Pickerel Pond in Denmark is relatively shallow, with undeveloped shorelines and a quiet, remote setting.
In 1960, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife introduced largemouth bass to improve fishing opportunities on the pond. The bass have established and provide good fishing. Pickerel and perch are also readily caught and provide some variety for the angler. Also present are white suckers, hornpout (bullhead), pumpkinseed sunfish, minnows, American eel and golden shiners.
Pickerel Pond is sampled by LEA once per year in August. The long-term average reflects data from 1996 to 2020. The Secchi disk reading for 2020 was 4.10 meters, fell into the moderate clarity range, and was shallower than the long-term average of 5.15 meters. The Secchi disk did hit the bottom, indicating that Secchi depth is not a reliable indicator of water clarity. The total phosphorus reading of 5.00 ppb fell into the moderate range and less than the long-term average of 6.83. The chlorophyll-a reading of 4.00 ppb fell into the moderate range and was higher than the long-term average of 2.75 ppb. Long-term trend analysis indicates chlorophyll–a concentrations are stable and total phosphorus concentrations are increasing. The color reading for 2020 was 30.00 SPU, indicating that water in Pickerel Pond is highly colored.
Pickerel Pond’s 2020 Quick Stats
Pickerel 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 Pickerel Pond. The line represents the long-term average value and the dot represents 2020’s average value.
49 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.
4 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.
7 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.
16 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 5 percent of the watershed is taken up by the pond.
