watershed as is maintaining culverts and ditches along gravel roads that provide access to the shoreline development.

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Sediment deposited into lakes and ponds from erosion also creates the ideal environment for invasive species. A combination of sediment deposits and phosphorus rich water could make these lakes even more susceptible to the establishment of invasive species. These species can be transported via boats to other lakes and ponds. Pease Pond is susceptible to invasive plants because of its shallow depth, but is less likely to get an infestation because there is not public boat launch. An infestation in Varnum Pond could be extremely difficult to manage and very costly because it is a public drinking water supply.



A 1996 University of Maine study found that lake water quality affects property values. For every three foot decline in water clarity, shorefront property values can decline as much as 10 to 20%! Declining property values affect individual landowners as well as the entire community.

Wetland on the north end of Pease Pond (J. Jespersen) 7

Maine DIFW: Varnum Pond, Temple and Wilton, Franklin County: https://www1.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/franklin/varnum_pond.pdf 8 Maine DIFW: Pease Pond, Wilton, Franklin County: http://www.state.me.us/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/franklin/pease_pond.pdf

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2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

WHAT IS BEING DONE TO PROTECT OUR LAKES? The Friends of Wilson Lake and the Town of Wilton have taken many steps to protect the water quality in Wilson Lake. A summary of these activities is provided below:            

 

1974- First year of water quality monitoring on Wilson Lake. Wilson Lake now has 4 certified water quality monitors.

1989- Friends of Wilson Lake is formed.

1994- First watershed survey of Wilson Lake & Varnum Pond.

1994- Demonstration Project completed at Kineowatha Park to prevent erosion into the lake.

1995- University of Maine at Farmington students begin collecting water quality data on Wilson Lake.

2000- Erosion Control Projects completed at the foot of Wilson Lake.

The Town of Wilton places land on the south side of Varnum Pond in Resource Protection.

1999- The Foothills Land Conservancy purchased the 238 acre Wilson Lake Headwaters Land in June of 1999.

2001- Present Courtesy Boat Inspection Program organized and funded.

2002- First year of the FOWL Audubon Loon Count 2004- FOWL kicks-off the LakeSmart Program. More than 30 properties have been certified since the start of the program.

2004- 2010- Rapid Assessment of Aquatic Invasive Plant Species conducted by Agency Staff. Follow-up surveys (Level 2 and Level 3 surveys) were conducted by researchers in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

2016- Wilson Lake is listed on the State's Nonpoint Source Priority Watersheds List along with Varnum Pond.

2016- FOWL and the Town of Wilton team up to conduct a watershed survey of Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond. The Town receives a Source Water Protection Grant from the State to assist with the Varnum Pond survey.

FOWL was awarded the 2011 non-profit of the year by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.

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2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

SURVEY PURPOSE & METHODS PURPOSE OF THE WATERSHED SURVEY The primary purpose of the watershed survey is to: 

Identify and prioritize existing sources of polluted runoff, particularly soil erosion and stormwater runoff, in the Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond watersheds.



Raise public awareness about the connection between land use and water quality, and the impact of soil erosion on the water quality of the lakes.

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Inspire people to become active watershed stewards.

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Provide the basis to obtain funding to assist in addressing identified NPS sites.

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Use the information gathered as one component of a long-term lake protection strategy.

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Provide recommendations to landowners so that they can voluntarily address NPS issues identified on their properties.

The purpose of the survey was NOT to point fingers at landowners with a documented NPS site, nor was it to seek enforcement action against landowners not in compliance with local ordinances. It is the hope that through future projects, FOWL can continue to work cooperatively with landowners, road associations, and towns to protect water quality.

Local citizen participation was essential in completing the watershed survey and will be even more important in upcoming years. With the leadership of FOWL and partners such as the Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District, USDA/NRCS, the Town of Wilton, the Wilton Conservation Commission, UMF, and Spruce Mountain High School, there are ample opportunities for stewardship. The hope is that landowners will reflect on the results of the survey and the recommendations provided through the survey, and use some of the conservation measures. Everyone in the watershed has a stake in helping protect the water quality of Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond.

More than 40 watershed survey volunteers gathered at the Academy Hill School the morning of the survey.

10 Wilson Lake, October 2016 (Photo: J. Jespersen)

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

SURVEY METHODS The Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond watershed survey was conducted on September 24, 2016 with the help of 40 volunteers from the Friends of Wilson Lake (FOWL), University of Maine at Farmington (UMF), Spruce Mountain High School, and watershed residents. Trained technical staff from Ecological Instincts, Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Belgrade Regional Figure 3. Map showing the nine designated survey sectors for the Conservation Alliance, FB, Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond Watershed Survey.

Environmental and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife helped lead volunteers across nine watershed survey areas (Figure 3). Prior to the survey, FOWL and the Town of Wilton sent out 718 letters and an informational handout to all of the property owners in the three watersheds. Twenty-two properties were not included in the survey at the landowner's request. This included 10 properties in the Wilson Lake watershed, 5 properties in the Varnum Pond watershed, and 7 properties in the Pease Pond watershed. Fourteen letters were returned to FOWL due to an incorrect mailing address. These properties were not surveyed unless the landowner was home at the time of the survey and they gave explicit permission. Surveys within both Perkins and Washington Townships were limited to the road right-of-ways, as landowner information was not readily available for the mailing.

Forty volunteers were trained in survey techniques during a 1.25-hour classroom workshop led

by Ecological Instincts and Maine DEP on the morning of September 24, 2016 at the Academy Hill School in Wilton. Following the training, volunteers and technical staff spent the remainder of the day documenting sources of NPS pollution across a number of land uses including roads and road crossings, residential and municipal properties and boat launches using digital cameras, GPS units and standardized watershed field survey forms (Appendix A).

Volunteers were assigned to one of nine survey sectors across the three watersheds (see Figure 3, and sector descriptions next page). This included six sectors in the Wilson Lake watershed, two sectors in the Varnum Pond watershed, and one sector in the Pease Pond watershed.

11

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Prior to the survey, project team members met with FCSWCD and USDA/NRCS staff to get a better sense of existing and planned agricultural practices in both the Wilson and Varnum Pond watersheds.

One-on-one landowner meetings were scheduled with the Wilson Lake Golf Course, Kineowatha Park and a large landowner in the Pease Pond watershed.

Phone interviews were conducted with agricultural landowners as needed in the Pease Pond watershed.

Follow-up work was conducted in the Wilson Lake watershed on October 5th, and in the Pease Pond watershed on October 12th to complete the survey.

Sources of nonpoint source pollution were identified within each sector and documented using digital cameras and GPS units on standardized field sheets (Attachment 1). If there was not a direct connection from the potential source of NPS pollution to a ditch, stream, wetland or the lake, then the site was not documented (e.g. an eroding hillslope in which the soil did not leave the site). Potential solutions were recommended, rough estimates were made for the cost of labor and materials for improving the sites, and the overall impact to water quality and the level of technical assistance needed to complete the recommendations were also determined in the field for each site.

The data collected during the survey was entered into an Excel database and the documented NPS sites were plotted on maps using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Mapping coordinates were manually corrected if needed to account for poor satellite reception or human error in the field based on recorded address or tax map/lot number. A description of NPS sites, recommended actions, and associated costs are discussed in the next section.

Copy of the landowner letter and informational handout sent to over 700 residents in the Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond watersheds in September of 2016.

12

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

WILSON LAKE (Sectors 1 - 6) Sector

1- This sector is located on the southwest side of Wilson Lake and includes the

portion of the Wilson Lake watershed from the Wilson Lake Inn, east, to the boat landing at the outlet of the lake (but not including the boat landing). The Wilson Lake Inn, Lakeview Cemetery, Bass Park, Lake Road, and Rt. 2 are significant features in this sector.

Sector

2- This sector is located on the southeast side of Wilson Lake, and includes the

portion of the Wilson Lake watershed from the boat landing at the outlet of the lake, northwest, to just south of the Wilson Lake Country Club. Significant features of this sector include the boat launch, Kineowatha Park, commercial and municipal development at Barclay and the town sand/salt pile, the town office, residential development along Weld Rd., and other residential development along the shoreline.

Sector

3- This sector is located on the northeast side of Wilson Lake and includes the area

of the Wilson Lake watershed from the Wilson Lake Country Club to York Road. Significant features of this sector includes the Golf course, private residences on Country Club Drive, a portion of Weld Rd (156), Fenderson Hill, and Hanslip and York Roads. The northern part of this sector is largely undeveloped forestland.

Sector

4- This sector is located on the north end of Wilson Lake and includes a large area

of the headwaters of Wilson Lake from Hanslip Rd to Pond Rd., and north to Hills Pond in Perkins Township. Significant features of this sector include Temple Brook and Wilson Stream, the Foothills Conservancy property and other agricultural land. While largely consisting of undeveloped forestland, this sector includes large stretches of state, town and private roads and some active forestry.

Sector

5- This sector is located on the west side of Wilson Lake and stretches northwest

from the Lakeview Cemetery to Perkins Township. While largely undeveloped, this sector includes several town roads that run perpendicular to the lake including Guy Chandler Rd., Gammon Hill Rd., Walker Hill Rd., and a portion of Rt. 2. Sector 5 is the only survey sector that does not include lake front property.

Sector

6- This sector is located on the northwest shore of Wilson Lake from Craig's Cove

Rd. south to, but not including the Wilson Lake Inn. Significant features of this sector include residential shoreline development on Craig's Cove Rd., Camp Rd., Point Rd., portions of Lake and Pond roads, and Shore Rd. as well as the boat landing (carry-in only).

13

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

VARNUM POND (Sectors 7 - 8) Sector

7-

This sector is located in the Varnum Pond watershed, and includes the

developed land on the north side of the lake in the Town of Temple. Significant watershed features include stream crossings and residential development on Varnum Pond Rd. and Pine Point Rd, and the boat launch on Access Rd. Sector

8- This sector includes the Wilton portion of the Varnum Pond watershed on the

south side of the lake. Residential development is limited on this side of the lake largely as a result of resource protection because the pond is the drinking water supply for the towns of Wilton and North Jay. Roads surveyed in this sector include Magrath, Farmer, Rupert, Gibbons, Mellen and Ernest.

