Water Quality Programs
Oxygen Data Collection Program
Why we do quality water testing on Porter Lake
“Reliable information about Maine lakes, both individually and collectively is the foundation of all efforts to protect, manage and restore these resources” Lake Stewards of Maine (lakestewardsofmaine.org). The PLA water testing committee has been and is continuing to gather water quality data from Porter Lake so that we have real data to indicate the ongoing health of the lake. The three types of data we are now gathering are water clarity (Sechidisc readings) length of growing season (Ice out and ice in dates) both collected by Ann and Alden Wattles, and amounts of oxygen available to life in the lake (Dissolved oxygen readings) gathered by Hal Hutchins and Karl Knight). The data that has been gathered over the years indicates that at the present time Porter Lake is a heathy lake.
Dissolved Oxygen Composition Data
Sechi Disk Data Collection
Summer Dates:
2017, 8.70 M
2018, 9.00 M
2019, 8.80 M
2021, 8.50 M
Lake Smart Program
Join a LakeSmart Program Help landowners on your lake reduce erosion and become LakeSmart. Maine Lakes provides all training and materials to local groups of volunteers to administer the LakeSmart Program for their lake. LakeSmart volunteers meet landowners, evaluate properties and offer suggestions for creating lake friendly properties.
Boat Inspection Program
Maine has 2,400 lakes greater than 10 acres in size with less than 1% of these infested with invasive aquatic plants. Maine's primary invasive aquatic species prevention effort is the Courtesy Boat Inspection (CBI) program. The CBI Program completed its 19th year in 2019. The purpose of these voluntary inspections is to reduce the spread of invasive aquatic plants (IAP) to Maine waters by boats, trailers, and associated equipment. Trained Courtesy Boat Inspectors discuss with boaters the risk posed by IAP, show boaters how to inspect and remove vegetation from boating and fishing equipment, and urge boaters to inspect before each time they launch and after each time they retrieve their boat.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) contracts with Lakes Environmental Association in Bridgton to provide inspector training and assist DEP with grant oversight and communications.