- Home
- Departments
- Planning
- Windham's Water
Windham's Water
Welcome to Windham's Water World!
Our Town is a beautiful place to visit and live and most would agree that this is due to the area’s crystal-clear streams, rivers, and lakes. Windham has over 30 significant waterbodies that provide immeasurable benefits including recreation opportunities (boating, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, ice skating), high property values, and tourism funding. Our clean waters help support wildlife, agriculture, and forestry and for many are a source of tranquility and relaxation. However, keeping Windham's waters clean takes a village or more specifically, a watershed!
A watershed is a drainage area on the landscape where all the waters within that system flow to a single body of water.
Therefore, when rainwater, also referred to as stormwater, hits the earth, it either soaks into the ground or runs over its surface until it reaches the surface water in that drainage area. If the stormwater stayed clean, there would be little concern for Windham's water. However, in many cases, where the water crosses agricultural and developed areas, it picks up pollutants (soil particles, nutrients from fertilizers, bacteria from feces, etc.). These pollutants can be carried all the way to a waterbody no matter where it originates in the watershed.
Use the dropdown menus below to learn about the waterbodies within Windham's watersheds, including fun facts and what is being done to protect these resources.
Map Legend | |
---|---|
Blue lines | River, Streams & Tributaries |
Blue areas | Lakes & Ponds |
Red boundaries with different fill colors | Watersheds |
Black dashed boundary | Town Line |
Gray lines | Roads |
Lake & Pond Watersheds
Watershed Fun Facts
Chaffin Pond
- Considered part of Outlet Brook, which flows under Route 302 into Sebago Lake Basin. Sebago Lake Basin flows into Presumpscot River which outlets into Casco Bay.
- 13-acre pond with 0.6 miles of shoreline, but the exact depth is unknown.
- Listed by Maine DEP as a 'Lake Most at Risk from Development'.
- Can be accessed within the Donnabeth Lipman Park off Route 302 next to the Sherwin Williams paint store.
- Popular ice fishing spot stocked with brook trout each fall.
Pettingill Pond
- Located across from Seacoast Adventure on Route 302 in North Windham.
- Flows under Anglers Road into Chaffin Pond which then flows under Route 302 via Outlet Brook into Sebago Lake Basin. Sebago Lake Basin flows into Presumpscot River which outlets into Casco Bay.
- 43-acre pond with 1.9 miles of shoreline.
- Heavily developed shoreline and area.
- Mean depth of 12 feet (max depth 29 feet).
- Moderately productive lake with an average Secchi disk reading around 6 meters.
- Evidence of internal phosphorus loading occurring.
- Listed by Maine DEP as a 'Lake Most at Risk from Development'.
- Unmarked public access off Anglers Road yet no parking available.
- Heavily stocked with brown trout.
Watershed Update
Chaffin Pond, which flows into Sebago Lake’s Basin, is on the State of Maine’s list as being a waterbody 'Most at Risk from New Development'. Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District and Portland Water District both provide water quality protection assistance to landowners upon request.
Watershed Fun Facts
- Also known as Goose Pond.
- A 210-acre lake with a 3-square mile watershed located in the Towns of Windham, Gray, and Cumberland.
- Over 4 miles of shoreline; mean depth 12 feet, max depth is 38 feet.
- Flows into the Piscataqua River which flows into Presumpscot River which outlets into Casco Bay.
- On Maine DEP’s list of “Lakes Most at Risk from Development” and “Nonpoint Source Priority Watershed” due to water quality sensitivity.
- Since 2002 Forest Lake Association, CCSWCD, and Maine DEP have collaborated to address the watershed's nonpoint sources of pollution through a series of federal grant funds and local cash and in-kind match. To date, nearly 40 high-priority sites have been addressed resulting in over 80 tons of sediment from continuing to enter Forest Lake each year.
- Current efforts are underway to continue remediation and stewardship efforts following the guidance of the lake’s 2018-2028 watershed protection plan.
- Biggest goal for the watershed is to reduce the amount of phosphorus (typically carried by erosion/sediment) from washing into the lake.
Watershed Update
The Town shares Forest Lake with the towns of Gray and Cumberland. Forest Lake is listed by the State as a waterbody “Most at Risk from New Development” and as a high priority with its water quality being considered threatened. The Town is currently working with Forest Lake Association, Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the towns of Gray and Cumberland, and residents to protect the lake’s water quality in implementing the 2018-2028 Forest Lake Watershed Protection Plan.
Watershed Fun Facts
- A 623-acre lake with an average depth of 22 feet and a maximum depth of 67 feet, originally known as Duck Pond. Little Duck Pond is a 34-acre waterbody with an average depth of 9 feet located to the north of Highland Lake that drains into the lake through McIntosh Brook.