PEASE POND (Sector 9) Sector

9-

Sector 9 includes the entire watershed area of Pease Pond.

The upper

watershed is located in the Town of Jay and includes the area around Bean's Corner. The Wilton portion of the watershed includes Pease Pond and sparsely developed residential development on town and private roads and seasonal camps along the shoreline.

Agricultural land is a dominant feature of this watershed.

Pease Pond, October 2016 (Photo: J. Jespersen)

14

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

WATERSHED SURVEY RESULTS SUMMARY OF SURVEY FINDINGS Volunteers and technical staff identified 89 sites across the three watersheds that are currently, or have the potential to negatively affect the water quality of these lakes (Attachments 2-4). The greatest number of sites (62) were documented in the Wilson Lake watershed, followed by Pease Pond (16 sites) and Varnum Pond (11 sites). Some key conclusions from the survey include:

Lake/Pond

Wilson Lake Pease Pond Varnum Pond Total

# of NPS Sites 62 16 11 89



Everyone has a stake in improving water quality. That’s because NPS sites were identified across a variety of different land uses throughout the three watersheds. The state, towns and residential landowners will all need to work together to reduce the impact that NPS pollution has on these lakes.



Roads: In rural watersheds development is typically focused along major roads servicing residential development. These watersheds are no exception. In all three watersheds, state, town and private road sites Road runoff contributes to made up 50% or more of the documented sites in each significant soil erosion into nearby watershed. In Wilson and Varnum watersheds this was Wilson Lake in Sector 1. dominated by town roads, whereas private roads made up the majority of documented road sites in the Pease Pond watershed. High impact road sites, especially at stream crossings, should be considered high priority for lake protection.



Residential Development: In rural lake watersheds, residential development is typically located along the shoreline serviced by private gravel roads, and on major roadways.

Varnum Pond was the exception to shoreline development due to a large area of resource protection on the south side of the lake. Development on Pease Pond is seasonal, whereas Wilson Lake has a mix of year-round and seasonal homes. In all three watersheds, residential development was ranked the second highest land-use category behind town roads (Wilson and Varnum) or private roads (Pease). High and medium impact sites should be considered high priority for lake protection. Programs such as the FOWL LakeSmart program can help provide guidance to landowners about designing and installing Best Management Practices (BMPs), including shoreline buffers, rain gardens and roof dripline trenches.

Because each watershed is unique in its size, land-uses and landownership, survey results are presented below for each waterbody starting with the largest watershed and finishing with the smallest. Survey data for each watershed are provided in Attachments 2 -4.

15

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

RESULTS WILSON LAKE WATERSHED A total of 62 NPS sites were documented in the Wilson Lake watershed across ten different land-use types (Figure 4). (Note: residential homes and driveways were documented separately in the field for tracking purposes.) Town roads and residential properties had the highest number of documented sites.

Number of NPS Sites by Land Use Type Wilson Lake Watershed

Number of NPS Sites

25 20

18

16

15 10 5

9 6

4

4

2

1

1

1

0

Figure 4. NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by land-use type.

Geographically, the majority of NPS Sites in the Wilson Lake watershed are located near the shoreline, with a handful of sites associated with roads and stream crossings in the larger Wilson Lake watershed (Figure 5).

Impact of NPS Sites: The impact that documented NPS sites may have on water quality was determined in the field based on the proximity to a waterbody, and the magnitude of the problem. Factors such as slope, soil type, amount of eroding soil, and buffer size are also considered. A closer look at the estimated impact of these sites shows that while the total number of sites seems high, there are only a handful of sites that are considered high impact (5), whereas the greatest number of sites are considered low impact (32) (Table 1). All five high impact sites are located at either a state, town or a private road site. Three of these sites flow directly into the lake and two into a stream that flows to the lake. Looking at the other end of the spectrum- of the 32 low impacts sites, the majority were associated with residential properties (12), town road sites (7) and driveways (6).

16

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Figure 5. Map of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by land-use type.

17

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Table 1. Summary of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by land use and impact.

High Impact

Medium Impact

Low Impact

Total # of Sites

% of Total

Town Road

2

9

7

18

29%

Residential

0

4

12

16

26%

State Road

2

5

2

9

15%

Driveway

0

0

6

6

10%

Private Road

1

2

1

4

6%

Municipal/Public

0

3

1

4

6%

Boat Access

0

0

2

2

3%

Beach Access

0

0

1

1

2%

Commercial

0

1

0

1

2%

Undeveloped

0

1

0

1

2%

Total

5

25

32

62

100%

Land Use

Estimated Impact of Wilson Lake NPS Sites 8% High Impact 52%

Medium Impact

40%

Low Impact

Figure 6. Estimated impact of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed.

Low impact sites are those with limited transport of soil off-site.

Medium impact sites exhibit sediment transportation off-site, but the erosion does not reach high magnitude.

High impact sites are those with large areas of significant erosion and direct flow to water.

18

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Figure 7. Map of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by impact ranked low to high.

19

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey All told, more than half of documented sites in the Wilson Lake watershed are considered low impact (52%) (Figures 6 & 7). Forty percent (40%) of sites were ranked medium impact, while only 8% of sites were ranked high impact (Figure 6).

Examples of unstable boat access sites on Camp Rd. (left), and Shore Dr. (right) in Sector 6.

Roads & Driveways: Road sites generally have larger erosion problems, which in turn result in a more significant impact on the water quality of the lake and can be more costly than other fixes.

Five (5) road sites were ranked high impact and should be prioritized for remediation in the near future.

 Including town roads, state roads, private roads and driveways, there are 37 road-based sites (60%). The greatest number of problems were identified on town roads, followed by state roads, driveways and private roads (Figure 5, Table 1). Many of the town road problems are related to unstable culvert inlets/outlets, as well as ditch and shoulder erosion. Two of the 20 town road sites were ranked high impact.

Example of a high impact state road site at

 State road sites were located on either Hills Pond in Sector 4.

Rt. 156 (Weld Rd.) or Rt. 2, and featured similar problems as the town road sites. Two of the state road sites were ranked high impact near Hills Pond due to moderate-severe shoulder erosion.  Problems with private roads were related primarily to surface erosion, erosion in the ditch, or a failing culvert. Only one private road site was ranked high impact (Site 2-12).  All of the driveway sites were associated with unpaved driveways in Sectors 3 and 5 and were ranked low impact.

20

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Municipal/Public: Four (4) municipal or public NPS sites were documented in the Wilson Lake watershed.

These include the pump station near the bridge in Sector 1, the town office, and two sites at Kineowatha Park. Three of these sites were ranked medium impact, and one was ranked low.

Other (Boat/Beach Access, Commercial): Five (5) sites (~8%) documented within the watershed are attributed to either: boat (1), beach access (1), commercial development (1), or on undeveloped land (1). Two of these sites were ranked medium impact, while three were ranked low impact.

Cost of NPS Sites: Recommendations were made for improving each site, along with the estimated cost of labor and materials for all 62 sites. Four of these sites are estimated to incur a high cost (over $2,500), while the remainder of sites were split between low (less Failing retaining wall at Kineowatha Park than $500) and medium cost ($500- $2,500). The high(top), and culvert maintenance and buffer cost sites are associated with the pump station in improvements needed at the Wilson Lake Sector 1, an eroding ditch on Fuller Street, the retaining Golf Club. wall at Kineowatha Park, and a state road site in Sector 4 (med-high). Two of the high impact sites were also considered high cost. This may suggest a need for prioritizing high impact sites as high priority for remediation.

Estimated Cost of Wilson Lake NPS Sites 5% High Cost Medium Cost

42% 53%

Low Cost

Figure 8. Estimated cost of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed.

Low cost sites were estimated to cost less than $500.

Medium cost sites range from $500 to $2,500.

High cost refers to sites estimated to cost more than $2,500.

21

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Figure 9. Location and impact rating of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed.

22

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

SECTOR OVERVIEW Sector 1 Sector 1 had a total of 10 documented NPS sites. The majority of sites are located on town roads (5) and state roads (3). The remaining two sites were on residential or municipal property.

Six (6) of the sites were ranked low impact, and four (4) medium impact. Sector one did not have any high impact sites, and seven of the 10 sites were ranked low cost.

Sector 2 With 15 NPS sites, Sector 2 contains the greatest number of sites per sector, and the greatest number of residential sites Town road site in Sector 1 with among the six sectors. Sector 2 also contains the boat landing Japanese knotweed. at the south end of the lake, as well as some larger properties including Kineowatha Park, Barclay/Town office, the town salt/sand pile and Bass Point Cottages. Despite having the highest number of sites, the impact of these sites were medium (6 sites) to low impact (7 sites), and only two sites were ranked high impact. Similarly, ten of the 15 sites are considered low cost (<$500) which might classify them as the low-hanging fruit. Management practices in this category may include adding native vegetation to enhance shoreline buffers, Residential site in Sector 2 with an reseeding or adding mulch to bare or thinning soil areas, unstable access road leading to diverting water off driveways with a runoff diverter, or adding a the lake. rain garden or dripline trench to capture roof runoff. The rain garden at Kineowatha Park would be a good site for a demonstration project.

Sector 3 Sector 3 had the fewest number of sites per sector in the watershed (7 sites). These sites included a fairly even mix of residential (2), driveway (2), commercial (1) and town road (1) sites. All of the sites were ranked either low or medium impact and cost. All three of the low cost sites are located on Country Club Rd. and could be addressed with minimal effort.

23

Adding new surface material (gravel or erosion control mulch) to driveways can help prevent runoff from surface erosion as seen at this site in Sector 3.

