Love our Lakes!  Become LakeSmart!

PictureCourtesy of Maine Lakes Society LakeSmart (http://mainelakessociety.org)

​Whether we are swimming, boating, fishing, birdwatching, or just relaxing on the shore, we all treasure our time at Pushaw Lake or Pushaw Pond. While we appreciate the beauty and peace that lake living provides, we need to be aware of how our lakeshore living  directly affects the lake and the potential harm we can cause if we are not careful. LakeSmart is a program developed by the Maine Lakes Society to protect our lakes by teaching us how to control pollutants from entering the lake which hurt the water quality, fish and animal populations.

Several new resources are available to support efforts to protect our lake:


What is harming our lakes?
PHOSPHORUS!  From fertilizer, soil, animal waste, cleaners, pesticides to eroded soil from yards, farms, septic systems, and roads, phosphorus is the #1 pollutant.

Did you know?
  • Phosphorus in the lake causes algae blooms which turn the lake green and reduce oxygen levels which choke fish.
  • Phosphorus levels in Pushaw Lake have been increasing over the past 10 years (see 2016 and 2017 GPLA Water Quality Reports) based on data collected by GPLA volunteers. 
  • Pushaw Lake experienced an algae bloom in July 2017...see photo below right. 
  • Runoff from developed land can contribute 5 -10 times more phosphorus than from forested land.
  • Fertilizers are banned within 25 feet of a lake but should be applied at least 50 feet from a body of water. Fertilizers with no phosphorus are best.
  • 90% of what goes into a lake stays in a lake.
  • Lakeside property values are linked to lake quality so as water quality declines your property value decreases.   


What is the good news?
We can make a difference! GPLA implemented LakeSmart in 2017.  We have our own trained screeners who, if requested by a homeowner, will come visit your property and give you a free personalized plan to reduce runoff. This program also recognizes waterfront homeowners with already healthy shorelines by awarding attractive Lake Smart Award signs. We encourage you to contact our coordinator at pushawlakesmart@gmail.com with questions or to get started with a visit. We also urge you to view the resources provided on this website to learn more.  LakeSmart is a mindset… once you know what is harmful to the lake and the ways to address it, you will be more conscious of your own impact and can make a difference.

What can we all do?
1. Check this LakeSmart flyer to find out more about the program.
2. Explore a dozen tips to see what simple changes you can make around your property.
2. Consider a free visit from one of your neighbor GPLA members who have been trained to help you by emailing pushawlakesmart@gmail.com.
3. Spread the word about how GPLA is supporting the LakeSmart initiative, so we can all play a role in helping Pushaw Lake and Pushaw Pond!
4. Share LakeSmart information and brochures at road association and other lake club meetings and with your neighbors.

What is a LakeSmart visit?
If you are not sure how your property impacts the lake and how to utilize these LakeSmart resources, then let us figure it out for you.  Once you schedule a visit, we will walk your property from the driveway to the shore, then show you what we have learned. You will receive a personalized summary of your property with useful recommendations along with helpful resources specific to your waterfront. You will now have a blueprint for a healthy shoreline and then it is up to you. Our visits are voluntary and non-regulatory...just a friendly visit to help you learn more about the program, and offer ideas on how to best support the health of our lake.

LakeSmart Start
Due to the pandemic, LakeSmart visits are postponed until guidelines allow us to do so. Meanwhile, this simple do-it-yourself questionnaire will help you gauge how well your home helps protect Pushaw Lake:  LS Start Assessment 5.4.20. As you’ll see, most questions focus on managing stormwater. Your answers will help you identify ways to protect lake water quality, wildlife habitat, and the value of your home. The survey may also lead you to see your lakeside home in an entirely new way.
 
Then, let us know if you would like to schedule a future visit by contacting us at pushawlakesmart@gmail.com Our trained volunteers will not only walk your property with you and suggest ways to protect the lake;  you will also receive a written personalized summary of your property with recommendations and resources specific to your waterfront. What you do after that is completely up to you; LakeSmart is free, non-regulatory and carries no obligations.
 
Perhaps your property is already LakeSmart? In that case, you are eligible for an award. Did you know that lakes are so important to Maine that we have special laws to protect them? LakeSmart also helps you stay on the right side of those important laws. Thank you for helping protect Pushaw Lake! 

Suggested Links​:

​Maine Lakes Society has provided GPLA with the following LakeSmart materials: ​Other Online Resources Press Coverage
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Algae Bloom at Sandy Cove noted on July 13, 2017. Photo Credit: Jim Krenzer
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GPLA LakeSmart Team: Left to right: Screener Barbara Pinto-Maurer, Coordinator Carolyn Eaton, Screener Rich Dressler, Screener Sandi Duchesne. Credit: Maggie Shannon, LakeSmart Trainer
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"Our efforts to make our property on Pushaw Lake more lake-friendly were recognized by the LakeSmart program implemented by the Greater Pushaw Lake Association. We completed measures to reduce soil runoff around our camp which included stabilizing areas of water flow from our camp roof, out buildings and driveway, as well as the ditch carrying water from across Beechwood Ave to the lake; and, improving our lake-side buffer. We were very proud to receive our LakeSmart award and signs." --- Dorli and Lou Cloutier