Enter Today! Summer Photo Contest

2020 winning photos. Photographers from left to right: Karen Kurkjian, Ted Becker, Karen Kurkjian, Barbara Chisholm, Christine Merchant, Michael O'Malley, John West & Andy Tolman

Another Successful Paddle Trek!

Many thanks to the lake lovers who participated in this year’s Paddle Trek and to our many wonderful sponsors who support 30 Mile River’s commitment to protecting and preserving our lakes. Thanks also to our ten volunteers and the Fayette Fire Department, who did their part to ensure that the road crossing from Echo to Lovejoy Pond was safe. Thank you to all!

It was a beautiful day in the 30 Mile River Watershed with 42 paddlers of all ages arriving early at the Mount Vernon Town Beach and Echo Lake boat ramp to start their journey. This beautiful, scenic adventure travels through 10 picturesque and distinctly different bodies of water within the watershed, culminating in Wayne at Memorial Park. The day was filled with comradery, teamwork, lots of fun and, of course, a well earned ice cream from Tubby’s for all who finished, compliments of 30 Mile. We look forward to seeing all of you, and many new faces, at next year’s 13th Annual Paddle Trek.

Have you completed a rainy day survey?

The #1 threat to water quality in Maine lakes is polluted stormwater runoff. This is because dirt and soil found in runoff contains phosphorus, a nutrient that feeds algae. There are many ways to help keep runoff out of the lake, like keeping soil covered by mulch, crushed stone, or vegetation.

Next time it rains, conduct a

Rainy Day Survey

Sometimes stormwater runoff issues can be hard to see during dry weather alone. Enter: the "rainy day survey"! During the next heavy rain, don’t run for cover. Instead, grab your raincoat and head outside!

Tips for your Rainy Day Survey

• Start at the top of your property and work your way down to the shorefront.
• Note where the rainwater is going, and where it’s coming from - what’s the source?
• Note where the flow is the heaviest. Is it concentrating or channelizing in certain areas?
• Determine places where natural vegetation might be able to absorb runoff.
• Look at your path to the shorefront. Does it bring runoff into the lake?
• Identify points on the water’s edge that are allowing runoff to enter the lake (docks, launch areas, etc.).

Now that you know where runoff is going, make a plan to divert and infiltrate. Click here for a list of recommendations.

Also, if you have questions, 30 Mile's Program Manager, Whitney, is just an email away (whitney@30mileriver.org).

Androscoggin Milfoil Update

Our intensive survey efforts have been ongoing all summer. Since the DEP removed invasive milfoil in Androscoggin Lake’s Inner Cove in late June, our survey team has found only a few additional plants, which were removed in late July or will be later this week. We have continued to survey the cove weekly, monitoring for any new growth. Surveying will continue into the fall.

In late July, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ordered a temporary “Surface Use Restriction” in the cove, closing the area where the invasive plants have been found. This closure is intended to limit the spread of the plants while we are working on controlling the infestation. For more details, visit our website.

Throughout the summer, 25 volunteers with the lake association's (ALIC) “Eyes on the Water Team” have been surveying their designated sectors of the lake. All the near shore areas where aquatic plants are likely to grow have now been surveyed this season.

Thank you volunteers! Luckily, no suspicious plants were found in other areas of the lake. For more on the Androscoggin Milfoil Project, visit our website.

Board Member Spotlight

Don Welsh is a retired Marine Corps colonel who lives in Wayne, Maine with his wife Susan. He has a B.A. in history from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts and a M.A. in business management from Central Michigan University. He and Susan first came to Wayne as camp owners on Androscoggin Lake in the early ‘70s and became permanent residents in 2011.

Don is committed to protecting the lakes and their wildlife, and therefore, property values, recreational opportunities, and Maine’s economy. Don and Susan received the LakeSmart award in 2018 due to their use of natural landscaping strategies that mimic nature’s balance of plants, shrubs, winding paths, and shady trees. Don furthered his commitment to lake protection by joining the 30 Mile Board of Directors in February of this year.

Don is very busy doing volunteer work for his town, where he is Chair of the Wayne Select Board, member of the Board of Directors for the Wayne library, and member of the Board of Directors for the Androscoggin Lake Improvement Corporation (ALIC), and an active member of the Wayne Historical Society and the Kennebec Land Trust.

He loves the outdoors and enjoys swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking. Don is a wonderful addition to 30 Mile’s dedicated Board of Directors.