Mousam Lake Region Association

05/28/2026

Mousam Lake & Goose Pond (which cover parts of Shapleigh and of Acton) have an intruder ... their name is Swollen Bladderwort (SB), or more formally Utricularia Inflata. The good news for remediation is that they do not set roots; they float around. Increasing numbers of invasive aquatic plants highlights the reasoning behind Maine's CLEAN DRAIN DRY Boating Law.

We CURRENTLY have volunteers from our out surveying Mousam and Goose Pond to see where we have concentrations of this invasive Bladderwort. Please safely boat around anyone in the water or standing in a boat near the shoreline. If you see someone arrive to your waterfront, go say "hi", meet a neighbor, and know what you can help pull from your waterfront in the future! TY

Mousam Lake is the native habitat for Purple, Common, and Floating Badderwort plants. You can see comparisons of native and invasive plants in our downloadable Lake Dwellers' Handbook, which also offers information about enhancing and protecting our local water sheds. We encourage anyone who enjoys time on Maine's pristine lakes to take a look!

https://mousamlake.org/images/uploads/files/mlra-2024-digital.pdf

In this video, team members are using an underwater drone to spot SB plants amid the natives. We are assessing deepest and worst spots to assign to a DASH (Diver Assisted Suction Harvester) contractor. Get involved; email [email protected] and ask how you can help!

https://youtu.be/W_DbEhXRb7g

Plenty of Utricularia inflata here.

05/23/2026

The Association's docks, DASH Boat and Water Quality Testing Boat were launched this morning by a small yet mighty team, comprised of members of our Board and of the .

Our thanks also to Fred Kelly Jr, who has aptly taken over his dad's volunteer gig, conducting our off-season camp inspections and placing the State of Maine's navigational markers on their stipulated GPS points.

It is unlawful to tamper with or move any marker; yet accidents do happen. 🙈 During the boating season, should you cause/notice a missing, broken or moved marker, please send an email to [email protected] (subj, MARKERS) so our volunteers can remedy.

If you'd like to get involved, we can likely match you with a need. We are still short on people good with gaming consoles and willing to learn to operate our underwater drone (used in scouting for invasive underwater plants). Email is best communication method.

05/20/2026

It's MAINE STATE LAW that boats should operate at lowest possible speed while still maintaining steering capability WITHIN 200 feet of ANY LAKE SHORELINE. So, if you want to speed along, avoid being within 200' of the edge of the lake.

There are tight points in our lake which get posted as NO WAKE ZONES because they are less than 200' in total (markers are imminent within this week). It is ultimately every boater's responsibility to follow Maine Boating Laws. Stay at head speed within 200 feet of the shoreline or edge of the lake.

Take note that if you wait until the last second to throttle down (or zoom out of a No Wake Zone), you will create a large wake rushing toward the shore. Ease off gradually, in advance of coming toward the shore or into a squeeze point. Mercury Motors also suggests "don’t be tempted to inch the throttle forward while navigating a no wake zone. Increasing speed while off plane can quickly create a substantial wake, which is the very thing you’re required to avoid in such an area."

Otherwise, you are contributing to shoreline erosion and a degradation of water quality in our lake! Respect the Law, respect the Lake, respect your neighbors. Thank you!

FAQ

Why are large waves bad for the habitat? Large waves, from any source, cause shoreline erosion. Plant matter goes into the water (that = more phosphorous) and changes the lake pH, enabling algea bloom.

We've shared more on p. 22 of this downloadable Mousam Lake Region Association MLRA handbook.

https://mousamlake.org/images/uploads/files/mlra-2024-prints-2-8_5x11.pdf

05/14/2026

PUBLIC INVITE ~ Southern Maine Lake & Watershed Stewardship EXPO, May 28, 10am – 1pm at Acton Congregational Church

Veteran stewards, "newbies" and anyone that has interests in a waterbody or water-related recreation will find something of interest among information stations offered indoors and out during the expo. Gain insight … get involved … each/all of us can become active caretakers of our treasured waterbodies and watersheds. Understanding the challenges to water quality by invasive aquatic species, cyanobacteria, shoreland erosion, polluted run-off, etc. empowers us to SEE and BE factors in the change.

INDOOR DISPLAY STATIONS:
• Volunteer water quality monitoring - Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM)
• Cyanobacteria: volunteer detection & reporting - Stephanie Thornton, Lovell Lake Assoc. & AWWA volunteer
• Volunteer Invasive Plant Patrol (aquatic) - Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM)
• Courtesy Boat Inspection & Clean-Drain-Dry initiative/messaging – ME DEP, Invasive Aquatic Species Prog.
• LakeSmart Program – Maine Lakes
• Erosion Control – Local services/programs, Acton-Shapleigh Youth Cons. Corps & Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance (ASYCC & AWWA)

OUTDOOR DEMONSTRATIONS:
• CD3 trailered, solar powered boat cleaning unit – NH Lakes & CD3
• Stream table OR Enviroscape (TBD) demonstrations – York County Soil & Water Conservation District (YCSWCD)

The May 28th Stewardship Expo will be hosted by Alliance for Watershed Stewardship in Southern Maine (AWSSM). AWSSM is a newly formed collaborative entity – comprised of lake associations and other conservation-focused organizations in the York County/southern Maine region.

