Sweezey Lake Facts and Conservation


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In view of the recent building activity around the lake, it is critically important that everyone who uses Sweezey Lake be aware of the effects that we humans have on its ecology. It is particularly important for homeowners with lakefront property to know what effects their living patterns have on the quality of water and the health of the lake area in general.

The Importance of the "Watershed"

A watershed consists of all the land that deposits water into a lake. It involves far more that just the shoreline. As we know, the large hillside of Sweezey’s eastern shoreline is rather substantial and provides the typography for the artesian wells that surround the lake. These wells feed the lake with cool fresh water, but this water can also include the residue that we humans deposit into the soil above. Additionally, any water falling on and around this hillside flows, by gravity, in streams and groundwater into the lake. Any substance within the watershed which can be transported by water eventually reaches the lake and affects water quality. It is not only shoreline use; it’s activities anywhere within a lake's watershed that affect the water.

Does any of this stuff belong to you?


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Late last summer, we spent a few hours in the north wetland area of Sweezey Lake doing a little trash pick-up. Shown on the right is just a portion of the items collected. For the well-being of the lake and for the safety of your family and friends, please do your part to keep our lake clean and trash-free. We’re sure the birds, fish, turtles, frogs, and other critters also would appreciate your efforts.

Protecting Our Lake

There are a number of things we can do to protect our lake and the creatures that inhabit it. And those creatures include us! So here are some "Do’s & Don’ts" of Lake and Watershed Protection.

The "Do" List

• Leave the shoreline alone. Disturbing the first 18 inches, both in the water and on the shore, is especially damaging to the ecosystem of the lake. This area contains the highest concentration of life in and around the lake.
• Maintain your boat engines. Gas and oil do not simply evaporate away. Remember this when you are filling your tank and bailing your boat.
• Maintain your septic system in good working order. It's a good idea to empty the cottage system every few years.
• Evaluate and remedy, if necessary, any sources of contamination stored on your property. This includes rusted paint cans, old metal gas tanks and oil tanks, and old piles of shingles.
• Recycle your garbage.
• Use non-phosphate detergents in and around your cottage.
• Seed and mulch bare soil within one week of clearing.
• Use fertilizers sparingly.
• Use chemicals as a last resort. Seek the least hazardous product to accomplish the job, and purchase the smallest amounts needed. Follow directions carefully and store hazardous materials in a contained area.
• Pick up pet waste and dispose of it in the garbage or toilet.
• When boating, bring back what you take out.
• Repair, paint and maintain boats in dry dock.
• When leaving a lake or river, remove any visible aquatic vegetation (weeds) from the boat propeller, anchor, lines and trailer. Discard that material in a trash container.

The "Don’t" List

• Don't wash, shave or brush your teeth in the lake. That includes using biodegradable soap. All soap products fertilize the lake, thereby promoting weed growth and oxygen depletion.
• Don't discard any "grey" water into the lake – be it dishwater, a pail of dirty water from washing floors, soap water from ski harnesses, etc.
• Don't cut or pull out aquatic weeds. This promotes further growth. Small bits of weeds can re-seed easily.
• Don't throw anything in the lake. This includes cigarette butts, leftover drinks in bottles, food, etc.
• Don't urinate in or near the lake. Aside from the hygiene problem, human urine contains the highest know source of auxins, a powerful plant growth hormone.
• Don't use surface fertilizers that will run off into the lake when it rains.
• Don't put leaves, branches or other organic matter into the lake.
• Don't wash cars near the lake. In fact, don't wash anything in or near the lake.
• Don't dump motor oil, paint thinners or old gas on the ground.
• Don't release aquatic bait into the water.
• Don't feed waterfowl.
• Don't use commercial products that claim to clean your septic tank without pumping.
• Don't build sand beaches as sand contains phosphorous.

Have I missed anything?
Please feel free to email your conservation tips to Michael Sarnacki.

Special thanks to the Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission and the York County Soil and Water Conservation District for some of the information presented above.

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