Wilson, Varnum & Pease Pond Watershed Survey
Wilton, Maine – A watershed survey for three ponds in Wilton identified sources of pollution affecting the ponds that can be addressed to protect water quality.
Ecological Instincts provided project management and technical assistance to the Friends of Wilson Lake (FOWL) to complete an updated watershed survey for Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond, and Pease Pond in the fall of 2024. The survey identified 76 sites in the Wilson Lake watershed, 31 sites in the Pease Pond watershed, and 16 sites in the Varnum Pond watershed, for a total of 123 sites between that are contributing nonpoint source (NPS) pollution to the three ponds. While not hydrologically connected, all three ponds are located in the Town of Wilton and all flow to the Sandy River.
Survey tasks included preparing a landowner mailing, GIS mapping, development of field packets and survey materials, a volunteer training, a multi-day field survey, and a watershed survey report. Survey results were presented at a public meeting hosted by FOWL. Ecological Instincts worked with FOWL and the Town of Wilton to prioritize NPS sites for future remediation.
Wilson Lake is listed as “Threatened” on the Maine DEP’s NPS Priority Watersheds List due to a declining water clarity trend in the recent past. Varnum Pond is also listed as threatened because it is the public drinking water supply for the Town of Wilton and North Jay. The watershed survey helped document current threats to water quality in all three lakes, and will help the town and its partners receive state and federal grant funds to address those threats.
Project Partners included FOWL, Town of Wilton, Maine DEP, Spruce Mountain High School, Ecological Instincts, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond volunteers.