- Watershed is 8.5 square miles, located primarily within Windham and Falmouth.
- Watershed contains state-listed habitat for the endangered Eastern Box turtle and a habitat suitable to support the endangered long-eared bat and small whorled pogonia.
- Have established a self-sustaining alewife population in the past 5 years.
- Fed by springs and streams with approximately 12 major tributaries flowing into the lake.
- Flows into Mill Brook in Westbrook which flows into Presumpscot River which outlets into Casco Bay.
- Heavily developed along its 7 miles of shoreline.
- On Maine DEP’s list of “Lakes at Risk of Having an Algal Bloom”, “Lakes Most at Risk from Development”, and “Nonpoint Source Priority Watershed” due to water quality sensitivity.
- Public hand-carry boat launch with a parking lot in Falmouth off of Lowell Farm Road.
- Class GPA waterbody that was impaired from 1990-2010 for Secchi disk readings; Picocyanobacteria blooms in recent years have caused increased water quality concerns and protection efforts.
- Has one of the most extensive water quality data sets in the State with thousands of Secchi disc readings and hundreds of lab assays having been taken since the 1970s. Data collected has shown declining water quality over the past 40 years with overall phosphorus levels gradually increasing.
- Extensive efforts have been conducted over the past 25 years primarily to document and improve water quality problem sites through federal grant projects, lake association dedication, and municipal contributions of funding and in-kind support. These programs have provided technical assistance to over 300 parcels and installed 179 practices at 45 private and public roads and 51 residential property sites reducing pollutant load by nearly 300 tons of sediment each year.
- Current efforts have included creating an updated 2022-2032 Watershed Management Plan and implementing it under the direction of the Highland Lake Leadership Team formed in 2017 and comprised of the Towns of Falmouth and Windham, and Highland Lake Association, with support from CCSWCD, Maine DEP, and local community members.
- Biggest goal for the watershed is to reduce the amount of phosphorus (typically carried by erosion/sediment) from washing into the lake.
Watershed Update
Highland Lake is shared between the towns of Windham and Falmouth and outlets into Mill Brook in Westbrook. Highland Lake is listed by the State as a waterbody “Most at Risk from New Development” and is a high-priority threatened lake having been previously impaired from 1990-2010 for decreasing water clarity. The Highland Lake Leadership Team has been formed with appointed members from the towns of Windham and Falmouth and the Highland Lake Association to help improve and protect the lake’s water quality. This Team is currently working to implement the 2020-2030 Highland Lake Watershed Management Plan to meet these goals.
Watershed Fun Facts
- Little Sebago Lake empties into Mill Pond which flows under Route 115 into Collins Pond. Collins Pond empties into Ditch Brook which flows into Pleasant River. Pleasant River flows into Presumpscot River which outlets into Casco Bay.
- Little Sebago Lake is historically connected to Sebago Lake via Outlet Brook.
- Approximately a 2,000-acre lake (3 square miles) with nearly 31 miles of shorefront (1,200 seasonal camps and year-round homes along the shoreline)
- 13 square mile watershed; Located in Windham, Gray, and Raymond
- The mean depth is 16 feet with a max depth of 52 feet.
- Confirmed variable-leaf milfoil.
- State public boat launch down Angler’s Road off of Mount Hunger Shore Road.
- A popular bass fishing lake and is also stocked with around 1,000 brown trout each fall.
- Three distinct basins: Upper, Middle, and Hunger Bay.
- On Maine DEP’s list of 'Lakes at Risk of Having an Algal Bloom', 'Lakes Most at Risk from Development', and 'Nonpoint Source Priority Watershed' due to an increase in watershed development and water quality data that indicate it is sensitive to pollution.
- NPS lake protection efforts by LSLA, CCSWCD, and MDEP since 2002 starting with a watershed survey. Today, have conducted 4 phases of 319 implementation grant projects and have a 2013 watershed protection plan slated to expire in 2023. Over 150 NPS sites have been addressed resulting in over an estimated 100 tons of sediment from entering Little Sebago Lake each year.
- Biggest concern: Reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the lake.
Watershed Update
Little Sebago Lake lies within the Towns of Windham, Gray, and Raymond. It is listed by the State as a waterbody “Most at Risk from New Development” and is a high-priority threatened lake. The waterbody’s three towns, Little Sebago Lake Association, Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection have identified and implemented numerous water quality protection and improvements over the past two decades and these entities are available to provide property owner recommendations and assistance.
