Programs - Androscoggin Lake Association

Androscoggin Lake Eyes on the Water

Every summer, our Eyes on the Water team surveys the lake for invasive aquatic plants. We are an all-volunteer plant patrol team of over 40 lake residents trained to identify both native and invasive plants. It was a member of our team who first identified the invasive milfoil infestation in the lake's Inner Cove. While we continue to depend on 30 Mile to lead the eradication efforts in the cove, our Eyes team heads up efforts to ensure that the infestation has not spread to other parts of the lake.

Our plant patrol team coordinates with both 30 Mile and the Lake Stewards of Maine for technical assistance, program materials, and reporting.

Each member of our team is asked to adopt a small segment of shoreline and to conduct a short survey at least once per season. This is an excellent volunteer opportunity for those interested in protecting our lake, learning more about aquatic plants, and meeting others around the lake. If you are interested in learning more or becoming a member of our team, please Contact Us.

Courtesy Boat Inspections

Courtesy Boat Inspections provide us with a first line of defense against invasive species entering our lake. Boat inspectors are stationed at the public boat launch on route 133 throughout the summer months to offer inspections of boats entering and leaving our lake. We rely on 30 Mile to head up this program and to coordinate both their staff and volunteers from the lake association. This program is vital to protecting our lake, and our support of this program is always the largest single line item on our lake association's budget.

Visit the Lakes Environmental Association to learn more about the CBI program in Maine.

To become a volunteer boat inspector, Contact Us.

LakeSmart

The LakeSmart program is designed to educate lake front property owners about best lake stewardship practices. Folks around the lake are encouraged to sign up for LakeSmart visits to learn more about things they can on their property to promote good water quality and to reduce runoff into the lake. Every visit is confidential and non-regulatory; information gathered as part of a visit is never shared with town or state agencies.

Each year, at our annual meeting, the lake association recognizes those participating properties that have been outstanding in their efforts.

To learn more about the state-wide LakeSmart program, visit the LakeSmart page at Maine Lakes.

To sign up for a visit, Contact Us.

Water Quality Monitoring

The monitoring of water quality has been key to our organization since we first began. The records that we have provided to the state over these many years have helped to provide useful information regarding clarity, phosphorus load, and more. Today, several of our volunteers continue to work closely with 30 Mile staff to gather and report trends. Visit 30 Mile Water Quality on Androscoggin Lake to learn more.

Communications, Education, and Outreach

Communications with both our members and our community is ever important to ALIC.

we do our best to keep our web site up to date
we maintain a Facebook page
we regularly update those on our electronic mailing list
we conduct a meeting of the lake association annually
we regularly sponsor educational and community outreach events
we publish an annual newsletter

Responsible Development and Land Use

Responsible development and land use practices both along our shoreline and in our watershed are vital to improving the already compromised water quality in Androscoggin Lake. The lake association works with 30 Mile, the towns, and property owners to promote best practices to reduce runoff and to improve septic systems.

We are very much concerned about proposed expansions at the Jellystone campground and their impacts on water quality. Visit threats from over development for more information.

Dead River Dam

The Dead River normally flows out of Androscoggin Lake to the Androscoggin River. However, the Dead River is one of the few rivers in the country which can flow in either direction. The dam on the Dead River was designed and constructed in the 1930s as a pollution control device. Flap gates on the dam normally allow water to flow out of the lake, but not back into the lake. Unfortunately, during very high water events, water can flow over the top of the dam and into the lake. Unlike most dams, the Dead River Dam was not designed to impound water or to control water levels.

ALIC is partnering with 30 Mile to better understand the bi-directional flow of the Dead River, its influence on water quality in the lake, and best policies for the management of the dam.

The Dead River Dam is owned by the State of Maine, but is managed by the Dam Maintenance Committee, a five member body made up of one representative each from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry; the Town of Leeds; the Town of Wayne; and the Androscoggin Lake Improvement Corporation (ALIC).

Loon Count

Each year, lake association volunteers work with Maine Audubon to participate in the nation-wide Annual Loon Count. This is a coordinated effort throughout north America. For more information about loons, visit our Loons page.

Loons in Distress

ALIC supports a special program for identifying and reporting loons in distress. More information can be found by visiting our Loons page.