What happens in the watershed doesn't always stay in the watershed. Sometimes, for better or worse, it ends up in the lake.

Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake are the Boothbay Region's two sources of drinking water. With their associated wetlands, they also provide beauty, recreation and important wildlife habitats. The health of Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake is not just important to the community's quality of life, it's important to its economy.

Scientific research has established that lake water quality is tied to what happens in the watershed, that is, all the land that drains into a lake. To protect water quality before it is significantly degraded (the most effective and least costly approach), it is essential to look closely at what happens in the watershed.

On June 7, the Boothbay Region Water District will team up with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Knox-Lincoln County Soil and Water Conservation District and local organizations and volunteers to conduct surveys in both Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake watersheds. The June 7 survey will particularly focus on erosion and runoff and will identify sites that are the most significant sources of sediment to each water body.

When sediment is eroded by storm water and enters streams, ponds and lakes, it carries with it phosphorus, an essential nutrient to plants. When too much soil and phosphorus enter lakes, the phosphorus stimulates plant growth, which can lead to algae blooms. Algae blooms not only make lakes unsuitable for swimming and recreation, they affect water quality and can cause fish kills.

Poor water quality also means higher treatment costs, which translate into higher costs for water ratepayers and taxpayers. When lake water quality declines, it also affects property values and the quality of life the community offers.

Once this phosphorus enrichment cycle gets started it can be very difficult and extremely costly to disrupt.

The goal of the June 7 watershed survey is to identify the significant sources of sediment in each water body. After the survey is completed, the Water District will work with the community and property owners to evaluate the results, prioritize sites for restoration and develop restoration plans. Our goal is to pursue available federal and state grant dollars in 2015 to begin to remedy these pollution sources.

No part of this watershed survey has anything to due with enforcement or any regulatory activity. It is strictly about identifying sites with the goal of finding solutions, in cooperation with property owners and other interested community organizations. If you are a watershed landowner, you should be receiving a letter from the Water District in the next week. If you have not received a letter from us regarding this survey by May 21, please contact the Water District Watershed  Project at 207-633-4723 ext. 111.

Although we believe erosion may be a significant factor for our local lakes, we do not believe it is the only important factor. While the June 7 survey focuses only on erosion, we also plan to increase public education about watershed conservation and to develop watershed protection plans for both Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake.

The Boothbay Region YMCA, Knickerbocker Lake Association, Boothbay Region Land Trust, the Knox Lincoln County Soil and Water Conservation District, the West Harbor Pond Association and the town of Boothbay have all agreed to work with us to develop watershed plans. We hope to have the help of interested citizens, as well.

On June 7, the watershed survey starts at 9 a.m. at the Water District office on Adams Pond Road with a volunteer training session conducted by Maine DEP. Following training, DEP, the Soil and Water Conservation District, the Water District and local volunteers will be out in the watershed identifying erosion sites and their significance to each water body.

If you would like to participate in the watershed survey or any other watershed conservation activities, please contact the Water District at 207-633-4723 ext. 111 or email suembbrwd@gmail.com by June 1. We welcome your ideas about ways to conserve our local watersheds and lakes.