Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake are the Boothbay Region’s sole public water sources. We know that what happens in Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake watersheds – all the land surrounding the lakes that drains to them – is the biggest factor affecting lake water quality. It may come as a surprise, but soil is the number one contaminant of our lakes. During storm events, when soil erodes and travels in runoff to the lakes, it carries phosphorus, a natural element and essential plant nutrient. How much phosphorus reaches our lakes is the difference between clear water and a green lake clogged with algae.

By capturing precipitation and stabilizing soil particles, intact forests and other vegetated areas protect water quality. Development around lakes not only results in the loss of these natural vegetated water filters, but hard surfaces and structures also increase erosion, runoff, and contaminants entering water bodies. As more soil and phosphorus reach the lakes, water quality declines, increasing water treatment costs and water rates, impairing recreation and reducing watershed property values.

Because our lakes depend on their watersheds, watershed property owners play a crucial role in keeping our public water supply lakes healthy. To help the lakes and watershed land owners, Boothbay Region Water District offers a lake-friendly grant program for projects that reduce erosion, runoff and contaminant inputs.

By taking simple actions, watershed property owners can help protect water quality. Projects, such as planting a native plant buffer, mulching or vegetating bare soil, or installing rain gutters, infiltration steps, and runoff diverters can significantly reduce erosion and the amount of polluted runoff that reaches Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake.

The water district’s lake-friendly grant program offers technical and financial assistance to interested property owners in Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake watersheds. We are happy to meet with you to look at your site and to discuss how your property might be made more lake friendly. Or if you already have a project in mind, please reach out to us before you begin work. BRWD will provide up to $1,000 in matching funds for projects that reduce runoff and erosion, install vegetated native plant buffers along shorelines or replace or upgrade failing septic systems and oil tanks. The lake friendly grant provides up to $1,000 in matching funds – projects must be approved before work commences.

For more information on this program, call Sue Mello at 350-3127 or email her at suem@bbrwd.org