Watershed Fun Fact
s
- State’s second largest lake with a total watershed including over a dozen lakes and numerous streams and rivers within 24 towns.
- The drinking water source for greater Portland, which is over 1/5 of the State’s population.
- Crooked River is its most significant tributary covering 60 miles and contributing nearly 40% of the lake’s surface water input.
- Sebago Lake has a maximum depth of 316 feet, an average depth of 107 feet, a residence time of 5.1 years, and is comprised of three bays (Jordan, Big, and Lower).
- 171 square miles of direct watershed, which includes Crooked River and the predominantly land drainage area just around Sebago Lake.
- 4 public beaches and 3 public boat launches within the direct watershed
- Biggest concern: Protecting forested land in the upper watershed supports the lake’s high-water quality yet is predominantly privately owned.
Watershed Update
Over 360 square miles of land drains into Sebago Lake, with Windham being one of 7 towns the lake resides in. Sebago Lake’s clean waters, development pressures, and use as drinking water for nearly one-fifth of the State’s population are reasons it is listed by the State as a priority waterbody “Most at Risk from New Development”. Portland Water District actively works to protect Sebago Lake’s water quality with inspections and assistance being offered by their water resources staff. Many other partners are involved in this lake’s protection including the towns, Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Lakes Environmental Association, and partners of Sebago Clean Waters. A 2020-2030 Sebago Lake Watershed Protection Plan is currently being followed to improve water quality impacts.
River Watersheds
Watershed Fun Facts
- Includes Thayer Brook which originates from Gray Meadows in Gray with many smaller tributaries and wetlands feeding the river including Wiggins Brook Allen Bog, Baker Brook, and Ditch Brook. Pleasant River flows into Presumpscot River which outlets into Casco Bay.
- Over 52 stream miles (including tributaries).
- 29 square mile watershed; Encompasses Windham and Gray.
- Has native brook trout and is a highly prized fly-fishing river in southern Maine.
- Watershed includes several known significant vernal pools, deer winter areas, and inland wading bird and waterfowl habitats. Mainstem is listed as the only habitat for the Brook Floater freshwater mussel in southern Maine. The Brook Floater is a State Threatened Species and Federal Species of Concern whose number have declined drastically in the Pleasant River over the last decade from an unknown cause.
- Pleasant River and Thayer Brook are Class B streams impaired for high E. coli numbers and low dissolved oxygen readings.
- Past remediation efforts have included an NPS watershed survey conducted in 2008 followed by the creation of the Watershed Management Plan (needing to be updated in 2023) and two phases of 319 grant projects.
- Access at various public stream crossings.
- Stocked with over 2,000 brook trout and brown trout every year.
- Concern about increased siltation and bank erosion occurring throughout the river’s corridor.
Watershed Updates
Pleasant River originates in the Town of Gray and flows through Windham and into Presumpscot River. Pleasant River is one of Windham’s five impaired waterbodies listed by the State as having impaired water quality due to low dissolved oxygen readings and high bacteria counts. The Town is working with various stakeholders, including Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, the Town of Gray, Trout Unlimited, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, and others to identify and address the sources of this River’s impairments. The Town will be seeking to work with partners to update the 2011-2021 Pleasant River Watershed Management Plan which will prioritize needed actions to improve Pleasant River’s impairments.
Watershed Fun Facts
- Presumpscot Falls was the first dam in Maine and was built in 1735.
- Presumpscot is an Abenaki word meaning “many falls”. Before dams were installed, the Presumpscot River had 12 falls.
- Largest freshwater input to Casco Bay.
- From the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, Presumpscot River was heavily polluted by untreated residential and industrial wastes that it was said to resemble a root beer float!
- Become Involved: Presumpscot River Watch, now part of the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, has been monitoring the River’s water quality for over 30 years and seeks volunteers to help survey every other Saturday from mid-May to mid-September.
- From about 1830-1870, the Cumberland and Oxford Canal followed the Presumpscot River from Sebago Lake to Casco Bay to transport goods including lumber, sail masts, barrel hoops, and firewood.
Watershed Update
Presumpscot River is an impaired waterbody that flows from Sebago Lake in Windham, through Westbrook and Portland, and into Casco Bay. This large, historic waterway is significant to Casco Bay and thus improving and protecting its waters are key to Casco Bay’s health. In 2003, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership worked with stakeholders to create a plan for Presumpscot River’s future, including water quality improvement, and protection strategies.
Stream Watersheds
Watershed Fun Facts
- Headwaters originate just north of Route 302 and the brook outlets into Presumpscot River after crossing Main Street (Route 202) in South Windham. Presumpscot River outlets into Casco Bay.
- 6 miles in length.
