Loon Nesting Restoration - May 23, 2023
The low water level and rocky shore line make it difficult for loons to find a nesting site on Branch Lake this summer. BLAI's Wildlife Coordinator, Valerie Doebler, reached out to the Maine Audubon Society for help. On Tuesday May 23rd, several Branch Lake residents joined Maine Audubon's Tracy Hart & Toni Rabasco to build and place 2 Loon Nesting Rafts - one in Pickeral Cove and one near Winkumpaugh Cove. Many thanks to Nancy Morris, Kim & Dave Skaves, Melanie and Win Joy, Rick Maltz and Chuck Herasymchuck for volunteering their time, effort and boats. Together, they assembled the loon rafts, gathered moss and branches, towed the rafts out to the desired locations and secured them. When you are on the lake this summer BE ON THE LOOKOUT - these rafts are NO WAKE ZONES! Please do not bother or touch the loon rafting nests, and if you see loon activity in the nest, leave them alone!
Lake Level Update - May 2023
Dam Repairs – The City has confirmed that the current lake level is sufficient for the temporary repairs scheduled for the week of May 15 th . Following the completion of these repairs, the dam gates will still be partially open to allow the minimum stream flow required per Federal Law. It is unclear how long it will take for the lake water level to rise naturally.
Water Level – In preparation for the dam repairs, the water level is currently 2 – 3 feet below the low normal for this time of year. This has potential implications to the health and safety of our lake:
The State Boat Launch is operational. The dock is in; however, the water is only about 3 feet deep at the end of the 20-foot ramp. Boat trailers longer than 20 feet may have difficulty until the water level rises.
Private dock installation may be challenging. Shoreline rocks are exposed all around the lake, and if you have a shallow shoreline, you may find your water level to be 10 to 12 feet out. Residents putting fixed docks in are finding that the dock is significantly higher than the water level where their boat will be – a 5 foot drop as shown in this picture.
Residents drawing their water from the lake may find that they need to extend their water pipe.
Boating safety is more important than ever! Rocks and hazards are popping up throughout the lake. For example, we heard “the cow and the calf are now a herd,” Winkumpaugh Cove is basically a mud flat, and Teachers’ Islands are practically joined by rocks. John Wedin, the Lake Steward with the City of Ellsworth, cautions "This is not the lake you remember. Be careful and go slow." It is impossible to mark all the new hazards, so please use extreme caution when boating.
Loon nesting will be very difficult, if not impossible, on the rocky , exposed shoreline. We are working with Maine Lakes to try to install, on an emergency basis, “rafts” for loon nesting.
Algae blooms will be at a higher risk this summer due to shallower water that will warm up faster. This will accelerate the growth of new plants. Efforts are underway to increase water quality testing over the summer. The Invasive Plant Patrol will be on the lookout, and everyone is encouraged to watch your own shoreline for new growth.
Given the unusual circumstances with the lake water level this year, BLAI could use more volunteers to help with IPP or water quality monitoring. No experience needed. If interested, please CLICK HERE or reach out to us at info@branchlakeme.org.