Lakes

Belgrade, Maine, sits in a regional watershed composed of seven lakes, known collectively as the Belgrade Lakes, along with many streams and wetlands. Twelve other towns share those lakeshores. The lakes and inlet/outlet streams offer several species of fish for anglers, water surface for boaters, and excellent bird-watching. With targeted forestry and strategic land management expanding -- and former farmland reverting to tree growth -- water quality is improving. As an added result, deer, moose and birds have become more plentiful for people to enjoy. 

Great Pond water quality management plan

A video of a virtual meeting detailing water quality trends in Great Pond and a management plan for reversing declining water clarity is available for viewing at https://bit.ly/3gSGfaQ. The 7 Lakes Alliance and the Belgrade Lakes Association (BLA) conducted the online forum Dec. 10, 2020. During the discussion, scientists and environmentalists talked about measures to reduce pollution running off into the lake, preventing algal blooms and monitoring the lake’s condition.

Protecting the lakes

To ensure the Belgrade Lakes remain the natural treasures they are for locals and visitors alike for generations to come, we offer the following suggestions. 

• Bathe in a bathtub rather than a lake. Shampoos, soaps and detergents contain phosphorus that contaminates lakes.
• Carry-in and carry-out rather than using the lakes as a trash can. Any waste dropped into the lakes cause their deterioration. 
• Enjoy the public Fourth of July fireworks versus lighting your own. If you do shoot off fireworks, do so away from the lakes; pyrotechnics add to the phosphorous that harms a lake's ecology. Also, in shooting fireworks, please be considerate of neighbors and their pets. 
• Inspect watercrafts and fishing tackle for invasive plant fragments before they enter and after they leave the water. 
• Avoid fishing tackle with lead, opting for steel shot instead. Lead kills loons, whose populations are sensitive to the environment.
• Contribute to efforts to preserve the lakes. Organizations such as the 7 Lakes Alliance, the Belgrade Lakes Association and the Friends of Messalonskee are actively working to protect and improve the health of our lakes. They and other lake associations would appreciate your financial support.

Neighborly boating

The Maine guide to boating laws and regulations is posted on the Town's website at townofbelgrade.com/boatingguide.
Of particular note to being neighborly on Belgrade's lakes is this passage about imprudent operation of watercraft:
"A person may not, while operating a watercraft on the inland or coastal waters of the State, engage in prolonged circling, informal racing, wake jumping or other types of continued and repeated activities that harass another person."
Enjoy your boats, jet skis and other watercraft safely and considerately this summer.