The dam functioned flawlessly for another year. As a reminder, the dam is opened to lower the water level on about October 15 (generally Columbus Day), and is closed again to raise the water level shortly after ice-out (between mid-April and early-May). This helps to avoid shore damage from ice and protect loon nests. Read more on the Dam page on this site.
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This year, two baby loons were born on the east end of the lake. We are happy to report that the two chicks are successfully finding food on their own, look healthy and are exploring the entire lake. The island loons did build and sit on a nest but, the fate of the one baby is unknown. We suspect that the parents abandoned the nest because of too much human interaction (but only they will know for sure). This led
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And help the lake. Did you know nature recycles? Tree leaves are fed by the nutrients in your soil, which they return when they fall. It’s crazy to bag up and remove leaves, and then replace those missing nutrients with applications of petrochemical fertilizers (which can harm the lake). Instead, rake or blow leaves from gardens and paved areas into a 5-inch deep pile in a corner of your yard that you can run over with your mower several times
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Its that time of year again… The Watchic Lake dam gate will be lowered on Columbus Day, Monday October 9, 2017 for the winter. Following the opening, the lake level will go down to its winter level over the course of about two to four weeks (depending in part on rainfall). Lowering the lake level protects our shoreline from winter ice damage. Plan your boat and dock removal accordingly. Except in extreme weather situations, we have lowered the dam on
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In August and September of 2017, a group of 12 WLA board members and volunteers surveyed Watchic Lake for invasive plant species – none were found. This is the second year a thorough inventory of lake plants has been completed. As a member of the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program, we are asked to submit an inventory of the native plants found in the lake. Click here for the 2017 VMLP Invasive Aquatic Plant Screening Survey and the Map of the Areas Surveyed.
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Thank you to Becky, Isabelle, and Mike Hanaburgh (owners of the Little Gatsby Cottage on Hartford Lane) along with friends Derry Rundlett , Eric Shute and Patty Taylor for sponsoring a Murder Mystery charity event at their home on Watchic Lake on June 17, 2017. The event was a huge success with 60 friends, family, and people from in and around the lake in attendance. Due to the success of the event, a donation was made to the Watchic Lake
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Just 10 miles from Watchic Lake, Long Lake has recently been found to be infested with variable leaf milfoil. “On August 1st the Lakes Environmental Association and Maine Department of Environmental Protection have identified variable leaf milfoil growing in Long Lake. Long Lake had previously been thought to be safe from this invasive aquatic plant, but substantial growth has been found in Mast Cove in Naples” (Maine Lakes Association). PLEASE HELP KEEP WATCHIC LAKE INVASIVE FREE! Always remove all plants from
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The endangered Blanding’s turtle has been spotted near Watchic Lake. This was most recently in 2013, when one was captured and tagged near the Inlet Restaurant (Rte. 113 near Watchic Road 19). Derek Yorks of the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) would greatly appreciate any information or sightings of the Blanding’s turtle around Watchic Lake. Blanding’s turtles are most frequently found in complexes of small acidic wetlands, vernal pools located in forested habitats, in marshes, forest and shrub swamps,
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Sarah Haggerty, Conservation Biologist and GIS Manager for the Maine Audubon Society recently provided Watchic Lake Association members with a fascinating set of information about wildlife on and around the lake. Sarah covered eagles, loons, fish, turtles, and work being planned by Maine DOT to make streams coming into the lake more wildlife friendly. Sarah was keen to point out what a good job property owners, lake users, and the association are doing to maintain a wildlife friendly lake. Click
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With all the rain we have had lately, there have been gardening articles reporting that you should fertilize more because nutrients have been washed away. But if you have native plants and a healthy lawn, fertilizers are not needed in northern New England. Recent soil studies at the University of Vermont show there is plenty of nitrogen and phosphorus naturally occurring around most lakes in New England. If you do decide to use fertilizer on your lakefront property, make sure
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This listing includes events happening on Watchic Lake or in Standish. Many other regional events ca...
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The Standish Fish and Game Club will host a Boating Safety Course instructed by volunteers for the M...
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