The Five Kezars, located in Waterford, Stoneham and Lovell, include Jewett Pond, Back Pond, Middle Pond, Mud Pond and Little Mud Pond. The Kezars are said to be named after an early hunter of the same name who frequented them as well as Kezar Pond in Fryeburg and Kezar Lake in Lovell.
The Five Kezars are suited primarily for a warm water fishery. Low oxygen conditions in the deep, cool waters of the Five Kezars severely limit the habitat for coldwater fish in the summer months. Back Pond is the exception, with most of its water column remaining fairly well oxygenated throughout the year. The ponds contain smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, golden shiner, hornpout and pumpkinseed sunfish. Back Pond is stocked annually with brook trout.
Back Pond: The average Secchi disk reading for 2019 was 6.96 meters, fell into the moderately clear range, and was deeper than the long-term average of 6.53 meters. The average total phosphorus reading of 5.88 ppb fell into the moderate range and was slightly less than the long-term average of 5.9 ppb. Deep water phosphorus values reached into the high range. The chlorophyll-a average of 1.38 ppb fell into the moderate range and was higher than the long-term average of 2.05 ppb. Long-term trend analysis indicates chlorophyll–a concentrations in Back Pond are stable, total phosphorus concentrations are decreasing, and clarity readings are increasing. The average color reading for 2019 was 18.38 SPU, indicating that water in Back Pond is moderately colored. Suitable fish habitat was present through November, however low oxygen conditions were present in deep water from July through November.
Jewett Pond: Jewett Pond is sampled by LEA once per year in August. The long-term average reflects data from 1997 to 2019. The Secchi disk reading for 2019 was 3.71 meters, fell into the moderately clear range, and was less than the long-term average of 4.28 meters. The total phosphorus reading of 14.00 ppb fell into the high range and was higher than the long-term average of 9.72 ppb. The chlorophyll-a reading of 3.00 ppb fell into the moderate range and was less than the long-term average of 5.25 ppb. The color reading for 2019 was 40 SPU, indicating that water in Jewett Pond is highly colored.
Little Mud Pond: Little Mud Pond is sampled by LEA once per year in August. The long-term average reflects data from 1997 to 2019. The Secchi disk reading for 2019 was 1.80 meters, fell into the low clarity range, and was shallower than the long-term average of 2.86 meters. The total phosphorus reading of 22.00 ppb fell into the very high range and was not significantly different than the long-term average of 22.11 ppb. The chlorophyll-a reading of 7.00 ppb fell into the moderate range and was not significantly different than the long-term average of 7.75 ppb. The color reading for 2019 was 100 SPU, indicating that water in Little Mud Pond is very highly colored.
Middle Pond: The average Secchi disk reading for 2019 was 5.57 meters, fell into the moderately clear range, and was deeper than the long-term average of 5.36 meters. The average total phosphorus reading of 7.14 ppb fell into the moderate range and was less than the long-term average of 7.70 ppb. Deep water phosphorus values did reach into the high range. The chlorophyll-a average of 1.86 ppb fell into the low range and was less than the long-term average of 3.63 ppb. Long-term trend analysis indicates chlorophyll–a concentrations in Middle Pond are decreasing, total phosphorus concentrations are stable, and clarity readings are increasing. The average color reading for 2019 was 27.57 SPU, indicating that water in Middle Pond is highly colored. Suitable fish habitat was present into July, became unsuitable in mid-July and through August before becoming suitable again in September.
Mud Pond: Mud Pond is sampled by LEA once per year in August. The long-term average reflects data from 1997 to 2019. The Secchi disk reading for 2019 was 2.86 meters, fell into the low clarity range, and was shallower than the long-term average of 3.43 meters. The total phosphorus reading of 14.00 ppb fell into the high range and was higher than the long-term average of 11.76 ppb. The chlorophyll-a reading of 4.00 ppb fell into the moderate range and was less than the long-term average of 5.09 ppb. The color reading for 2019 was 71 SPU, indicating that water in Mud Pond is very highly colored.
Back Pond’s 2019 Quick Stats
Back Pond surface water chlorophyll, phosphorus, and Secchi depth data summary. Colored boxes represent the long-term range of values, from minimum to maximum, obtained on Back Pond. The line represents the long-term average value obtained, and the large dot represents 2019’s average value. The small red dots represent individual readings taken in 2019.
Back Pond 2019 Average vs. Long Term Average
Clarity: The average Secchi disk reading for 2019 was 6.96 meters, fell into the moderately clear range, and was deeper than the long-term average of 6.53 meters.
Chlorophyll: The chlorophyll-a average of 1.38 ppb fell into the moderate range and was higher than the long-term average of 2.05 ppb.
