Moose Pond, located in Bridgton, Sweden and Denmark, passes by the foot of the Pleasant Mountain range and is a favorite spot for many anglers, boaters and swimmers. The causeway that now separates the north basin from the main basin was once a low wooden bridge on top of pine cribbing, which was built by cutting holes through the ice in the winter of 1834.
Moose Pond is divided into three distinct basins. The upper and lower basins both experience low dissolved oxygen concentrations in the deeper waters, which provides little habitat for coldwater fish species. Although oxygen depletion often limits summer habitat, the middle basin is managed primarily for landlocked salmon and lake trout. The pond also supports populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white perch, chain pickerel, hornpout, rainbow smelt, white sucker, fallfish, golden shiners, pumpkinseed sunfish and slimy sculpin.
South Basin: The average Secchi disk reading for 2020 was 6.45 meters, fell into the moderately clear range, and was shallower than the long-term average of 6.54 meters. The average total phosphorus reading of 6.63 ppb fell into the moderate range and was higher than the long-term average of 6.31 ppb. The average deep water phosphorus value was not significantly above surface water phosphorus values, which suggests phosphors recycling is not problematic. The chlorophyll-a average of 3.00 ppb fell into the moderate range and was higher than the long-term average of 2.86 ppb. Long-term trend analysis indicates chlorophyll–a concentrations are stable, total phosphorus concentrations are stable, and clarity readings are stable. This trend analysis is based on our 6-year long dataset and may not accurately represent long-term trends; however, trend analysis will be more precise as our dataset grows. The average color reading for 2020 was 14.13 SPU, indicating that water in Moose Pond’s south basin is moderately colored. Suitable coldwater fish habitat was present for a few weeks in June, but warming water temperatures and decreasing deep water oxygen concentrations resulted in unsuitable coldwater fish habitat during July through September.
Main Basin: The average Secchi disk reading for 2020 was 7.38 meters, fell into the high clarity range and was shallower than the long-term average of 7.44 meters. The average total phosphorus reading of 5.00 ppb fell into the moderate range and was slightly less than the long-term average of 5.72 ppb. The average deep water phosphorus value was not significantly above surface water phosphorus values, which suggests phosphors recycling is not problematic. The chlorophyll-a average of 2.5 ppb fell into the moderate range and was less than the long-term average of 2.90 ppb. Long-term trend analysis indicates chlorophyll–a concentrations in Moose Pond’s main basin are decreasing, total phosphorus concentrations are decreasing, and clarity readings are stable. The average color reading for 2020 was 14.63 SPU, indicating that water in Moose Pond’s main basin is moderately colored. Suitable coldwater fish habitat was present from June through August. As water temperatures warmed and deep water oxygen was consumed, coldwater fish habitat transitioned into marginal habitat in September.
North Basin: The average Secchi disk reading for 2020 was 4.54 meters, fell into the moderately clear range, and was shallower than the long-term average of 5.05 meters. The average total phosphorus reading of 9.50 ppb fell into the moderate range and was higher than the long-term average of 9.32 ppb. The average deep water phosphorus value was significantly higher than surface water phosphorus values, which suggests phosphorus recycling may be an issue. The chlorophyll-a average of 5.10 ppb fell into the moderate range and was higher than the long-term average of 3.97 ppb. Long-term trend analysis indicates chlorophyll–a concentrations are stable, total phosphorus concentrations are stable, and clarity readings are stable. The average color reading for 2020 was 17.50 SPU, indicating that water in Moose Pond’s north basin is moderately colored. Suitable coldwater fish habitat was present for a few weeks in June but became unsuitable by July and remained that way through September.
Main Basin 2020 Quick Stats
Moose Pond main basin surface water chlorophyll, phosphorus, and Secchi depth data summary. Colored boxes represent the long-term range of values, from minimum to maximum, obtained on Moose Pond’s main basin. The line represents the long-term average value and the dot represents 2020’s average value. The small red dots represent individual readings taken in 2020.
2020 Average vs. Long-term Average
Clarity: The average Secchi disk reading for 2020 was 7.38 meters, fell into the high clarity range and was shallower than the long-term average of 7.44 meters.
Chlorophyll: The chlorophyll-a average of 2.5 ppb fell into the moderate range and was less than the long-term average of 2.90 ppb.
Phosphorus: The average total phosphorus reading of 5.00 ppb fell into the moderate range and was slightly less than the long-term average of 5.72 ppb.
North Basin 2020 Quick Stats
Moose Pond’s north basin surface water chlorophyll, phosphorus, and Secchi depth data summary Colored boxes represent the long-term range of values, from minimum to maximum, obtained on Moose Pond’s north basin. The line represents the long-term average value and the dot represents 2020’s average value. The small red dots represent individual readings taken in 2020.
2019 Average vs. Long-term Average
Clarity: The average Secchi disk reading for 2020 was 4.54 meters, fell into the moderately clear range, and was shallower than the long-term average of 5.05 meters.
Chlorophyll: The chlorophyll-a average of 5.10 ppb fell into the moderate range and was higher than the long-term average of 3.97 ppb.
Phosphorus: The average total phosphorus reading of 9.50 ppb fell into the moderate range and was higher than the long-term average of 9.32 ppb.
South Basin 2020 Quick Stats
Moose Pond’s south basin surface water chlorophyll, phosphorus, and Secchi depth data summary Colored boxes represent the long-term range of values, from minimum to maximum, obtained on Moose Pond’s south basin. The line represents the long-term average value and the dot represents 2020’s average value. The small red dots represent individual readings taken in 2020.
2020 Average vs. Long-term Average
Clarity: The average Secchi disk reading for 2020 was 6.45 meters, fell into the moderately clear range, and was shallower than the long-term average of 6.54 meters.
Chlorophyll: The chlorophyll-a average of 3.00 ppb fell into the moderate range and was higher than the long-term average of 2.86 ppb.
Phosphorus: The average total phosphorus reading of 6.63 ppb fell into the moderate range and was higher than the long-term average of 6.31 ppb.
In the spring of 2010, LEA worked with the Moose Pond Association and Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District to conduct a survey of erosion sites within the pond’s 11,170 acre watershed. As part of the project, volunteers and technical staff identified 178 erosion sites that are having negative impacts on the pond. Most of the sites documented were small but the cumulative impact of all these sites is substantial. The report includes a brief description, location information and recommendations on how to correct each problem. In addition to documenting erosion, the project served as an educational tool for citizens to learn about water quality and how our activities affect ponds and lakes. To view a copy of the recent survey click on: Moose Pond Watershed Survey. From 2012-2014, LEA worked on a much larger implementation project within the watershed to correct the worst problems that were identified during the survey. For more information about this aspect of the project, call LEA at 647-8580
12 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.
12 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.
52 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.
3 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.
8 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 13 percent of the watershed is taken up by the pond.