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Sector 4 Sector 4 had the second lowest number of documented NPS sites (9) behind Sector 3. Yet, this sector had the highest number of high impact sites (3) and the fewest number of low impact sites (2). All three high impact sites are located on state or town roads (Rt. 156 and Pond Rd.).

All but one site in this sector was associated with a road.

Recommendations include resurfacing and re-grading, stabilizing culvert inlets/outlets and road shoulders, enlarging culverts, and installing plunge pools at culvert outlets. Close coordination is needed with Maine DOT to ensure that these high impact sites are addressed.

Sector 5

Moderate-severe road shoulder erosion along Rt. 156 flows into a tributary of Wilson Lake.

Sector 5 had 10 documented NPS sites; six which ranked low impact, while the remainder were ranked medium impact (4). There were no high impact sites in this sector.

All but three of the sites were located on roads or driveways outside the immediate shoreline, however, three of the sites are directly connected to a tributary stream. Four sites are considered both low impact and low cost.

Recommendations for the road and driveway sites include reshaping the road so that water runs off in both directions (crowning), armoring and reshaping ditches, removing clogs from culverts and stabilizing culvert inlets/outlets, and adding runoff diverters to driveways.

Four sites in this sector were removed from the final list of sites either because they fell outside the watershed boundary or the landowner requested it.

Road sand built up on the bridge over Wilson Stream on Tobin Flat Rd. gets washed through and into the stream.

Sector 6 Sector 6 had the second greatest number of NPS sites (11) behind Sector 2. The majority of these sites were ranked low impact and medium cost (7). There were no high impact or high cost sites in this sector. Residential (5 sites) and town road sites (4) dominated this sector. Residential sites were largely associated with bare soil, lack of shoreline vegetation, roof runoff erosion and unstable shoreline access, whereas road sites were associated with unstable culverts, shoulder erosion and ditch erosion.

Unstable shoreline access at a residential site off Rt. 2 in Sector 6.

24

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Impact Rating of Wilson Lake NPS Sites by Sector 8

Number of NPS Sites

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1

2

3

4

5

6

Sector # High Impact

Medium Impact

Low Impact

Figure 10. NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by impact rating and sector.

Number of NPS Sites

Cost of Wilson Lake NPS Sites by Sector 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1

2

3

4

5

Sector # High Cost

Medium Cost

Low Cost

Figure 11. NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by cost and sector.

25

6

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Land Use of NPS Sites by Sector Wilson Lake Watershed 7 6

Number of NPS Sites

5 4 3 2 1 0

Town Road Residential State Road Driveway

Private Road

Municipal/ Boat Access Public

Beach Access

Commercial

Undev.

Sector 1

5

1

3

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

Sector 2

2

6

0

0

3

3

1

0

0

0

Sector 3

1

2

1

2

0

0

0

0

1

0

Sector 4

3

0

5

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

Sector 5

3

2

0

4

0

0

0

0

0

1

Sector 6

4

5

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

0

Figure 12. NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed by land use and sector.

26

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

RESULTS VARNUM POND WATERSHED A total of 11 NPS sites were documented in the Varnum Pond watershed across five different land-use types. Town roads and residential properties made up the majority of the sites (Figure 13).

Number of NPS Sites by Land Use Type Number of NPS Sites

Varnum Pond Watershed 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1

1

Municipal/Public

Boat Access

1 0

Town Road

Residential

Private Road

Figure 13. NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed by land-use type.

Geographically, there are seven (7) NPS sites located on the north side of the lake in Temple, mostly on town and private roads associated with culverts and stream crossings, and two sites associated with the boat launch. All four town road sites are located on Varnum Pond Rd. The remaining sites, located on the Wilton side of the watershed (4 sites), are primarily associated with residential properties with the exception of site 8-4 on Rupert Rd. (Figure 14).

Impact of NPS Sites: The impact that documented NPS sites may have on the water quality of Varnum Pond was determined in the field based on the proximity to a waterbody, and the magnitude of the problem. Factors such as slope, soil type, amount of eroding soil, and buffer size are also considered. Survey results indicate that more than half of the sites ranked high impact, about a third of sites ranked medium impact, and just over a quarter of sites ranked low impact (Figure 14). Although town roads had the most number of sites, only one of these sites ranked high impact, whereas two of three residential sites ranked high (Table 2). The two low impact sites are associated with surface erosion at the bridge flowing over Bailey Brook, An undercut shoreline on a and an undersized culvert on Pine Point Rd (Figure 15). residential property on Varnum Pond in Wilton.

27

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Figure 14. Map of NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed by land-use type.

28

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Table 2. Summary of NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed by land use and impact.

High Impact

Medium Impact

Low Impact

Total # of Sites

% of Total

Town Road

1

2

1

4

36%

Residential

2

1

0

3

27%

Private Road

1

0

1

2

18%

Municipal/Public

1

0

0

1

9%

Boat Access

1

0

0

1

9%

6

3

2

11

100%

Land Use

Total

Estimated Impact of Varnum Pond NPS Sites High Impact Medium Impact Low Impact

18%

27%

55%

Figure 15. Estimated impact of NPS sites in the Varnum Pond Watershed.

Low impact sites are those with limited transport of soil off-site.

Medium impact sites exhibit sediment transportation off-site, but the erosion does not reach high magnitude.

High impact sites are those with large areas of significant erosion and direct flow to water.

29

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Figure 16. Map of NPS sites for the Varnum Pond watershed by impact ranked low to high.

30

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Roads: Road sites generally have larger erosion problems, which in turn result in a more significant impact on the water quality of the lake, and can be more costly than other fixes. Four out of six road sites were ranked high or medium impact and should be prioritized for remediation in the near future.

ď ˝ Multiple road sites were identified on Varnum Pond Rd. in Temple. Sites 7-3 and 7-4 both have undersized culverts and are under significant fills making them a challenge for the town to maintain. 7-4 has the added issue of chronic slope failure.

Both of these sites and site 7-7 flow into Varnum Pond. ď ˝ Problems with private roads were related to surface erosion, shoulder erosion, and undersized culverts on Rupert Rd. and Pine Pt. Rd. The Rupert Rd. site was ranked high impact, whereas the other was ranked low.

Slope erosion above the culvert outlet on Varnum Pond Rd.

Residential: Three (3) residential sites were documented on the south shore of Varnum Pond on Ernest Rd. and Rupert Rd. NPS problems were primarily associated with shoreline erosion and inadequate shoreline vegetation or unstable access to the shore, and an unstable ditch draining to the lake.

Other: Sites 7-1 (boat access) and 7-2 (municipal/public) are associated with the boat launch and access road on the northeast corner of the lake in Temple near the Wilton/Temple town line. Both sites are ranked high impact and should be considered a high priority by the town. Recommendations for the launch include reshaping the road and installing broad-based dips, and establishing a vegetated buffer at the shoreline. Recommendations for the road include vegetating the ditch and removing existing grader/plow berms, adding gravel and reshaping the road and adding broad-based dips to get water off the road.

Shoreline erosion at a residential property (top); and boat launch on Varnum Pond in Temple (bottom).

31

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Several culverts in the Varnum Pond watershed are unstable, broken, or undersized, resulting in delivery of excess sediment to Varnum Pond.

Cost of NPS Sites: Recommendations were made for improving each NPS site identified in the Varnum Pond watershed along with the estimated cost of labor and materials for all 11 sites.

Because the majority of sites are related to improving roads, the costs fall out in the medium to high range to fix (Figures 17 & 18). There are no low cost sites. Reshaping and resurfacing roads and replacing culverts, and reshaping and armoring ditches with stone fall into the high cost category. In the case of Varnum Pond results, there are no "low hanging fruit" (e.g. sites with high impact but low cost). Therefore, priorities should focus on addressing sites that have the greatest impact to water quality and possibly also improve wildlife habitat. Cost estimates herein are for planning purposes only. Final cost estimates for any site should be determined on a site-by-site basis prior to construction by requesting a professional estimate from a contractor certified in sediment and erosion control.

Estimated Cost for Varnum Pond NPS Sites High Cost 45%

55%

Medium Cost Low Cost

Figure 17. Estimated cost of NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed.

Low cost sites were estimated to cost less than $500.

Medium cost sites range from $500 to $2,500.

High cost refers to sites estimated to cost more than $2,500.

32

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Figure 18. Location and cost of NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed.

33

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

RESULTS PEASE POND WATERSHED A total of 16 NPS sites were documented in the Pease Pond watershed across seven different land-use types. Private roads and residential properties made up the majority of the sites (Figure 19).

Number of NPS Sites by Land Use Type

Number of NPS Sites

Pease Pond Watershed 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

5 4 2

2 1

Private Road

1

1

Residential Driveway Town Road State Road Commercial Boat Access

Figure 19. NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed by land-use type.

Geographically, the majority of NPS sites are located on residential or private road sites near the shoreline on the southern half of the lake, or on roads outside the immediate shoreline. Three of the 16 sites are located in the Town of Jay, while the majority of the sites (13) are located in Wilton (Figure 20).

Impact of NPS Sites: The impact that documented NPS sites may have on the water quality of Pease Pond was determined in the field based on the proximity to a waterbody, and the magnitude of the problem. Factors such as slope, soil type, amount of eroding soil, and buffer size are also considered. Survey results indicate that approximately one-third of the sites ranked high impact, while onequarter of sites ranked low impact. The remainder of sites (44%) ranked medium impact (Table 3 & Figure 21). Private road sites had both the most number of total sites by land-use type as well as the most number of high and medium impact sites (2 each) (Table 3). Three out of five of the high impact sites are associated with unstable or The north end of Pease Pond is undersized culverts on private and state roads. The four undeveloped, while the remainder of low impact sites included two shoreline residential the shoreline is sparsely developed properties, and two road sites (Figure 22). with seasonal camps.

34

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Figure 20. Map of NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed by land-use type.

35

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Table 3. Summary of NPS sites by land use and impact.

