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The Friends of Worthley Pond first heard about the LakeSmart Program in 2008. Several members were organizing a boat inspection program for the pond and discussions encouraged us to also look at the LakeSmart Program. After some investigation, we decided to participate in this program.

LakeSmart has taught/shown us how to manage and landscape the properties around the pond by minimizing soil erosion and water runoff into the pond, keeping out unwanted plant life, and containing contaminants like phosphorus, which is a natural fertilizer that promotes algae blooms.

The Friends of Worthley Pond has partnered with Michele Windsor from the Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District, to help its members/property owners know what needs to be done to get their land certified as a “LakeSmart property” (see LakeSmart Property Evaluation form for details).

In 2017, Worthley Pond was recognized with the LakeSmart Gold Award twice – once by the Maine Lakes Society and the second by Oxford Soil and Water Conservation District – because 15% of our 241+ shore land owners are LakeSmart certified. But, there are still approximately 100 property owners who are being encouraged to participate in the LakeSmart Program . . . all for the good of the pond!

In June 2022, Michele met with Yueying and Bill LaFleur to create a LakeSmart plan that their family could work on together.  By the end of August, they had made great progress on some of their LakeSmart plan items.  See their August 2022 Progress Report (including pictures!) for details.  They also acknowledged that the remaining plan items would need to be done bit by bit, as time allows, during future summer seasons.  “It’s important to realize that there is no ‘time limit’ for making the alterations necessary to become LakeSmart compliant. One can move at one’s own pace. I recommend making a list of things to do and trying to knock off a few at a time. In our case we’re hoping to get everything done in one or two years,” says Bill LaFleur.

Over the years, Michele has defined numerous plans for members, distributed handouts showing what needs to be done, answered questions as needed and does the final LakeSmart evaluation before awarding two signs to put on qualified properties. As of July 2022, she has prepared over 150 plans and awarded the LakeSmart designation to 56 properties around the pond.   Congratulations everyone!!

Each year, Worthley Pond’s water quality improves and is consistently measured at “above average” by the State of Maine.  LakeSmart is one of the programs that helps us to improve the water quality.

How can you help preserve and protect Worthley Pond?

  1. If you are a first-time LakeSmart applicant please complete the homeowner questionnaire and send it and relevant photos to Dave Davis or Bill LaFleur.  If you already have a LakeSmart plan, please make this the year you complete it. If you have questions, please let Dave or Bill know.
  2. If you have been working on your property and think that you have incorporated the improvement recommendations identified in your plan, please contact Dave or Bill for a final evaluation and become a proud LakeSmart property with your own signs.
  3. If you are already LakeSmart certified, please talk with your neighbors who aren’t yet certified and encourage them to contact Dave or Bill to get started.

LakeSmart is a great way to improve and maintain Worthley Pond’s water quality.  Please do your part and get/stay involved.  Thanks!! 

Questions?  Please contact Dave Davis (207.562.7186) or Bill LaFleur (207.251.2007)

Additional Resources:

Quotes from Landowners about the LakeSmart Program:

“Once I started I was motivated to complete the last step.”

“I was worried about increasing my buffer with plants and losing my view….but Michele suggested low shrubs and now I have flowers and Maine BLUEBERRIES and I’m keeping most of the runoff out of the pond while maintaining my view.”

“Mumma Bass who has her bed beside my dock tells me every year how much she appreciates having less silt to keep off her nest since I improved our land.”

“Since I put borders along my walking paths I do not have to rake the gravel off my lawn and replace it. Several other great ideas.”

“Soon after completing my plan and being certified, we had a monsoon storm that raised havoc with several camp roads around the pond. At the height of the storm, I walked my 150 feet of shore frontage that is steep and has ledges. I saw no water entering the pond.  LAKESMART DOES WORK!”

“I knew I was doing things to my camp lot so I would not lose soil in the pond. Michele came and started a plan but quickly said you have done great and immediately qualified my property as LakeSmart certified. Left me with a couple of “To Do” items which are now done.”

“I have a sense of pride in being LakeSmart certified.”

“This is important to me to preserve my property on Worthley Pond for my grandchildren to use.”

“I felt relaxed doing this as it made sense and could be done at my leisure.”

“Michele was easy to understand so I’m following her plan. She came back twice to answer questions.”

“I told Michele when I finally got my sign, Longfellow Gardens and my chiropractor thank you.”

“When I got my sign others started asking me about LakeSmart.”