Basic refreshments, beverages and snacks, will be provided. If desired, participants can bring a bag lunch. Add’l info, contact Laurie Callahan,York County Invasive Aquatic Species Project (YCIASP), [email protected]

04/15/2026

Registration is open for the Lakes Environmental Association's Maine Summit Aquatic Invasive Species to be held in Augusta on May 1 (9:30 to 12:30, with an hour of open networking to follow).

The MSAIS (formerly the “Milfoil Summit”) is a half-day gathering of organizations and individuals involved with the prevention, eradication, and early detection of invasive aquatic species (AIS) in Maine.

Each year, a series of presenters will share research, current events, legislation, enforcement efforts, and more. This is an opportunity to connect with like-minded people and learn more about AIS in Maine.

Agenda, registration, location: https://mainelakes.org/maine-summit-on-invasive-aquatic-species/

Lakes Environmental Association · 230 Main St · Bridgton, ME 04009-1245 · www.mainelakes.org

04/14/2026

NEW YEAR, New PFD mandate for 11 and 12 year olds.

Maine law now requires that all children 12 years of age or younger wear a United States Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD), such as a lifejacket or buoyancy vest, whenever they are on a recreational watercraft. This includes boats, jet skis, paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, and similar vessels.

This change was initiated and passed by the Maine State Legislature to improve youth safety on Maine’s waters. The updated age requirement, raised from 10 years old to 12 years old, now also aligns with Federal Law.

Maine’s ocean waters are considered cold year-round, and even strong swimmers can quickly become hypothermic, which severely impacts swimming ability.

While we recommend that everyone wear a properly fitted PFD when on the water, this change to State law specifically applies to children. One U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD is still required for each person on a watercraft, regardless of age. Boats longer than 16 feet are also required to have one Type IV throwable device, like a ring buoy (except canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards).

Entire brochure is here:https://www.maine.gov/ifw/docs/maine-boating-laws.pdf

04/12/2026

Your Knowing Cold Water Facts Could Save a Life!
[info and image copy/paste from email to MLRA from Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife ... safety ensures fun!]

Spring has arrived, and with it comes the return of open water fishing and early-season paddling. But while the air may feel warm, Maine’s waters tell a very different story. In April, average inland water temperatures hover around 40°F—about the same as the ocean—which is Ideal for brook trout (50–65°F), but dangerously cold for people.

Cold water is unforgiving. It pulls heat from your body four times faster than air, and the effects can set in quickly:

Below 70°F: Cold water becomes increasingly dangerous
Below 60°F: Loss of strength and coordination can happen in under 10 minutes
Below 50°F: Cold water shock can occur immediately
Around 40°F: Survival time may be measured in minutes

Maine waters typically don’t reach 50°F until early May and won’t feel truly warm until summer. So, don’t let a sunny day fool you: cold water doesn’t care how experienced you are. Understanding the risks and preparing for them can make all the difference:

Dress for the water, not the air: Wetsuits or dry suits are recommended below 70°F
Always wear a life jacket: It could save your life
Plan for immersion: Assume you could end up in the water
File a float plan: Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll return

Comment below is another post by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife focusing on wearing a life jacket near frigid waters. Learn more about cold water safety from U.S. National Weather Service (NWS): https://www.weather.gov/safety/coldwater

03/09/2026

Found this Pocket Guide from Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife. Loving how there are not only individual foot print patterns, but also track patterns of walking movement! Nice resource!

02/01/2026

Renewal notices for the calendar year 2026 have been emailed (based upon prior year's membership data base). MLRA membership is open to shoreline owners on Goose and Mousam.

https://mousamlake.org/membership/join.asp

If you're not lakefront, we appreciate your interest/caring, social media follow and efforts to help preserve water quality for the Mousam Lake Region Watershed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out via email to [email protected].

12/09/2025

Sending wishes to you for peace, laughter and joy throughout the holiday season and well beyond❣️ 2025 was an exciting year for the MLRA ☃️

Our greatest accomplishment, made possible by community support with our GoFundMe, was our selecting and equipping an MLRA DASH (Diver-Assisted Suction Harvest) boat. Before season's end, we were able to test the equipment; we have a few adaptations to make in Spring. Then, the boat will go into service in mitigating Swollen Bladderwort (utricularia inflata, an invasive species now present in Mousam/Goose and add'l Maine's Lakes 🥹).

We had a great Forth of July Parade, up the Acton side of the lake ... 2026 will travel along the Shapleigh side of the lake. It's not too early to think about your prize-winning 2026 float! In addition, the Annual Kid's Fishing derby (always the third Saturday morning in July, arrival only by boat, wearing life jacket) had many participants and many fish were snagged.

We thank our local business sponsors, Lakeside Sport And Marine for sponsoring the Kid's Fishing Derby and Iron Tails Saloon & Willy's for supporting our Water Quality Fund. We thank our volunteer Board of Directors, the and , our many resident volunteers who help in so many ways that support the Lake's health and boater safety, and our members.

😍 We wish our community a safe and happy holiday season☮️ We look forward to seeing you in 2026❣️