Road and Driveway Repair Projects

A primary threat to water clarity in Messalonskee Lake is polluted runoff or nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Stormwater runoff from rain and snowmelt picks up soil, nutrients, and other pollutants as it flows across the land and washes into the lake.

In an undeveloped, forested watershed, stormwater runoff is slowed and filtered by tree and shrub roots, grasses, leaves, and other natural debris on the forest floor. It then soaks into the uneven forest floor and filters through the soil.

In a developed watershed, however, stormwater does not always receive the filtering treatment the forest once provided. Rainwater picks up speed as it flows across impervious surfaces like rooftops, compacted soil, gravel roads and pavement, and it becomes a destructive erosive force.

Runoff from current development and roads, as well as future development and conversion of small camps to larger year-round homes should be managed properly to prevent delivery of pollutants into Messalonskee Lake. Roads and their counterparts- poorly maintained gravel roads, and driveways, road shoulders, winter sanding, ditches, and culverts- all influence lake water quality.

Messalonskee Lake is on Maine DEPs Nonpoint Source Threatened Lakes Priority List due to its sediment chemistry having the potential to release phosphorus into the water column. Through the Messalonskee Watershed Protection Project, individual property owners, road associations, towns and other organizations can access matching funds over the next two years for Construction- based erosion control projects such as driveways, roads, culverts, etc.

For further information email friendsofmessalonskee@gmail.com.