- Nearly 4 square mile watershed
- The watershed is mostly forested with 27% being agriculture located in the center of the watershed along Swett Road, Town Farm Road, and Pope Road.
- Can access Black Brook at public stream crossings and within the Black Brook Preserve, a 105-acre preserve off of Windham Center Road open year-round for multiple public recreational activities.
- Class B stream impaired for high E. coli numbers and low dissolved oxygen readings.
- The town of Windham is currently partnering with CCSWCD, Maine DEP, PRLT / Black Brook Preserve, and other local stakeholders to create a 10-year watershed management plan to improve the brook’s water quality in 2022.
Watershed Update
Black Brook, which flows into the Presumpscot River, lies solely in the Town of Windham. Black Brook is listed by the State as impaired due to low dissolved oxygen readings and high bacteria counts. The Town is currently working with Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, and residents to create a 10-year watershed management with steps needed to improve its waters.
Watershed Fun Facts
- Headwaters originate north Route 302 crossing Pope Road, Chute Road, and River Road just south of the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals and the Maine Correctional Center prior to entering Presumpscot River. Presumpscot River outlets into Casco Bay.
- Over 8 miles of stream with over 7 ½ square miles of watershed.
- Class B stream impaired for high E. coli numbers and low dissolved oxygen readings.
Watershed Update
Colley Wright Brook, which flows into the Presumpscot River, lies solely in the Town of Windham. Colley Wright Brook is listed by the State as impaired due to low dissolved oxygen readings and high bacteria counts. The Town is currently conducting additional water quality data to help pinpoint the causes of the Brook’s impairment.
Watershed Fun Facts
- Mill Pond and Collins Pond are dam-impounded sections of Ditch Brook. Mill Pond is located just south of Little Sebago Lake, north of Tandberg Trail (Route 115), and flows into Collins Pond after the road crossing. Ditch Brook flows south under Provost Drive and is dam-impounded again just before crossing Varney Mill Road. Ditch Brook crosses under Harriett Avenue and into Pleasant River prior to the River crossing Roosevelt Trail (Route 302). Pleasant River flows into Presumpscot River which outlets into Casco Bay.
- Mill Pond is a 16-acre pond with a 0.8-mile shoreline with variable-leaf milfoil present. Its water quality is unknown.
- Collins Pond is a 43-acre, shallow pond with a mean depth of 7 feet and a maximum depth of 18 feet best suited for warm water fisheries management. Principle fisheries include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and chain pickerel.
- The 1.8-mile shoreline is heavily developed. The pond experience periodic algal blooms and heavy growth of aquatic vegetation with variable-leaf milfoil present.
Watershed Update
Ditch Brook, including Collins Pond and Mill Pond, connects Little Sebago Lake to the Pleasant River. The Town is currently working with local partners to improve water quality along the Pleasant River which also involves maintaining the water quality of Ditch Brook.
Watershed Fun Facts
- Brook crosses Anderson Road and Batchelder Road, Jacques Lane and Aspen Lane, then River Road at Sunset Ridge Driving Range just before entering Presumpscot River. Presumpscot River outlets into Casco Bay.
- Tributaries include Milliken Brook, Small Brook, and Lincoln Weeks Brook.
- Over 4 miles of stream with a nearly 4 square mile watershed.
- The majority is located in Windham with a small portion in the Town of Westbrook.
- Class B stream impaired for high E. coli numbers and low dissolved oxygen readings.
Watershed Update
Inkhorn Brook, which flows into the Presumpscot River, is one of the Town’s five State-designated impaired waterbodies due to low dissolved oxygen reading and high bacteria counts. Inkhorn Brook and its tributaries lie solely within the Town of Windham with a small portion of land within Westbrook that drains into this Brook. The Town is currently conducting additional water quality data to help pinpoint the causes of the Brook’s impairment.
Watershed Fun Facts
- Crosses Windham Center Road and River Road (Route 202) prior to entering Presumpscot River. Presumpscot River outlets into Casco Bay.
- 2 miles in length.
- Otter Brook can be accessed at public stream crossings, within the Otter Brook Sanctuary which has 2 access points off of Rocklin Road connecting a 0.8-mile trail, and at a lookout spot for the 17-acre Pringle Wildlife Preserve on Windham Center Road.
- Class B stream impaired for high E. coli numbers and low dissolved oxygen readings.
Watershed Update
Otter Brook is a small stream that flows into the Presumpscot River and lies solely in the Town of Windham. Otter Brook is listed by the State as impaired due to low dissolved oxygen readings and high bacteria counts. The Town is currently conducting additional water quality data to help pinpoint the causes of the Brook’s impairment.