High Impact

Medium Impact

Low Impact

Total # of Sites

% of Total

Private Road

2

2

1

5

31%

Residential

1

1

2

4

25%

Driveway

1

1

0

2

13%

Town Road

0

1

1

2

13%

State Road

1

0

0

1

6%

Commercial

0

1

0

1

6%

Boat Access

0

1

0

1

6%

5

7

4

16

100%

Land Use

Total

Estimated Impact of Pease Pond NPS Sites 25%

High Impact Medium Impact Low Impact

31%

44%

Figure 21. Estimated impact of NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed.

Low impact sites are those with limited transport of soil off-site.

Medium impact sites exhibit sediment transportation off-site, but the erosion does not reach high magnitude.

High impact sites are those with large areas of significant erosion and direct flow to water.

36

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Figure 22. Map of NPS sites for the Pease Pond watershed by impact ranked low to high.

37

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Roads: 63% of all NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed are associated with driveways and roads. Road sites (including driveways) generally have larger erosion problems, which in turn result in a more significant impact on the water quality of the local lakes and streams, and can be more costly than other fixes. Four out of five high impact sites are located on roads and should be prioritized for remediation in the near future. Additionally, four of the seven medium impact sites are associated with roads as well as an additional two low impact road sites.

 Multiple road sites were identified across private, town and state roads in the watershed indicating that road maintenance does not fall on any one user group.  Two road sites are located on private roads that have been naturalized into a recreational trail. The landowner is currently working with USDA/NRCS to address the problem. 

Private gravel roads and driveways that service the seasonal camps along the shoreline require annual upkeep to prevent erosion.

Example of a private road on the southeast shore of Pease Pond.

Residential: Four (4) residential sites were documented on Pease Pond; two off Stoney Fields Rd. and two off Russell Rd. NPS problems were primarily associated with bare soil, roof runoff erosion and inadequate shoreline vegetation. One high impact site was identified which included an unstable ditch/channel flowing down a steep slope and directly into the lake. Follow-up field work is needed to determine the source of the drainage and ways to reduce or mitigate the effects of runoff in this channel.

Other: Sites 9-10 (boat access) and 9-14 (commercial) are associated with beach access at a residential property on Pease Pond Rd, and a large unpaved parking lot at Bean's Corner, respectively. Recommendations for the boat access include installing runoff diverters. For the parking lot, designating travel ways, resurfacing and reshaping the parking lot, and creating a rain garden would help reduce the sediment laden runoff to the road side ditch that flows to a catch basin at the intersection.

Shoreline erosion at a residential property (top); and rill erosion at a driveway/boat access site (bottom).

38

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Several culverts in the Pease Pond watershed are unstable, broken, or undersized, resulting in delivery of excess sediment to the lake. High impact culverts on a private road (left), and state road (right).

Cost of NPS Sites: Recommendations were made for improving each NPS site identified in the Pease Pond watershed along with the estimated cost of labor and materials for all 16 sites.

Because the majority of sites are related to improving roads, the majority of costs fall out in the medium (8 sites) to high range (5 sites) to fix (Figures 23 & 24). Three sites were ranked low cost (Sites 9-5, 9-7 and 9-9). Four out of five high costs sites are associated with unstable or undersized culverts. Armoring the inlets and outlets of culverts with rip rap and installing plunge pools at the outlets as well as vegetating road shoulders and stream banks and ditches will help reduce the amount soil erosion and associated nutrients that flow into Pease Pond.

Consideration should be made for forming road associations on private roads that require annual maintenance or major road upgrades to help divide the costs among multiple landowners.

Estimated Cost of Pease Pond NPS Sites 19%

31%

High Cost Medium Cost Low Cost

50%

Figure 23. Estimated cost of NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed.

Low cost sites were estimated to cost less than $500.

Medium cost sites range from $500 to $2,500.

High cost refers to sites estimated to cost more than $2,500.

39

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Figure 24. Location and cost of NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed.

40

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

RESIDENTIAL AREAS Problem: BARE SOIL, SURFACE EROSION, INADEQUATE SHORELINE VEGETATION Solution: Control runoff from impervious surfaces. Use erosion control mulch in areas with exposed soil, and plant vegetation along shoreline to stabilize banks and filter runoff.

Sector 9: Site 7

Erosion Control Mulch & Vegetative Plantings

Vegetated buffers filter out pollutants

(Photo: AWWA)

(Photo: Maine DEP)

Problem: ROOF DRIPLINE EROSION & UNSTABLE SHORELINE ACCESS Solution: Install gravel dripline trenches at roof edge or drywell at gutter down spouts. Install infiltration steps on slopes and use erosion control mulch on bare soil areas.

Sector 5: Site 14

Water bars prevents sedimentation to Lake (Photo: AWWA)

Sector 6: Site 6

Vegetated buffers filter out pollutants (Photo: Maine DEP)

Dripline Trench & Erosion Control Mulch

Infiltration Steps Protect Steep Slopes w/Foot Traffic

(Photo: AWWA)

(Photo: AWWA)

41

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

ROADS Problem: ROAD SHOULDER EROSION & WINTER SAND Solution: Install erosion controls such as rip rap to protect bare soil and install infiltration drainage swales and plunge pools to help manage stormwater on roadways to capture pollutants prior to discharging to streams and lakes. Clean up winter sand in the spring.

Sector 4: Site2

Armored road shoulder to reduce erosion

Plunge pool collecting runoff

Problem: DITCH EROSION, UNSTABLE OR UNDERSIZED CULVERTS & ROAD EROSION Solution: Line ditches with rock and vegetate for stability; replace failing, plugged, crushed or undersized culverts and stabilize inlets/outlets with rip rap; regrade gravel roads, add new surface material and install ditching where needed, add runoff diverters.

Sector 9: Site8

Reshape gravel roads, remove berms, and add new surface material

42

Install runoff diverters on private gravel roads (box culvert)

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

DRIVEWAYS Problem: MODERATE TO SEVERE SURFACE EROSION Solution: Re-grade, reshape and/or crown driveways; add new surface material; install runoff diverters such as rubber razors or water bars.

Sector 3: Site 2

Rubber razors direct water off driveways and into vegetation

Resurfacing driveways with hard-packing, cohesive surface material prevents erosion

OTHER (BEACH/BOAT ACCESS, COMMERCIAL) Problem: SURFACE EROSION, BARE SOIL, UNDERCUT BANK, LACK OF SHORELINE VEGETATION Solution: Add to buffer and rebuild wall (left & center); resurface and reshape driveway and install runoff diverters and rain garden.

Sector 1: Site 1

Sector 2: Site 16

43

Sector 9: Site 14

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Summary of Findings & Next Steps SUMMARY OF SURVEY FINDINGS The 2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond watershed survey identified 89 individual nonpoint source (NPS) pollution sites across three lake watersheds. The survey focused on all developed land that drains to or has the potential to drain to these lakes, carrying stormwater and other pollutants of concern to the lakes. Survey results indicate that a significant portion of NPS sites are located on roads and residential properties. The cumulative effect of state, town and private road sites, residential properties and driveways, and municipal and commercial properties all contribute to the excess phosphorus being delivered to these lakes. With leadership from the Friends of Wilson Lake (FOWL) and the watershed towns, landowners can be better informed about the impact that their property has on the lake, and what they can do to make a difference, one property at a time. Figure 24 (below) provides a summarized list of recommendations for each watershed:

Wilson Lake

Varnum Pond

Pease Pond

(62 sites)

(11 sites)

(16 sites)

• The greatest number of NPS sites are located on town roads (18) and residential properties along the shoreline (16).

•The greatest number of NPS sites are located on town roads (4) and residential properties (3).

•Combined, town roads and state road sites make up 44% of all documented sites. Stakeholders should contact state and town represenatives to address high and medium impact sites.

•12 of the 16 residential NPS sites were ranked low impact. FOWL should work with these landowners through the LakeSmart program.

• Four munipal/public sites were identified during the survey.

FOWL should work with the Town of Wilton to remediate these sites.

•FOWL and the Town of Wilton should consider development of a Watershed-Based Protection Plan to develop a detaild schedule for implementation and funding.

•More than half (55%) of NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed were ranked high impact. These sites should be considered high priority for restoration.

• Several high and medium impact road sites were associated with road crossings on Varnum Pond Rd. Stakeholders should work with the Town of Temple to address these problems first.

•The towns of Wilton and Temple should collaborate on the development of aSource Water Protection Plan for Varnum Pond to assist with long-term protection of this valuable drinking water supply and to assist with acquiring future grants to address high impact problems.

Figure 25. Summary of recommendations by watershed.

44

• The greatest number of NPS sites are located on private roads (5) and residential properties along the shoreline (4). The five high impact sites should be addressed immediately.

• Reach out to Pease Pond residential property owners to determine the interest in forming a lake association or getting started with LakeSmart.

•Private road owners should consider forming a road association to help with maintaining gravel roads.

• Distribute educational information to shorefront property owners about the importance of vegetated buffers.

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

PRIORITIZING NPS SITES At the third and final watershed planning steering committee meeting at the Wilson Lake Inn on November 17, 2016, 18 committee members participated in the process of prioritizing the 89 sites identified during the 2016 watershed survey. The committee split into two groups, with one group focused on prioritizing the Wilson Lake survey results (Table 4), while the second group worked on prioritizing the sites in both the Varnum Pond (Table 5) and Pease Pond watersheds (Table 6).

Table 4. Prioritized list of NPS sites in the Wilson Lake watershed.

