Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association

To enhance the quality of life in and around Damariscotta Lake, assuring enjoyment for all of its natural and human residents.

Description:
The Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association (DLWA) is a volunteer-based organization founded in 1966. Through our programs, we are committed to:

Protecting Water Quality

Damariscotta Lake is a fragile ecosystem that reacts and responds to changes that take place in our watershed. In 1989, we established an annual water quality monitoring program in the three basins which make up the 7.2 square-mile Lake. This serves as an early warning system to protect our valuable resource.

Invasive plants pose a significant threat to Damariscotta Lake. DLWA staff and volunteers work to identify and prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants through our Courtesy Boat Inspection program and the Invasive Plant Control. An infestation of Hydrilla, which is one of the worst invasive plants, was found on the lake in fall 2009 by one of our volunteer patrollers. DLWA is committed to surveying the whole lake in 2010 to make sure the Hydrilla has not spread to elsewhere on the lake.

Educating community residents and visitors

We must all understand the impact our individual actions have on water quality and take steps to minimize that impact on the Lake. DLWA tries to inform the public through our Web site and at our resource center at 38 Lake Farm Circle in Jefferson. Our quarterly newsletter, The Watershed, is mailed to 2000 families and businesses within the Watershed communities of Jefferson, Nobleboro, Newcastle, Washington and Somerville. So far, over 500 families have chosen to join DLWA!

We teach sixth graders in the towns of Jefferson, Nobleboro, Washington and Somerville about environmental issues and water quality through a series of hands-on activities.

Promoting stewardship of open space in and around the watershed

Through the continuing generosity of our friends and neighbors DLWA has embarked on a program of acquisition of land and conservation easements. Each piece of property is maintained as open space, providing a protective buffer for the lake. Properties entrusted to DLWA will be set aside as a legacy for future generations and open for the enjoyment of the public. DLWA maintains walking, skiing and snowmobiling trails on several properties in Jefferson and Somerville.

Contact people:

Julia Davis, Stewardship Coordinator and Educator, (phone), (email) Nancy Holmes, Administrative Secretary, (phone), (email) Alan Railsback, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (207) 549-3852

Address:

38 Lake Farm Circle Jefferson, ME 04348 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.dlwa.org/

Directions:

Our office is just off Route 126 at the head of the lake in Jefferson.

Last updated on November 13, 2009