09/04/2026
"The summer ends, and it is time..."
So begins a poem by Wendell Berry - farmer, literary genius, and one of the most influential and acclaimed environmental voices of the past century - who passed away this week. Berry wrote of the deep responsibility we carry toward the places we call home, and of paying close attention to the water, the land, and the neighbors who share them with us.
That message feels fitting today, as we close out our Public Health Monitoring season and thank all of the volunteers who help us get these samples, run the tests, and share the results all summer long - we couldn't do it without you.
To everyone who enjoys Damariscotta Lake and all of Maine's precious waterways, take good care as you savor the last moments summer has to offer.
This Week’s Results (the US EPA’s recommended freshwater Beach Action Value is 190 MPN/100mL for E. coli in Freshwater):
✅ Ice House Park (Damariscotta Mills): 145.5
✅ Bunker Hill Boat Launch: 7.4
✅ Davis Stream: 28.8
✅ Damariscotta Lake State Park: 15.2
✅ The Narrows: 15.8
✅ Vannah Road Boat Launch: 15.8
**Results represent conditions at a certain place and time and are subject to change, especially with rainfall.
**There are always inherent risks associated with open water swimming and we recommend following these best practices: avoid inadvertently swallowing lake water, avoid swimming after heavy rainfall, do not swim if you are ill, shower before and after swimming, wash hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers, and clean up pet waste within the shoreland area.
**Not all sites are public swimming areas, but we attempt to represent a large portion of Damariscotta lake.