Site ID*

Location

Site Notes

2-12

Shea Street/Bass Point Cottages

High impact site- install runoff diverters and work with landowner on LakeSmart Certification

2-4

Fuller Street

High impact site- clean out culvert and armor ditch with stone

4-6 through 48

Bridge and Intersection of Rt. 156, Pond Road and Hanslip Road

Reduce effects of erosion near bridge abutment and stabilize ditches and culverts

1-1

Town Pump Station

Replace culvert, rebuild retaining wall, install infiltration trench on dripline and add to shoreline buffer

6-8 & 6-9

Pond Road Culverts

Armor culvert inlets/outlets, enlarge culverts, install plunge pools

State Road Sites

Rt. 2 & Rt. 156

Send letter to Maine DOT describing sites and requesting a meeting to discuss remediation timeline

Kineowatha Park

Multiple Sites Near Shoreline

Repair/replace failing retaining wall and plant shoreline vegetation; capture runoff from cabin with a rain garden; install runoff diverter on road/path and add Erosion Control Mulch to all bare soil areas.

3-5

OtherMonitoring

Fenderson Hill Rd. Ditches

Add/repair check dams in ditch. Ensure regular maintenance of ditch & check dams to clean out winter sand and prevent erosion of ditch.

Develop a wet weather monitoring program to determine phosphorus concentrations at strategic stream inlets to Wilson Lake.

Stream Inlets

* List of Wilson Lake sites are not listed in order of priority.

45

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Table 5. Prioritized list of NPS sites in the Varnum Pond watershed.

Site ID*

Location

Site Notes

7-6

Varnum Pond Road at Bailey Brook Crossing

Roadway shoulder failure flows directly to Varnum Pond via Bailey Brook. Reshape ditch, remove plow/grader berms, crown road

7-1 & 7-2

Boat launch & Access Road (Temple)

Reshape (crown) road, add gravel and build up road, install broad-based dip runoff diverters, and establish buffer at shoreline

7-3

Culvert on Varnum Pond Road

Reduce effects of erosion near bridge abutment and stabilize ditches and culverts

7-4

Culvert on Varnum Pond Road

Replace culvert, rebuild retaining wall, install infiltration trench on dripline and add to shoreline buffer

Other

Establish a Varnum Pond Subcommittee

Establish a subcommittee that will present survey results to the Town of temple and seek grants to restore high priority sites

* List of Varnum Pond sites are listed in order of priority beginning with the highest priority.

Table 6. Prioritized list of NPS sites in the Pease Pond watershed.

Site ID*

Location

Site Notes

9-8

Right of Way to Lake off Russell Road

High impact site used by permission by locals for fishing carry-in boating. Reshape road and add new surface materials, add runoff diverters and turnouts; install infiltration steps or install ECM at shoreline.

9-3

Culvert and Stream Channel on Cottage Road

Replace undersized culvert and stabilize stream banks

9-11

Culvert on Rt. 133 across from Emerson Brooks Street

Work with Maine DOT to realign perched culvert with stream grade, armor culvert inlet/outlet and protect stream banks

9-15 & 9-16

Two sites on Russell Road Extension

Stabilize undercut stream bank and path to stream with vegetative plantings; replace broken culvert and install vegetative plantings along streambank.

* List of Pease Pond sites are listed in order of priority beginning with the highest priority.

46

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

NEXT STEPS - WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Improving the NPS sites identified during the watershed survey will require efforts by state and local municipal officials, FOWL, individual landowners, and road associations. Developing a plan for addressing these sites should be a high priority for the watershed towns and the Friends of Wilson Lake. While prioritizing sites in each watershed is a good first step, a more detailed plan is needed to ensure that high impact sites are addressed within a reasonable timeframe, to identify potential funding sources, and to identify the roles and responsibilities of local stakeholders. Next steps may include: This may include:

1. Presenting the results of the survey to the public, distributing summaries of the survey results to key stakeholders, and posting copies of the survey report on the FOWL and town websites;

2. Sending letters to all property owners with a documented NPS site with guidance and recommendations for addressing the problems;

3. Setting up meetings with state and town officials to review survey results and to develop a schedule for addressing high priority sites;

4. Developing a Watershed-Based Protection Plan for Wilson Lake that includes a detailed funding and implementation plan and schedule based on the early prioritization process;

5. Developing a Source Water Protection Plan for Varnum Pond to be eligible for future Maine Drinking Water Program funds in 2017 and beyond;

6. Identifying potential LakeSmart properties and developing a strategic outreach strategy to address the numerous low impact shoreline sites;

7. Apply for grants to begin addressing the identified problems including numerous culvert problems identified across all three watersheds.

In addition to the actions identified by the steering committee, there are many things that individual landowners and municipal officials can start doing now to help with this effort.

Individual Landowners ď&#x201A;§

ď&#x201A;§

If you have a documented NPS site on your property, call the Friends of Wilson Lake or Rob Lively at (207)645-2982 for advice about how to get started.

Become LakeSmart! Join together with your neighbors to certify your property through the Maine Lakes Society's LakeSmart program by establishing best practices on your properties. Call FOWL today to get started!

47

Remember â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the longterm health of our lakes depends on you! Help protect and improve the water quality of these lake for future generations!

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey 

   

Stop mowing and raking your shoreline and other parts of your property to bare soil. Let lawn and raked areas revert back to natural vegetation. Deep shrub and tree roots help hold the soil in place and help prevent erosion.

Avoid exposing bare soil. Seed and mulch bare areas. Use erosion control mulch.

Read “Permitting ABCs” (below) and call your local Code Enforcement Officer and Maine DEP before starting any cutting or soil disturbance projects.

Maintain septic systems properly. Pump septic tanks (every 2 to 3 years for year-round residences; 4-5 years if seasonal) and upgrade marginal systems or old systems (>20 years).

Support the Friends of Wilson Lake (FOWL) by becoming a member today, and get involved with their programs and activities including annual meetings and LakeSmart.

Municipal Officials   



Conduct regular maintenance on town roads in the watershed, and address the high priority and high impact town sites identified in this survey.

Enforce shoreland zoning and other ordinances to ensure the long-term protection of Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond.

Participate in, and support long-term watershed management projects by serving on watershed committees, serving as a sponsor for grant applications and setting aside funding for long-term water quality monitoring and lake protection projects.

Promote education and training for road crews, code enforcement officers, selectmen, planning board members and other decision makers.

CONSERVATION PRACTICES FOR HOMEOWNERS After reading this report or requesting a LakeSmart evaluation, you probably have a general idea about how to make your property more lake-friendly.

However, making the leap from concept to construction may be a challenge.

A series of fact sheets are available that answer many common how-to questions about installing Best Management Practices (BMPs). The fact sheets profile 20 common conservation practices and include detailed instructions, diagrams and color photos about installation and maintenance. The series includes the following: Construction BMPs Dripline Trench Drywells Erosion Control Mix Infiltration Steps (2) Infiltration Trench Live Staking

Native Plant Lists (4) Open-Top Culverts Paths and Walkways Permitting Pervious Pathways Planting & Maintaining Buffers Rain Barrels

48

Fact sheets are available to help you install conservation practices on your property.

Download at: https://www.pwd.org/pu blications

Rain Gardens Rubber Razors Shoreline Riprap Turnouts Waterbars Selecting Plants for Shade (3) Selecting Plants for Sun (3)

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Each one is tailored to different site conditions (e.g., full sun and dry soils). The lists include plant descriptions from the DEP’s Buffer Handbook and small color photos of each plant to make plant selection easier.

Below are a few examples of Best Management Practices (BMPs), including how to install a rubber razor and open top culvert; both of which are used for getting water off of gravel roads and driveways.

A drywell is useful for collecting runoff from gutters. Similarly, a gravel dripline trench can be used on homes that do not have gutters. These are typically 18 - 24" wide and slightly longer than the roof.

Rubber Razor Blade: Use this structure in a gravel driveway or camp road. It can be plowed over only if the plow operator is aware of its presence and lifts the plow blade slightly. Place it at a 30 degree angle to the road edge and direct the outlet toward a stable vegetated area.

Open Top Culvert: Use this structure in a gravel driveway or camp road that does not get plowed in the winter. Place it at a 30 degree angle to the road edge and point the outlet into stable vegetation.

Remove leaves and debris as needed.

Drywell: Use a drywell to collect runoff from roof gutter downspouts.

Drywells can be covered with sod, or left exposed for easy access and cleanout. Drywells and infiltration trenches work best in sandy or gravelly soils.

PERMITTING ABC’S Protection of Maine’s watersheds is ensured through the goodwill of lake residents and through laws and ordinances created and enforced by the State of Maine and local municipalities. The following laws and ordinances require permits for activities adjacent to wetlands and waterbodies.

Shoreland Zoning Law - Construction, clearing of vegetation and soil movement within 250 feet of lakes, ponds, and many wetlands, and within 75 feet of most streams, falls under the 49

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Shoreland Zoning Act, which is administered by the Town through the Code Enforcement Officer and the Planning Board.

Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA) - Soil disturbance & other activities within 75 feet of the lakeshore or stream also fall under the NRPA, which is administered by the Maine DEP. Contact the Maine DEP and Town Code Enforcement Officer if you have any plans to construct, expand or relocate a structure, clear vegetation, create a new path or driveway, stabilize a shoreline or otherwise disturb the soil on your property. Even if projects are planned with the intent of enhancing the environment, contact the DEP and the town to be sure.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT BY RULE WITH THE MAINE DEP To ensure that permits for small projects are processed swiftly, the DEP has established a streamlined permit process called Permit by Rule. These one page forms (shown here) are simple to fill out and allow the DEP to quickly review the project. 

Fill out a notification form before starting any work.

Forms are available from your town code enforcement officer, Maine DEP offices, or online at http://www.state.me.us/dep/land/nrpa/pbrform.p df.



The permit will be reviewed by DEP within 14 days.

If you do not hear from DEP in 14 days, you can assume your permit is approved and you can proceed with work on the project.



Follow all standards required for the specific permitted activities to keep soil erosion to a minimum. It is important that you obtain a copy of the standards so you will be familiar with the law’s requirements.

