Current News and Updates
8/30/10 Invasive plant survey update
Thanks to more than 150 volunteers and several interns and staff members, it looks like we're going to be able to check the entire shoreline of Damariscotta Lake for signs of Hydrilla! Click here to download a map showing the areas assigned and completed. Areas in orange and black stripes have been surveyed. Areas in a variety of pastel colors have been assigned to volunteers. Click here for more information on the invasive plant survey.
8/23/10 Prehistoric creatures and carnivorous plants in Damariscotta Lake
Click here to download and read a fascinating article written by one of our seasonal invasive plant program staff members, Amanda Moeser, about all the interesting things we've seen in the lake this summer.
7/22/10 Think you found Hydrilla?
We're happy to have people call us when they find suspicious plants. Here's some information and pictures so you know what to look for.
Hydrilla grows under the water surface, with the exception of a small white flower that can extend above the surface on a stalk.
Hydrilla's leaves are arranged in whorls, meaning that more than two leaves are attached to the stem at the same place, creating a circular pattern. Hydrilla has three to ten leaves in each whorl.
The leaves themselves are slender and lance-shaped. If you look closely with a hand lens (and sometimes with the naked eye) you can see teeth (like a steak knife) on the edges of the leaves.
 Hydrilla looks very similar to two native waterweeds, also called elodea. Waterweed, however, almost always has three leaves in each whorl and the leaf edges are not toothed.
If you find a suspicious plant, count the number of leaves in each whorl and look for serrations on the edges of the leaves.
If you think you might have found Hydrilla, please call DLWA at 549-3836.
Learn more about the lake survey for invasive plants and browse training materials by clicking here. Learn more about Hydrilla by clicking here.
7/13/10 DLWA annual meeting this Sunday
Come join us at DLWA's 45th annual meeting this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at the North Nobleboro Community Hall on Upper East Pond Road in Nobleboro. Paul Gregory will speak about Hydrilla and Sandy Buck will speak about land conservation. Short presentations will be given on DLWA's programs.
There will be a potluck dinner at 5:15 p.m. A short business meeting will follow dinner. All are welcome.
7/12/10 Invasive plant prevention program off to a great start
In an effort to survey Damariscotta Lake for any signs of the invasive plant, Hydrilla, DLWA has trained 56 volunteers to identify Hydrilla and conduct a survey. We've assiged 1/3-1/2-mile sections of the shallow areas of the lake to 36 teams. With 45 miles of shoreline, we expect to divide the lake into 90-135 sections. With four more trainings to go and four staff members spending part of their time on patrol, we're feeling optimistic about our ability to cover the whole littoral area (anywhere sunlight reaches the bottom). Click here to download a map of the lake showing the areas that have been assigned to volunteers.
Meanwhile, the DEP has been working to control the current Hydrilla infestation. The following two articles describe their work so far. Click here for an article published in the Lincoln County News. Click here to read the June 2010 Milfoil Newsletter.
Our Courtesy Boat Inspectors have already checked more boats this year than they checked all of last year! Thanks to new volunteers and money from the DEP that helped fund two summer staff members, we've expanded our hours at the State Boat Launch in Jefferson and added the Vannah Road Launch in Nobleboro.
We're still looking for more volunteers to patrol the lake for invasive plants and educate boaters and check boats for plant fragments at the boat launches. Contact Julia Davis at 549-3836 or Julia@dlwa.org for more information.
6/22/10 Check out photos from our first annual Damariscotta Lake Hooked on Fishing.
Click here to visit the online photo album.
5/12/10
Children invited to fishing event on Damariscotta Lake
Children and parents or other adults are invited to Damariscotta Lake State Park on June 12 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for a Hooked on Fishing event sponsored by the Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association (DLWA) and other area groups. The rain date for this event will be June 13.
Experienced boaters will bring children to the best fishing spots on the lake, and there will be plenty of activities on shore to keep families occupied. During this fun and educational event, children will have the chance to learn about fishing, invasive plants, the Maine State Parks new Passport Program and other topics. Equipment, bait, boats, lifejackets and food will be provided free of charge. The first 50 participants to register will get into the park for free. Park admission is $4 for people ages 12 and up and $1 for children ages 5-11.
This Hooked on Fishing program is a collaboration between Knox County Bass Masters, Lincoln County Fish & Game, Kieve-Wavus Camps, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Whitefield Lions Club and DLWA. 4/28/10 Sign up for sailing camp
The Central Lincoln County YMCA, in conjunction with the Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association, now offers sailing camp on Damariscotta Lake. Operated out of the DLWA headquarters, this program will use a combination of boats to teach students to sail. Half-day weekly sessions are available for children ages 8-16 from July 5-July 30. The cost is $115 for YMCA members and $160 for nonmembers. For more information or to sign up, contact the YMCA at 563-3477 or visit the YMCA's website.
3/22/10 Lots of April events
Check out our Events Calendar for lots of fun April events, including an open house at the DLWA office and Earth Day fun at historic Chimney Farm!
2/15/10 DLWA winter skating party
We had a great time at DLWA's winter party last Saturday! If you missed it, there will be more opportunities to check out DLWA's lakefront office. We have an open house event scheduled for April 11.
 
1/14/10 Looking for a place to go cross-country skiing?
Come to DLWA's West Branch Preserve. Around 4 miles of groomed trails are waiting for you, as well as ungroomed trails. Download a trail map. To get there, turn off North Mountain Road in Somerville where you see the sign for the Rocky Mountain Ranch. Park by the side of the road before the gate. Enjoy!
1/4/10 DLWA offers family programs
Happy New Year!
DLWA will be offering a series of
three fun, hands-on and free family events this winter on Saturdays from 10-11:30 a.m. We will explore animal tracks and signs on February 13,
embark on a natural scavenger hunt on March 13 and learn about trees on April 10. For more information, visit the Events Calendar.
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