Category Archives: Midcoast Conservancy

12 August 2021: Damariscotta Lake Blooms

Damariscotta Lake has been experiencing considerable cyanobacteria growth in recent years, a troubling condition that affects many lakes in Maine. Some lakes are big enough for these types of events to impact only certain areas, though they can be lake-wide. This particular algal bloom in Damariscotta is in the Mills area. So far this summer I’ve noticed only slightly elevated levels of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) in Clary as evidenced by faint wisps of dead algae on the water surface and slightly reduced transparency in early August. This is most likely the result of runoff from heavy rains in July. A small amount of algae growth is  expected, and is more or less normal. Clary Lake however is by no means immune to severe algae blooms, defined as a transparency of 2 meters or less and while we haven’t experienced a severe bloom since 2014 (see chart at left), it can and will under the right condition happen again. It behooves us to be vigilant and minimize soil erosion on our properties to stop the introduction of sediment and phosphorus into our lake.

Algae Bloom at Damariscotta Mills Potentially Harmful

The Midcoast Conservancy staffer Patricia Nease who is monitoring the Damariscotta Lake bloom spoke at our recent Annual Meeting about the Invasive Plant Patrol program on Damariscotta Lake and things we should consider when starting up an IPP program on Clary Lake.

28 February 2020 Event Reminder: Alewife, Eel, and Lamprey Program at Sheepscot General

We’d like to remind you of an upcoming event that we believe will be of special interest to not just Clary Lake Association members, but to all Friends of Clary Lake. The program is on Alewife, Eel, and Lamprey Ecology and will be held at the Sheepscot General in Whitefield (map) on Friday February 28th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. The program is free and open to the general public. The featured speaker will be Marine Resources Specialist Nate Gray with the Department of Marine Resources. Gray will discuss the important ecological role that river herring (alewives), eels, and lampreys play in Maine and why we might want to introduce them to Clary Lake. Have your questions ready!

If you’re interested in eating some of the fine food offered at the General, plan on showing up early!

Save the Dates: Two Upcoming Midcoast Conservancy Winter Programs

The Midcoast Conservancy is putting on a couple of informational programs this winter that look like they will be potentially of great interest to Clary Lake Association Members. The first program is on Alewife, Eel, and Lamprey Ecology to be held on Friday February 28th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Sheepscot General in Whitefield (map). The featured speaker will be Marine Resources Specialist Nate Gray with the Department of Marine Resources. The other program is a ways off and still in development but I understand it will be on Climate Change and it’s impact on Maine Lakes. It is scheduled for Friday April 24th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, also at the Sheepscot General. I’ll post updates on these programs as more information becomes available. While they’re a ways off, I did want to put them out there so you could “Save the Dates.”

Sheepscot General is renowned for their food, especially pizza, so if you’re interested in making a night of it, arrive early and get something to eat before the program!

Everything you ever wanted to know about Sea Lamprey!

Unfortunately I have another engagement Monday night or I’d be going to this presentation. It sounds fascinating:

Come learn about Sea Lamprey 
with expert Lee Margolin
 
 
Sea Lamprey expert Lee Margolin will be presenting about Sea Lamprey and taking questions at a public meeting on Monday, December 4 from 6-8pm at the Sheepscot Lake Fish & Game Club in Palermo. This is the first of what will be several opportunities to learn about Maine’s native sea-run fish species. 
 
Lee has a PhD in Biology with research focused specifically on Sea Lamprey and over 25 years of experience with the species. Anyone curious to learn more about Sea Lamprey or their impact on other fish species and ecosystems is encouraged to attend. 
 
The Fish & Game Club is located at 19 Leeman Arm Rd, Palermo, just off of Route 3 next to the boat launch. Please direct any questions to Garrison Beck, Midcoast Conservancy Director of Water Conservation, 207-389-5157 or garrison@midcoastconservancy.org
 
We hope to see you there!