Phosphorus: The average total phosphorus reading of 5.88 ppb fell into the moderate range and was slightly less than the long-term average of 5.9 ppb.
Jewett Pond’s 2019 Quick Stats
Jewett Pond surface water chlorophyll, phosphorus, and Secchi depth data summary. Colored boxes represent the long-term range of values, from minimum to maximum, obtained on Jewett Pond. The line represents the long-term average value and the dot represents 2019’s average value.
Jewett Pond 2019 Reading vs. Long Term Average
Clarity: The Secchi disk reading for 2019 was 3.71 meters, fell into the moderately clear range, and was less than the long-term average of 4.28 meters.
Chlorophyll: The chlorophyll-a reading of 3.00 ppb fell into the moderate range and was less than the long-term average of 5.25 ppb.
Phosphorus: The total phosphorus reading of 14.00 ppb fell into the high range and was higher than the long-term average of 9.72 ppb.
Little Mud Pond’s 2019 Quick Stats
Little Mud Pond surface water chlorophyll, phosphorus, and Secchi depth data summary. Colored boxes represent the long-term range of values, from minimum to maximum, obtained on Little Mud Pond. The line represents the long-term average value and the dot represents 2019’s average value.
Little Mud Pond 2019 Reading vs. Long Term Average
Clarity: The Secchi disk reading for 2019 was 1.80 meters, fell into the low clarity range, and was shallower than the long-term average of 2.86 meters.
Chlorophyll: The chlorophyll-a reading of 7.00 ppb fell into the moderate range and was not significantly different than the long-term average of 7.75 ppb.
Phosphorus: The total phosphorus reading of 22.00 ppb fell into the very high range and was not significantly different than the long-term average of 22.11 ppb.
Middle Pond’s 2019 Quick Stats
Middle Pond surface water chlorophyll, phosphorus, and Secchi depth data summary. Colored boxes represent the long-term range of values, from minimum to maximum, obtained on Middle Pond. The line represents the long-term average value and the large dot represents 2019’s average value. The small red dots represent individual readings taken in 2019.
Middle Pond 2019 Average vs. Long Term Average
Clarity: The average Secchi disk reading for 2019 was 5.57 meters, fell into the moderately clear range, and was deeper than the long-term average of 5.36 meters.
Chlorophyll: The chlorophyll-a average of 1.86 ppb fell into the low range and was less than the long-term average of 3.63 ppb.
Phosphorus: The average total phosphorus reading of 7.14 ppb fell into the moderate range and was less than the long-term average of 7.70 ppb
Mud Pond’s 2019 Quick Stats
Mud Pond surface water chlorophyll, phosphorus, and Secchi depth data summary. Colored boxes represent the long-term range of values, from minimum to maximum, obtained on Mud Pond. The line represents the long-term average value and the dot represents 2019’s average value.
Mud Pond 2019 Reading vs. Long Term Average
Clarity: The Secchi disk reading for 2019 was 2.86 meters, fell into the low clarity range, and was shallower than the long-term average of 3.43 meters.
Chlorophyll: The chlorophyll-a reading of 4.00 ppb fell into the moderate range and was less than the long-term average of 5.09 ppb.
Phosphorus: The total phosphorus reading of 14.00 ppb fell into the high range and was higher than the long-term average of 11.76 ppb.
The water quality results from Back Pond for 2018 were among the best of all the lakes sampled. Clarity, surface layer phosphorus, and chlorophyll averages were all improved over the long term average values for these parameters. Trend analysis indicates that clarity and phosphorus are both improving over time on Back Pond. Despite having the lowest average chlorophyll of all lakes in 2018, there is still an increasing trend for this parameter due to some higher readings in past years. The 2018 chlorophyll average was in the low range, phosphorus was moderate, and clarity was good.
Previous sediment chemistry results show Back Pond has a higher potential for internal phosphorus release due to low sediment aluminum levels. Aluminum binds with phosphorus that is released from sediments which have become anoxic (lacking in oxygen), locking it away at the bottom of the lake. The low level of aluminum on Back Pond means that if phosphorus is released from sediments, it is likely to enter the pond and contribute to algae growth. A phosphorus grab sample collected from near the bottom of the pond had a concentration of 18 ppb phosphorus, which is considered high.
In 2018, dissolved oxygen depletion affected the bottom two meters of the pond for much of the summer. This was enough to restrict coldwater fish habitat to less than 2 meters. The increasing chlorophyll trend, low sediment aluminum levels, high deep-water phosphorus, and restricted fish habitat mean that Back Pond is more vulnerable than many other lakes and remains in LEA’s HIGH degree of concern category.
