Lake Androscoggin

Lake Androscoggin (photo) is a body of water located in the towns of Wayne and Leeds, Maine. The surface area of the lake is 3826 acres. Its greatest length is 4.5 miles and its greatest width is 2.8 miles.^[2] This lake is very shallow. The mean depth is 15 feet and the maximum depth is 38 feet.^[3] Lake Androscoggin temperature is therefore quite warm during summer time, and the temperature is the same on the bottom as it is on the top, making it a homothermous body of water. There are 4 islands on the lake: Lothrop Island, Blodgett Island, Norris Island, and Androscoggin Island. Lake Androscoggin connects to the Androscoggin River via the Dead River (photo) located on the western side of the lake.^[4]

Development

Lake Androscoggin is relatively undeveloped. The towns of Wayne and Leeds have populations of less than 2500 people each.^[5] There is a public boat landing located off of Rt. 133 in Wayne. This is the only public access to the lake.^[6] Lake Androscoggin is the main water source for Camp Androscoggin, a boys' summer camp located on the lake shore and formerly located on Androscoggin Island. Another summer camp, Camp Tekakwitha, is located at the southern tip of the lake in Leeds. It is an entirely French-speaking co-ed summer camp. The lake's purity is sustained by the Androscoggin Lake Dam located at the end of Dead River in Leeds. The dam was built in 1940 to keep out water contaminated by waste from the surrounding towns.^[7]

Fishing and Wildlife

Many different species of fish inhabit Lake Androscoggin. The most common species are large-mouth bass, small mouth bass, chain pickerel and brown trout. Other fish less commonly found in the lake include yellow and white perch, redbreast sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, and the American eel.^[8] Fishing is allowed all year round with the proper permit.

Lake Androscoggin provides a unique wildlife habitat for many birds and plants. A commonly known nesting area for bald eagles is located on Lothrop Island. At one time bald eagles were included in the endangered species list. They were removed in 2009 due to the species making a remarkable comeback. Great blue herons and ospreys are commonly spotted on all four of the islands on the lake.

The cattail sedge is a plant found on Lake Androscoggin. The lake is the only place in Maine where this rare and endangered plant has been found. The exact location where the plant was discovered is unknown.^[9]

References