Documented Infestations of Invasive Aquatic Plants in Maine

Water Body Name

Midas

Town

First Identified

Status of Infestation

West Pond

3186

Parsonfield

July 2003 (confirmed 6/2004)

Floating fragments found by Dept. of Conservation (DOC) field biologists in 2003. Rooted plants confirmed by DEP and DOC in 2004. Plants are mostly scattered at low density but several dense patches were identified. DEP SCUBA divers hand removed plants in one such patch to determine effectiveness of this control option.

Unnamed gravel quarry

6436

Scarborough

November 2004

Maine DEP informed of suspicious plant in October 2004; Eurasian milfoil confirmation made following month. This is Maine's first (only) Eurasian milfoil detection as of this writing. DEP submitted permit application to treat with herbicide in March 2005. Intent of herbicide use is to prevent infestation of neighboring waters.

Little Sebago

3714

Windham, Gray

2001 (confirmed 2003*)

*Plant is a hybrid between variable milfoil and another non-native milfoil.

A 2003 survey by the Little Sebago Lake Association showed that the most densely infested areas are in the NW quadrant of the Lower Basin, Mumford Cove and Beaver Cove (both in the Middle Basin), in the Narrows (between Middle Basin and Upper Basin) and in several locations in Upper Bay. Numerous individuals and smaller scattered patches in other regions of the lake have also been mapped.

Collins Pond

3728

Windham

Confirmed 2004

Collins Pond is downstream from Little Sebago Lake. DNA testing of a sample from Collins Pond confirms that the hybrid milfoil is present. Staff from the invasive program will be surveying the pond to determine the extent of the infestation.

Pickerel Pond

3940

Limerick

Fall 2002

Discovered by volunteer plant patroller. Hydrilla found throughout the lake, at least out to 6 feet deep. Herbicide treatments since 2003 have supressed hydrilla by 95 per cent each year. DEP biologists are determining whether tuber (seed) bank is being depleted sufficiently with continued treatments.

Sebago Lake

5786

Various

About 1970

Portland Water District mapped 12 location of colonies

Thompson Lake

3444

Casco, Otisfield, Poland, Oxford

About 1975

Found in most shallow-water habitat throughout the lake, Heavily infested areas-"The Heath" at the south end and the shallow area at the confluence of Greeley Brook.

Cushman Pond

3224

Lovell

1996

Kezar Lake Watershed Association, residents of Cushman Pond, DEP, VLMP and the Town of Lovell have established an ongoing control program to minimize the spread of this aggressive plant.

Messalonskee Lake and Belgrade Stream

5280

Belgrade, Sidney, Oakland

1998

Heavily infested area is by the Public Boat Ramp in Belgrade, where, Belgrade Stream enters the lake. Much of stream between Messalonskee Lake and Wings Mill Dam is also heavily infested.

Lake Auburn

3748

Auburn

2000

Heavy in the northwest corner of the lake where the outlet stream enters.The milfoil is situated very close to a traditional boat launch site.

Short Stream between Pleasant Lake and Parker Pond

3446

3388

Casco

2000

A survey of Pleasant and Parker in 2000 did not reveal milfoil in either ponds. The stream connection makes both lakes highly vulnerable to an infestation.  One colony was found in the outlet area of Pleasant Pond 8/2001.

Little Androscoggin River

Mechanic Falls

2000

Bordering Route 11

Little Ossipee
River Flowage (a.k.a. Lake Arrowhead) and Little Ossipee River

9715 (Lake Arrowhead)

Waterboro and Limerick

2001

Lake Arrowhead infestation extensive throughout and at public boat ramp in south near dam. Ongoing control efforts by residents. Infestations downstream of Lake Arrowhead on the river in Limington documented in 2006.

Pleasant Pond (a.k.a. Mud Pond)

5254

Gardiner and Richmond

2001

Plant was identified by trained volunteers and is extremely dense by the Richmond boat ramp.  Infestation was evaluated during the 2002 summer season.

Presumpscot River

.

Windham

2001

Plant identified by the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP).  Dense beds between Dundee Pond and Newhall.

Balch Pond

3898

Newfield

2001

Balch Pond is a border lake with shoreline in both Maine and New Hampshire . Variable-leaf milfoil has been documented on the New Hampshire portion since June 2002. The presence of variable-leaf milfoil was confirmed on the Maine side in 2004.

Bryant Pond

3464

Woodstock

2002

A small patch was identified by a local volunteer while surveying the shallow areas of the lake. A DEP permit was obtained by the lake association and plants were removed by hand in August 2002. The Association continues to survey the lake for milfoil.

Hogan Pond

3770

Oxford

2002

A lake association member reported a possible sighting of milfoil which was confirmed by DEP. Variable-leaf milfoil is in Hogan Pond and the outlet stream between Hogan and Whitney Ponds. The outlet stream empties into the Little Androscoggin River.

Cobbossee Stream
including Horseshoe Pond

West Gardiner and Litchfield

2002

A local landowner reported a possible sighting of variable-leaf milfoil which was confirmed by DEP. Colonies of milfoil were found along the east and west shores of Cobbossee Stream with smaller patches found upstream beyond the Route 126 bridge, and in Horsehoe Pond.

Shagg Pond

3470

Woodstock

2003

Identified July 2003 by person surveying lakes in Woodstock for invasive plants. Most of the milfoil is in cove along west shore.

Middle Range Pond

3762

Poland

Confirmed 2004

First discovered in south end of Middle Range Pond in 2001, but not confirmed until flowers observed. Meanwhile, local association successfully managing milfoil populations by hand removal. Evaluations in 2004 show substantial reductions to point that it is found only in three widely spaced patches adjacent to the boat channel.

Messalonskee Stream

None

Waterville

Confirmed 9/2004

Variable milfoil was collected and identified by volunteer lake monitors in the stream both upstream and downstream of the North St. bridge in Waterville.

Songo River

None

Naples

Confirmed 10/2004

Found above and below Locks. Summer 2004 hand removal program controlled uppermost reaches above Locks to prevent invasion into southern portion of Bay of Naples (Brandy Pond).

Bay of Naples (Brandy Pond)

9685

Naples

Confirmed 11/2004

Discovered by resident in the north end of pond at the Causeway Marina. Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) reported finding to DEP. The infestation appears to be in early stages and will be hand removed by SCUBA divers in the fall of 2004. Continued monitoring will be conducted by resident volunteers and LEA.

The Basin

71

Auburn

2000

Status of infestation: used primarily by anglers, The Basin is a small pond, upstream of Lake Auburn. It has contained variable-leaf milfoil for as long as Lake Auburn (confirmed in 2000) and is considered part of the Auburn Water District's (AWD's) and Lewiston Water Division's (LWD's) water supply source. The infestation is widespread throughout The Basin. Since 2002, AWD has managed the milfoil by diver hand removal and bottom barriers.