WEST HARBOR POND
WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
PRESERVING AND PROTECTING WATER AND WILDLIFE
IN THE HEART OF THE BOOTHBAY PENINSULA
WEST HARBOR POND NEWS ARCHIVE​
Filling in the Old Siphon
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One of the most important News areas for West Harbor Pond in recent years has been the funding and development of the new Pond siphon. The new siphon replaced the Pond's original siphon from 1880 that had failed and was essentially not repairable. Since the time of that failure the old siphon has been allowing occasional salt water to splash into the Pond. The WHPWA worked with the Town of Boothbay Harbor and the Maine DOT to eliminate this problem. For the details of how the fill-in was accomplished, see Merritt Blakeslee's Boothbay Register article on the subject.
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For much more news and information about the siphon, click here to go to the Siphon page.
A native Asian bird makes a visit to West Harbor Pond -
The Steller's Sea Eagle
January 2022 brought winter weather to West Harbor Pond, and with it a Steller's Sea Eagle, a large bird native to coastal northeastern Asia that is rarely seen in the western hemisphere, according to numerous sources. Its visit to the Boothbay Harbor area and West Harbor Pond continued through at least January 16th. Many bird watchers flocked to the area to see this rare bird. For more information see the article in the Boothbay Register and the daily log posted by Maine Audobon.
Images Courtesy of Jodi Lynne Photography, Massachusetts
Watershed Survey Report Completed (WHPWA, March 7, 2019)
The WHPWA conducted a Watershed Survey on June 6, 2018 in partnership with the Boothbay Region Water District, Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District, Boothbay Region Land Trust, Boothbay Harbor Sewer District, Lake Stewards of Maine (formerly Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program), the Town of Boothbay Harbor and Maine DEP.
After many months of analyzing data and photographs collected during the watershed survey, the WHP Watershed Survey Report is complete. The primary goals of the 2018 West Harbor Pond Watershed Survey were to:
• Identify existing sources of soil erosion sites in the West Harbor Pond Watershed
• Raise public awareness about the connection between land use and water quality, and the impact of soil erosion on West Harbor Pond
• Inspire people to become active watershed stewards
• Make general recommendations to landowners for fixing erosion problems on their properties
Volunteers and technical leaders identified 20 erosion sites in the West Harbor Pond watershed that are currently impacting or have the potential to impact water quality in West Harbor Pond. Surveyors documented the type, size and severity of each erosion site.
The Watershed Survey Report summarizes the findings of the survey and offers information and recommendations that all watershed property owners should find useful in helping to improve the water quality of West Harbor Pond.
The WHPWA gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance received through a generous grant from Lake Stewards of Maine (formerly Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program).
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Notes from the WHPWA Annual Meeting (2021)
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A well-attended Annual Meeting was held on August 8th 2021 both to carry out the organization's regular business and as an outdoor social activity for the WHPWA membership. The notes from this meeting can be read here.
"Do Not Anchor" Sign
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The Maine DOT gave its permission to erect a “Do Not Anchor” sign on the bank of the Highway 27 causeway above the point where the harborside siphon pipe enters the harbor. The Boothbay Harbor Department of Public Works kindly undertook to install the sign in early November, 2021. This sign is the counterpart to the seasonal, floating “Do Not Anchor” sign installed during the summer months just beyond the outfall of the siphon.
Herbicide Spraying Stopped Near West Harbor Pond
Through the good offices of Judy Kildow, the newest member of the Board of Directors, and Julia Latter, Boothbay Harbor Town Manager, the Maine Department of Transportation has agreed to curtail seasonal herbicide spraying adjacent to the Pond along Route 27 and Lakeside Drive.
© 2025 by West Harbor Pond Watershed Association.
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