Branch Lake Watershed Protection Project, Phase III
Ellsworth & Dedham, Maine – A Watershed-Based Protection Plan outlines strategies for protecting water quality for recreation and the public drinking water supply at Branch Lake.
Following on the heels of the Branch Lake Watershed-Based Protection Plan development project, Ecological Instincts assisted the Branch Lake Association with the development of a US EPA Section 319(h) grant application which was awarded to the Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District (HCSWCD). HCSWCD hired Ecological Instincts to provide project management services to oversee a two-year grant Watershed Protection Project for Branch Lake in Ellsworth, Maine.
Branch Lake is listed as “Threatened” on Maine DEP’s Nonpoint Source (NPS) Priority Watersheds List because it is a public water supply. The watershed also includes upstream Harriman Pond, another “Threatened” lake that is sensitive to development in its watershed. Branch Lake serves as the public water supply for the City of Ellsworth, servicing approximately 3,300 residential users along with local businesses.
The Phase III Watershed Protection Project resulted in 41 site visits and 15 LakeSmart assessments, installation of conservation practices at 14 road/driveway sites and four residential sites, two buffer workshops, and development of a source water protection tri-fold brochure mailed to 410 landowners on the shoreline of Branch Lake and Harriman Pond. Ecological Instincts provided project and grant management for the project, support for HCSWCD for technical site visits and cost-share agreements with landowners, meeting facilitation, and education and outreach for the project.
Project partners: Branch Lake Association, Harriman Pond Lake Association, Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District, Maine DEP, City of Ellsworth, and Ecological Instincts.