Back Pond 2018 average vs. long-term average:
Clarity: Better at 7.66 meters
Chlorophyll: Better at 1.6 ppb
Phosphorous: Better at 5.3 ppb
Trend analysis indicates clarity and chlorophyll are improving over time on Middle Pond. Upper-layer phosphorus concentrations are stable over time on Middle Pond. All three parameters were improved over their long-term averages in 2018. Middle Pond’s chlorophyll average was in the low range of values and was the lowest average of all the lakes sampled. Clarity and upper layer phosphorus averages were moderate in 2018.
The main water quality concerns in Middle Pond are oxygen depletion, high deep-water phosphorus levels, and a lack of coldwater fish habitat during a short period in late summer. All of these issues are interconnected: low oxygen levels exclude coldwater fish and can also induce sediments to release phosphorus, which raises levels of this nutrient in the deeper waters. Because of these three issues, Middle Pond is in LEA’s MODERATE/HIGH degree of concern category.
Middle Pond 2018 average vs. long-term average:
Clarity: Better at 6.94 meters
Chlorophyll: Better at 1.60 ppb
Phosphorous: Better at 7.13 ppb
Water quality in Jewett Pond is measured once a year in August. Trend analysis indicates that clarity, chlorophyll, and phosphorus are all stable. Compared to long-term averages, 2018 measurements showed improvement over long-term averages. Values for clarity and surface-layer phosphorus were within the moderate range, while chlorophyll was in the low range.
Jewett Pond’s main water quality concerns are severe oxygen depletion and very high phosphorus levels in the deeper waters of the pond. Both of these issues are illustrated in the graph below. Because of the shape of the pond, there is a relatively small volume of water in the deeper reaches, which means that oxygen is rapidly used up and not easily replenished. This lack of oxygen can cause sediments to release phosphorus, which accounts for the high phosphorus readings in Jewett Pond, especially near the bottom. These two water quality issues are the basis for Jewett Pond’s MODERATE degree of concern rating.
Jewett Pond 2018 average vs. long-term average:
Clarity: Better at 4.74 meters
Chlorophyll: Better at 2.0 ppb
Phosphorous: Better at 9.0 ppb
LEA conducts water testing on Mud Pond once per year. Trend analysis indicates that clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll are all stable. In 2018, all three readings were in the moderate range and were much improved over long-term averages.
The main water quality issue present on Mud Pond is dissolved oxygen depletion. It was very pronounced at the time of sampling, affecting the bottom 8 meters of the 10-meter-deep pond. This is because most of the pond is shallow and only a small volume of water is contained within the deep part of the pond. This limits the volume of oxygen available and makes it hard for wind to mix air into the deeper waters. Mud Pond is in LEA’s AVERAGE degree of concern category.
Mud Pond 2018 average vs. long-term average:
Clarity: Better at 4.25 meters
Chlorophyll: Better at 2.0 ppb
Phosphorous: Better at 6.0 ppb
Little Mud Pond is the second basin of Mud Pond, and one of the Five Kezar Ponds. LEA collects water quality data on Little Mud once a year in August. Trend analysis indicates clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll are all stable over time. The pond had poor clarity in 2018 which was also worse than the long-term average. Phosphorus and chlorophyll were both improved over their long-term averages and both were in the moderate range of values.
The deeper waters of the pond suffered from dissolved oxygen depletion at the time of testing. Much of the pond’s water quality is due to the large wetland complex associated with it, which causes the low clarity and high phosphorus readings. Little Mud Pond is in LEA’s AVERAGE degree of concern category.
Little Mud Pond 2018 average vs. long-term average:
Clarity: Worse at 2.20 meters
Chlorophyll: Better at 5.0 ppb
Phosphorous: Better at 11.0 ppb
20 percent of soils in the watershed are type A soils. Type A soils tend to be well drained sands, loams, and gravels. When vegetation is removed and the soil is exposed they can be susceptible to erosion. Because they are often coarse with ample pore space, there is low runoff potential and water will not usually pool on them. These soils can be good places to site leach fields or infiltrate stormwater from a home or residence.
19 percent of soils in the watershed are type B soils. B soils have moderate infiltration rates and fine to moderate texture and soil size. They are usually made up silts and loams. Although not as well drained as A soils, they can also be good places to site leach fields and infiltrate stormwater.
37 percent of soils in the watershed are type C soils. C soils have low infiltration rates and typically have a layer that impedes the movement of water. These soils are made of sands, clays, and loams and are one of the most common soil types in western Maine.
4 percent of soils in the watershed are type D soils. D soils have a high runoff potential and very low infiltration rates. Soils with a high water table, clay or other impervious layer near the surface are typically D soils. These soils are often associated with wetlands.
13 percent of soils in the watershed are type C/D soils. C/D soils are a mix of these two soil types. They have fairly high runoff potential and low infiltration rates and often pool water.
The remaining 7 percent of the watershed is taken up by the ponds.