CONTACT INFORMATION Friends of Wilson Lake Rob Lively, President (207) 645-2982 or lively@maine.edu

Wynn Muller, LakeSmart Coordinator (207) 645-3716 or wynnmuller@comcast.net

Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District Rosetta White 107 Park St. Farmington, ME 04938 (207) 778-4279 or rosetta.thompson@franklincswcd.org

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2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey Maine Lakes Society ~ LakeSmart Program Maggie Shannon 137 Main Street, Belgrade Lakes, ME 04918 Phone: (207) 495-2301 ~ Web: http://mainelakessociety.org Maine Department of Environmental Protection 17 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333 Toll Free in Maine (800) 452-1942 or (207) 287-7688 ~ Web: http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/index.html

PUBLICATIONS & OTHER RESOURCES A Guide to Forming Road Associations. Maine DEP. July 2014. DEPLW-1071. 21 pgs. http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/road_assoc_guide_2014%207-24-14.pdf Conservation Practices for Homeowners. Portland Water District and Maine DEP. Conservation Fact Sheet Series. https://www.pwd.org/publications Contractors Certified in Erosion Control Practices. Maine DEP. http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/training/ccec.html Environmental Fact Sheets, Brochures, and Posters. Portland Water District. https://www.pwd.org/publications Gravel Road Maintenance Manual: A Guide for Landowners on Camp and Other Gravel Roads. Kennebec County SWCD and Maine DEP. April 2016. http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/camp/road/gravel_road_manual.pdf Friends of Wilson Lake Website. http://www.friendsofwilsonlake.org/ LakeSmart Tips. Maine Lakes Society. http://mainelakessociety.org/lakesmart-2/lakesmarttips/ Maine Shoreland Zoningâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;A Handbook for Shoreland Owners. Maine DEP. 2008. DEPLW0674D08. 37 pgs. http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/slz/citizenguide.pdf The Lake Book: A Handbook for Lake Protection. Maine Lakes Society. 61 pgs. http://mainelakessociety.org/resources/the-lake-book/ Town of Temple, Maine Website. http://www.townoftemple.com/ Town of Wilton, Maine Website (Code Enforcement). http://www.wiltonmaine.org/code-enforcement/

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2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1- Watershed Survey Field Data Sheet......................................................................................p. 53-54 Attachment 2- List of NPS Sites (Wilson Lake)..................................................................................................p. 55-61 Attachment 3- List of NPS Sites (Varnum Pond................................................................................................p. 62-63 Attachment 4- List of NPS Sites (Pease Pond)...................................................................................................p. 64-66

52

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

ATTACHMENT A: WATERSHED SURVEY FIELD DATA SHEET

53

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

54

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Attachment 2- Wilson Lake Watershed Survey Results Site

Location

Flow into lake via

Land Use

Problems

Slope

Size of Exposed/Eroded Area

Recommendations

Impact

Cost

Technical level

Steep

200 yards

Replace culvert, infiltration trench @ roof dripline, add to buffer; rebuild wall

Medium

High

High

1-01

Pump station by bridge & adjacent shoreline

Directly into lake

Municipal/Public

Moderate/Severe Surface erosion; bare soil, roof runoff erosion; Shoreline undercut, lack of shoreline vegetation, inadequate shoreline vegetation, shoreline erosion; wall failing; erosion around culvert

1-02

Pole #296 Main Street at intersection with Lake Rd

Directly into lake

Town Road

Moderate Surface erosion; Clogged culvert; bank failure (ditch); bare soil

Moderate

25 ft x 3 ft

Replace culvert, install ditch, install check dams, remove debris/sediment

Low

Medium

Medium

1-03

Holmes St (4 Holmes)

Ditch; directly into lake

Town Road

Slight surface erosion; slight ditch erosion

Moderate

10 ft x 10 ft

Armor ditch with stone, reshape ditch

Low

Low

Low

Directly into lake

Town Road

Moderate road shoulder erosion

Steep

200 ft x 5 ft

Rip - rap banking, remove winter sand

Medium

Low

Low

Directly into lake

Town Road

Moderate surface erosion; Moderate road shoulder erosion

Steep

50 ft x 6 ft

Remove grader/plow berms (up-hill); add rip-rap

Low

Low

Low

Residential

Slight surface erosion; bare soil; roof runoff erosion; lack of shoreline vegetation

Moderate

20 ft x 5 ft

Infiltration Trench @ roof dripline, mulch/erosion control mix, add vegetation to buffer, conservation mulch over exposed roots

Low

Low

Low

Moderate

40 ft x 6 ft

Armor inlet/outlet (culvert), remove clog (culvert), vegetate ditch, reshape ditch

Low

Low

Low

40 ft x 40 ft

Armor inlet/outlet (culvert), build-up road, vegetate shoulder, extend paving entrance to drive

Low

Low

Low

1-04

1-05

1-06

1-07

1-08

Lake Rd beyond Russ Park swimming area 93 Lake Road (across from 94 Lake Rd garage)

27 Lakeside

76A Rt 2

12 Gilbert

Directly into lake

Ditch

Ditch

State Road

State Road

Moderate surface erosion; unstable inlet/outlet culvert; clogged culvert; moderate ditch erosion Slight/moderate surface erosion; unstable inlet/outlet culvert; moderate road shoulder erosion; bare soil

Steep

55

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Attachment 2- Wilson Lake Watershed Survey Results Site

1-09

1-10

2-01 2-02

2-03

Location

12 Gilbert

Rt 2 - just before Gilbert North side of road Boat landing 20 Stinchcomb Lane 21 Fuller Street (street itself)

Size of Exposed/Eroded Area

Recommendations

Impact

Cost

Technical level

Moderate

100 ft x 50 ft

Armor inlet/outlet (culvert), armor ditch with stone, vegetate base soil with something other than knotweed

Medium

Medium

Medium

Moderate ditch erosion; bank failure; broken 1/2 culvert among ditch

Steep

25 ft x 5 ft

Armor with stone

Medium

Low

Low

Boat access

Slight road shoulder erosion; small shoreline undercut

Moderate

15 x 6

Low

Low

Low

Minimal vegetation

Residential

Slight surface erosion; bare soil; beach - sand added?

Moderate

Medium

Low

Low

Ditch; minimal vegetation

Town Road

Moderate shoulder erosion

Moderate

Low

Low

Medium

Moderate - Steep

200 ft long

High

High

High

Low

Low

Low

Flow into lake via

Land Use

Problems

Ditch

Town Road

Severe surface erosion; unstable inlet/outlet culvert; moderate ditch erosion; bare soil; extensive knotweed removed but not stabilized

Stream

State Road

Directly into lake

Slope

20 ft x 1 ft

Vegetate shoulder, add rip-rap @ edge of boat launch Add vegetation to buffer, reseed bare soil & thinning grass Vegetate shoulder or part shoulder like opposite side of street

2-04

Ditch @ 33 Fuller St (next to Allen)

Directly into lake; ditch

Town Road

Moderate ditch erosion; severe ditch erosion; road runoff from fuller street; drains to ditch beside Allen Property and Walker (between)

2-07

66 Fuller Street

Ditch

Residential

Slight surface erosion; bare soil

Moderate

20 ft x 10 ft

2-08

59 Fuller Street

Directly into lake

Private Road (gravel)

Slight surface erosion; potential to become worse

Moderate

10 ft x 75 ft

Install rubber razor runoff diverters

Low

Low

Low

2-09

50 Shea Dr

Directly into lake

Residential

Bare soil; wide area - access dock

Moderate

10 ft x 50 ft

Add vegetation to buffer, mulch

Low

Low

Low

2-10

80 or 90 Shea Road?

- Last house (says Mike Hollard on sign)

Directly into lake

Residential; trail or path

Bare soil; lack of shoreline vegetation; unstable access

8 ft x 100 ft

Stabilize foot path (wide), install runoff diverter, mulch/erosion control mix, add vegetation to buffer

Medium

Medium

Low

Flat

56

Remove clog in culvert (can't see culvert), armor with stone, ditch being filled with debris from above (owners filling with leaves/clippings) Reseed bare soil and thinning grass

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Attachment 2- Wilson Lake Watershed Survey Results Site

Location

Flow into lake via

Land Use

Problems

Slope

2-11

90 Shea Road

Ditch

Private Road

Unstable inlet/outlet; clogged and broken culvert

2-12

70 Shea St (Bass Point Cottages)

Directly into lake

Private Road

2-13

70 Shea St (Bass Point Cottages)

Directly into lake

Residential

2-14

158 Weld Rd (Town Office)

2-15

Robinson Road (Northwind)

Directly into lake

Residential

2-16

Kineowatha Parkrockwall

Directly into lake

Municipal/Public

2-17

Kineowatha Park- cabin at lake

Minimal vegetation

3-01

Utility Pole #21 Country Club Rd

Minimal Vegetation

Ditch?

Size of Exposed/Eroded Area

Recommendations

Impact

Cost

Technical level

Moderate

Armor inlet/outlet (culvert), remove clog (culvert), replace culvert

Medium

Low

Low

Moderate surface erosion

Moderate

30 ft x 80 ft

Build up road/driveway, gravel road/driveway, reshape road/driveway, install broad based dip and waterbar runoff diverters

High

Medium

Medium

Bare soil; lack of shoreline vegetation

Flat

10 ft x 25 ft

Mulch/erosion control mix, establish vegetation buffer

Low

Low

Low

Flat

20 ft x 26 ft

Continue berm, clean up debris

Medium

Low

Low

Flat

long culvert > 100 ft.

Culvert - armor inlet/outlet, remove clog, enlarge, clean out and install plunge pool; stabilize eroding shoreline with rip-rap and vegetation

Medium

Medium

Medium

Moderate

linear > 50'

Medium

High

High

Municipal/Public

Slight surface erosion (by large trees), bare soil, roof runoff erosion, possible seep spring behind cabin flowing under building

Flat

40' x 20'

Low

Low

Medium

Driveway (gravel)

Slight surface erosion

Moderate

Low

Low

Low

Municipal/Public

Soil - delta and winter sand; one area (North side of property) - material pushed up against low area drainage way Unstable inlet/outlet (culvert); clogged and undersized culvert; drainage flows directly into lake; winter sand (?) soil; heavy accumulation at culvert inlet/outlet; unstable outlet Failing retaining wall; shoreline erosion; inadequate shoreline vegetation

57

Fix/replace retaining wall; plant vegetation behind wall (blueberries) Install rain garden in front of cabin to capture runoff from behind cabin and adjacent areas, add ECM to bare soil areas and reseed thinning grass by trees; install infiltration trenches on cabin driplines; install runoff diverter (rubber razor) in place of pipe.

Build-up driveway at end, install rubber razor and waterbar runoff diverters

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Attachment 2- Wilson Lake Watershed Survey Results Site

Location

Flow into lake via

Land Use

Problems

Slope

3-02

115 Country Club Rd

Directly into lake

Driveway (gravel)

Slight surface erosion

3-03

97 Country Club Rd

Directly into lake

Residential

3-04

91 Country Club Rd

Directly into lake

3-05 3-06

3-08

4-01

4-02

Fenderson Hill Rd State Route 156 Wilson Lake Country Club Pole 207 / 111 near Hills Pond (Rt. 156) Poles between 207 / 111 and 112 (Rt 156)

Size of Exposed/Eroded Area

Recommendations

Impact

Cost

Technical level

Moderate

Add new surface material (EC Mulch), ECM berms, had excellent shoreline berm

Low

Low

Low

Slight ditch erosion

Moderate

Install ditch check dams, install catch basin

Medium

Low

Low

Residential

Slight surface erosion, bare soil, shoreline erosion

Moderate

Mulch/erosion control mix, conservation mulch in front of fireplace

Low

Low

Low

Ditch

Town Road

Moderate ditch erosion, bare soil

Steep

Install check dams

Low

Medium

Medium

Stream

State Road (paved)

Moderate ditch erosion

Steep

Medium

Medium

Medium

Stream

Commercial (golf course)

Unstable outlet (culvert); moderate ditch erosion; moderate shoulder erosion

Moderate

Medium

Medium

Medium

State Road

Severe surface erosion; crushed/broken culvert; severe ditch erosion; severe road shoulder erosion

Steep

Directly into lake

Directly into lake

Reshape ditch, install check dams, re-do turnouts Armor inlet/outlet (culvert), install plunge pool, add vegetation to buffer (extend no more 5-10'), stabilize road shoulder, add rip-rap to channel 10 x 5

Outlet culvert (replace), buildup roads, slope to opposite side (reshape road)

Medium

Medium

Medium

100 x 6

Existing berm between edge of 156 and pond needs replacing and fill put behind to prevent water from reaching pond (many gaps)

High

Medium

Medium

State Road

Moderate - severe road shoulder erosion

Steep

100 x 4

Reshape (crown) road, get rid of false ditch, build barrier under guard rail

High

MediumHigh

Medium

4-03

167 / 191 Pole (Rt 156)

Stream

State Road

Moderate (4/5) - severe (1/5) surface erosion; ditch bank failure; moderate (4/5) - severe (1/5) road shoulder erosion (false ditch); road improperly sloped - directly sloped to stream

4-04

Pole #182 (near) (Rt 156)

Stream

State Road

Moderate - severe road shoulder erosion

Steep

30 x 2

Fill underneath guardrails with stones and gravel (roads)

Medium

Low

Medium

4-05

Jewell Road

Stream

Town Road

Rusted through culvert; slight ditch erosion

Flat

10 x 1

Replace culvert

Low

Medium

LowMedium

58

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Attachment 2- Wilson Lake Watershed Survey Results Site

4-06

4-07

Location Pond Rd @ Stream Crossing / bridge Culvert @ corner of Rt 156 and Pond Rd

Flow into lake via

Land Use

Problems

Slope

Stream

Town Road

Shoreline erosion; bridge abutment

Stream

Town Road

Culvert - unstable inlet/outlet

4-08

Corner of Hanslip Rd

ditch

State/Private Road (gravel)

5-03

39 Gammon Hill Rd

Ditch

Driveway (gravel)

Slight surface erosion (Hanslip); Slight road shoulder erosion (town rd); soil from Hanslip Rd and shoulder on Rt 156 go into culvert Moderate surface erosion; moderate road shoulder erosion

Size of Exposed/Eroded Area

Recommendations

Impact

Cost

Technical level

Moderate

Rip-rap, bare soil and vegetate

Medium

Low

Medium

Steep

Armor inlet/outlet (culvert), install plunge pool, armor ditch with stone

High

Medium

Medium

Moderate

Enlarge culvert (?), gravel, reshape (crown)and vegetate shoulder of road

Medium

Medium

Medium

Add gravel, reshape (crown) and install rubber razor runoff diverters to road

Low

Medium

Medium

39 Gammon Hill Rd 52 Guy Chandler Rd 9 Guy Chandler

Ditch

Town gravel road

Unstable inlet/outlet culvert

Armor inlet/outlet culvert

Medium

Medium

Medium

Minimal Vegetation

Residential

Slight surface erosion

Infiltration trench @ roof dripline

Low

Low

Low

Ditch

Town Road

Unstable inlet/outlet culvert

Armor inlet/outlet culvert

Medium

Medium

Medium

5-08

232 Pond Road

Ditch

Driveway (gravel)

Slight surface erosion; clogged culvert

Low

Medium

Medium

5-10

200 Pond Rd

Ditch

Driveway (gravel)

Slight surface erosion

Moderate

Low

Low

Low Medium

Ditch

Driveway (gravel)

Slight surface erosion

Moderate

Buildup and install rubber razor runoff diverters

Low

Low

Low

Stream

Residential

Dumpster and old oil barrel at edge of drainage (no photo)

Moderate

Move dumpster away from stream, move oil container to cover

Low

Low

Low

Stream

Town Road

Winter sand (on bridge edge washing through)

Flat

Clean winter sand off road in Spring

Medium

Low

Low

5-04 5-05 5-06

5-11

5-13

5-14

156 Pond Road End of improved Tobin Flat Rd (stream channel) Bridge on Tobin Flat Rd off Rt 156

59

Add gravel and reshape (crown) driveway; remove clog from culvert Buildup and reshape (crown) road

25 ft both sides

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Attachment 2- Wilson Lake Watershed Survey Results Site

Location

5-15

Stream bank on N side of Bridge on Tobin Flat Rd (between 156 and stream)

6-01

Flow into lake via

Land Use

Problems

Slope

Stream

Undeveloped

Inadequate shoreline vegetation; shoreline erosion; cleared area above bank erosion

Steep

7 Camp Rd

Directly into lake

Boat Access

Slight surface erosion; bare soil

Moderate

6-02

335 U.S. Route 2

Directly into lake

Residential

Slight surface erosion; unstable shoreline access

Steep

6-03

Across from Calahan Rd

Ditch

Town Road

Moderate ditch erosion; winter sand (soil)

6-04

6 Callahan Dr

Directly into lake

Residential

6-04B

2 Callahan Rd

Directly into lake

Residential

6-05

2 Simoneau Rd

Directly into lake

Residential

6-06

9 Pullo Rd

Directly into lake

Residential

6-07

Camp Rd below paved section (culvert)

Vegetation

Private Road

Slight surface erosion; bare soil; inadequate shoreline vegetation Lack of shoreline vegetation; shoreline erosion; no erosion around dripline but erosion close to shoreline (may be caused by roof runoff) Slight surface erosion; slight ditch erosion; lack of shoreline vegetation Roof runoff erosion; slopes toward paved boat launch

Moderate ditch erosion

Size of Exposed/Eroded Area

Recommendations

Impact

Cost

Technical level

Stabilize streambank with rock and vegetation, establish vegetation buffer

Medium

Medium

Medium

20 x 10

Mulch / erosion mix, reseed bare soil and thinning grass

Low

Low

Low

Multiple - 15 x 10; 10 x 10

Define foot path, stabilize foot path, infiltration steps, mulch / erosion control mix (underneath hammock)

Low

Medium

Low

Medium

Medium

Medium

Low

Low

Low

25 x 10

Armor inlet/outlet (culvert), armor ditch with stone, reshape ditch, remove debris/sediment from ditch Add vegetation to buffer, reseed bare soil and thinning grass

Moderate

6 x 15

Flat

30 x 6

Stabilize shoreline, establish vegetation buffer

Low

Medium

Medium

Flat

60 x 2

Armor ditch with stone, add vegetation to buffer

Low

Low

Low

Flat

2 x 20

Infiltration trench

Low

Low

Low

Flat

10 x 10

Install plunge pool

Medium

Medium

Medium

60

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Attachment 2- Wilson Lake Watershed Survey Results Site

Location

Land Use

Stream / wetland (pass upstream)

Town Road

Stream

Town Road

6-10

Lake Rd (near CMP pole #15 FP 43)

Stream

Town Road (paved)

6-11 (6-30)

Wilson Lake (Shore Dr)

Directly into lake

Beach Access

6-08

6-09

Pond Rd @ bottom of hill near boat launch Pond Rd between boat launch and Rt. 2

Flow into lake via

Problems Unstable outlet (culvert); slight road shoulder erosion; large scour pool @ culvert outlet flows into wetland channel Unstable outlet (culvert); undersized culvert; undermining/undercut bank at culvert outlet Unstable outlet (culvert); moderate road shoulder erosion; culvert not flow aligned and causing bank erosion Moderate surface erosion; bare soil

Size of Exposed/Eroded Area

Recommendations

Impact

Cost

Technical level

Flat

Armor inlet/outlet (culvert), enlarge culvert (possibly?), install plunge pool

Medium

Medium

Medium

Flat

Armor culvert inlet/outlet (stabilize to prevent undercutting), enlarge culvert

Medium

Medium

Medium

Slope

Moderate

15 x 20

Armor culvert outlet, replace/realign culvert, vegetate shoulder

Low

Medium

Medium

Moderate

12 x 8

Mulch / erosion control mix, erosion patrol bark, mulch and stabilize bank by edge of dock

Low

Low

Low

61

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Attachment 3- Varnum Pond Watershed Survey Results Site

Location

Flow into lake via

Land Use

Problems

Slope

Size of Exposed/Eroded Area

Recommendations

Impact

Cost

Technical level

7-01

Boat Launch, 41 Access Rd., Temple

Directly into lake

Boat Access (gravel)

Moderate surface erosion; bare soil; lack of shoreline vegetation; shoreline erosion; unstable shoreline access

Moderate

10 ft x 50 ft

Reshape (crown), install broadbased dip runoff diverters, establish buffer

High

High

Medium

7-02

Boat Launch Access Rd, Temple

Municipal / public

Moderate surface erosion; bare soil; roadside plow / grader berm

Steep

60 x 20

Vegetate ditch, remove grader / plow berms, build up, add gravel, reshape (crown), install broad-based dip runoff diverters

High

High

Medium

7-03

Culvert near 289 Varnum Pond Rd.

Stream

Town Road

Moderate

20 x 10

Armor inlet and replace culvert

Medium

High

High

7-04

Varnum Pond Road

Stream

Town Road

Moderate

10 x 20

Replace, enlarge and lengthen culvert, armor ditch with stone

Medium

High

High

7-05

Bridge Varnum Pond Rd

Bailey Brook Flows into Varnum pond

Town Road (State bridge)

Slight surface erosion; bare soil

Flat

10 x 10

Install ditch turnouts, stabilize bridge and soil, reshape (crown) and install broadbased dip runoff diverters

Low

Medium

Medium

7-06

Varnum Pond Road -E approach to Bailey Brook.

Roadway shoulder failure - flows into Varnum Pond via Bailey Brook

Town Road

Moderate ditch erosion; moderate road shoulder erosion; roadside plow/grader berm; bare soil

Steep

Reshape ditch; remove grader/plow berms; crown road - remove side berm

High

Medium

Medium

Pine Pt Rd

Flows directly into lake, wetland drain (no channel) upstream

Private Road

Slight surface erosion; undersized culvert; slight road shoulder erosion

Flat

Armor inlet and outlet and enlarge culvert

Low

Medium

Medium

Moderate

30 ft x 5 ft for shoreline / 50 ft x 5 ft for access

Stabilize foot path, infiltration steps, establish vegetation buffer, place rip-rap along shoreline

Medium

Medium

Medium

Steep

100 ft

Rip-rap shoreline

High

High

Medium

7-07

Directly into lake

Unstable culvert inlet/outlet; crushed/broken culvert; disconnected sections of culvert, both ends of culvert are bad, water running under Unstable culvert inlet/outlet; bent and undersized culvert

8-01

36 Ernest Rd.

Directly into lake

Residential

Moderate surface erosion; shoreline - undercut, lack of vegetation, inadequate vegetation and unstable access

8-02

99 Rupert Rd

Directly into lake

Residential

Undercut shoreline

62

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Attachment 3- Varnum Pond Watershed Survey Results Site

Location

Flow into lake via

Land Use

Problems

Slope

Size of Exposed/Eroded Area

Recommendations

Impact

Cost

Technical level

8-03

99 Rupert Rd

Directly into lake

Residential / Beach access

Ditch bank failure

Moderate

100 ft

Armor ditch with stone

High

High

Medium

8-04

Rupert Rd

Ditch

Private Road (gravel)

Severe road shoulder erosion

Moderate

30 x 1

Armor ditch with stone, reshape ditch, remove debris/sediment from ditch

High

Medium

Medium

63

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Attachment 4- Pease Pond Watershed Survey Results Site

Location

Flow into lake via

Size of Exposed/ Eroded Area

Recommendations

Impact

Cost

Technical level

Steep

20 x 20

Define foot path, infiltration steps, mulch / erosion control mix (or plant vegetation), add vegetation to buffer (at dripline-raised bed planter), reseed bare soil and thinning grass

Low

Medium

Medium

Add new surface material (gravel), reshape (crown), install rubber razor runoff diverters, establish buffer (at bottom of driveway)

Medium

Medium

Medium

Land Use

Problems

Slope

Residential

Moderate surface erosion; bare soil; roof runoff erosion; inadequate shoreline vegetation; shoreline erosion; unstable shoreline access; 2 french drains emptying into front lots of roots

Steep

160 ft x 10 ft

9-01

24 Stoney Fields Rd

Directly into lake

9-02

24 Stoney Fields Rd

Directly into lake

Driveway

Moderate surface erosion; upper eroding driveway; old hay bales not to erosion

Stream

Private Road

Undersized culvert (on down stream side); major bank erosion in channel

Flat

Linear in stream to lake

Armor inlet/outlet culvert, enlarge culvert, install plunge pool, install broad-based dip runoff diverters

High

High

High

Directly into lake via ditch at road

Residential

Moderate ditch erosion; inadequate shoreline vegetation; ditch/channel from road to lake

Moderate

linear 200 ft

Establish vegetation buffer (on side of driveway along channel @ shore)

Medium

Medium

Low

Vegetation @ bottom of driveway slope, infiltration trench @ roof dripline, mulch / erosion control mix (bare root area), add vegetation to buffer (extend across @ slope break)

Low

Low

Low

Armor drainage with rock / stone

High

Medium

Medium

Infiltration trench @ roof dripline, mulch / erosion control mix (driveway in front of house), establish vegetation buffer

Low

Low

Low

9-03

9-04

Culvert up from site 9-2 (Cottage Road) Between 35029 and 35030 (Stoney Fields Rd)

9-05

50 Stoney Fields Rd

Directly into lake

Private Road

Slight surface erosion; bare soil; roof runoff erosion; lack of shoreline vegetation

Moderate

9-06

81 Russell Rd

Directly into lake

Residential

Severe surface erosion; unstable drainage running downhill to lake

Moderate

9-07

103 Russell Black Rd

Directly into lake

Residential

Bare soil; roof runoff erosion; inadequate shoreline vegetation; unstable shoreline access

64

120 ft

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Attachment 4- Pease Pond Watershed Survey Results Site

Location

Flow into lake via

Land Use

Problems

Slope

Size of Exposed/ Eroded Area

Recommendations

Impact

Cost

Technical level

High

Medium

Medium

9-08

103 Russell Rd - ROW road to lake

Directly into lake

Driveway (Boat Access)

Moderate surface erosion; bare soil; access to water

Moderate

75 x 20

Add new surface material (gravel), reshape (sheet to left - make uphill), install runoff diverters (open top culvert or rubber razor pick one x 3), infiltration steps, mulch / erosion control mix (for shore or infiltration steps)

9-09

Wetland/road crossing on Munson Rd

Stream

Town Road (paved)

Slight road shoulder erosion; bare soil

Flat

15 x 5

Armor inlet/outlet (culvert) outlet road shoulder, add vegetation to buffer

Low

Low

Low

9-10

111 Pease Pond Rd

Directly into lake

Boat access (gravel)

Bare soil

Flat

30 ft x 15 ft

Install runoff diverters - broadbased dip (at end of driveway) and rubber razor (to small detention area)

Medium

Medium

Low

9-11

Rt 133 Culvert - across from Emerson Brooks St (Franklin Rd)

Stream

State Road

Unstable outlet (culvert) - perched; unstable banks @ outlet and in stream (DS); US culvert slip lined CMP bank erosion road shoulder

Steep

15 x 15 bank linear along stream both sides

Armor inlet/outlet (culvert), realign culvert to match stream

High

High

High

9-12

Pease Pond Rd @ rubber razor ditch

Minimal vegetation

Private Road

Clogged culvert; moderate ditch erosion; clean out rubber razor

Moderate

100 ft linear

Remove clog (culvert), install sediment pools (below outlet with overflow), clean out rubber razor

Medium

Medium

Medium

9-13

Bean Rd Culvert next to lot 14-13 (pasture / cows)

Ditch connects to stream

Town Road

Undersized culvert (outlet); moderate ditch erosion; ditch bank failure; moderate road shoulder erosion; steep roadside ditch

Moderate (ditch) / Steep (bank)

150 ft x 15 ft

Armor outlet (culvert), enlarge culvert, install plunge pool, vegetate ditch with ECB, reshape ditch

Medium

High

Medium

65

2016 Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond & Pease Pond Watershed Survey

Attachment 4- Pease Pond Watershed Survey Results Site

Location

Flow into lake via

Land Use

Problems

Slope

Size of Exposed/ Eroded Area

Recommendations

Impact

Cost

Technical level

Medium

High

Medium

Moderate surface erosion; bare soil; roof runoff erosion (contributing to volume); large area of unpaved parking flowing into ditch which drains to stream via DOT catch basin on 133

Moderate

150 ft x 150 ft

Add new surface material (packed gravel) - reclaim?, reshape (crown) - away from driveway, install open top culvert runoff diverters (to rain gardens both sides of driveway), rain garden, designated driving / travel ways to parking area and revegetate rest, bioretention on edge of parking to capture roof runoff

Steep

20' x 20'

Stabilize path leading to stream, stabilize stream banks with rock and vegetative plantings

Medium

Medium

Medium

40' x 20'

Replace & enlarge culvert, armor inlet/outlet, install plunge pool at outlet, install vegetative plantings along stream bank

High

High

High

9-14

Beans Corner Baptist church

Ditch

Commercial Church parking lot (gravel)

9-15

Stream Crossing on Russell Rd. Extension

Stream

Private Rd./Trail (old logging road)

undercut streambank, bare soil on slope

9-16

Culvert on Russell Rd. Ext. on farm side

Stream

Private Rd./Trail (old logging road)

unstable culvert inlet/outlet, crushed/broken/undersized culvert, bank erosion in stream, unstable road crossing

Flat

66