Lake library

Welcome to the Lake Library, where we continue to expand our collection of lake-related resources for shoreland owners, lake stewards and anyone who appreciates clean and healthy lakes. Please check back as we will be adding new information often.

Best Management Practices

• Best Management Practices (Portland Water District)
• Infiltration Steps: Low Impact Lake Access (Vermont Lake Wise)
• Lake-Friendly Yard Maintenance (Vermont Lake Wise)
• Planning Pathways (Vermont Lake Wise)

Buffers

• Buffers for Blue Lakes (The Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds)
• A Guide to Healthy Lakes Using Lakeshore Landscaping (The Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds)
• Protect Your Pond Brochure (Maine Lakes)
• The Buffer Handbook (Maine DEP)
• The Buffer Handbook Plant List (Maine DEP)
• Lakes Like Less Lawn (Portland Water District)
• Landscaping at the Water’s Edge (NH Extension)
• Common Shrubs of Central Maine (Maine Lakes)

Contractors in the Shoreland Zone 

• Certification in Erosion Control Practices for Contractors (Maine DEP)
• List of Individuals Certified in Erosion Control Practices

Docks  

• Lake Friendly Dock Choices (Lake Sunapee Protective Association)
• Pressure-Treated Wood: Can it be Used in New Hampshire's Waters? (NH Dept. of Environmental Services)

Economic Value of Lakes Click here for a recording of a webinar where the economic benefits of Maine's lakes and great ponds are discussed, and why keeping them healthy is imperative.

General Lake Information 

• The Lake Book (Maine Lakes)
• Homeowners Guide (Lakes Environmental Association)
• The Lake Dweller’s Handbook   (Kezar Lake Watershed Association)

Invasive Species  

• What are Invasives? (Maine Lakes)

Lake Association How-Tos

• Start a Lake Association

LakeSmart 

• LakeSmart Brochure (Maine Lakes) 
• LakeSmart Lakers Dozen (Maine Lakes) 
• Other Resources

Managing Erosion From Driveway and Parking Areas

• Gravel Road Maintenance Manual: A Guide for Landowners on Camp and Other Gravel Roads (Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District)
• Firehose Diverter Factsheet (New Hampshire Lakes)
• Water Bars and Open-Top Culverts (Vermont Lake Wise)
• Why Should You Consider a Stormwater Friendly Driveway? (Burlington Vermont Public Works)

 Native Plants and sod

• List of Native Plant Retailers (Wild Seed Project)
• Maine Native Plant Finder (Maine Audubon)
• Sources of Lowbush Blueberry Plants and Sod (UMaine Extension)

Rain Gardens 

• Landscapes for Maine: Adding a Rain Garden to Your Landscape (UMaine Extension)
• Native Plants for New England Rain Gardens (University of New Hampshire Extension)
• Rain Gardens: Upland Stormwater Management (Vermont Lake Wise)

Real Estate Professionals

• Real Estate Professionals (Maine Lakes)

Septic Systems

• Septic System Resources (Maine Lakes)
• Septic System Permit Search: This service provided by The Division of Environmental and Community Health of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services allows citizens to search for the septic plans for a provided address. This service is provided by a third party working in partnership with the State of Maine.
• Caring for Your Septic System: For the sake of Maine's water resources, out of sight should mean out of mind. To view and/or download this brochure, please click HERE.

Shoreland Zoning 

• Shoreland Zoning Handbook 2008 (Maine DEP) 
• Natural Resources Protection Act (Maine DEP)

The production and distribution of outreach materials are supported in part by a Giving While Living grant from the Woodard and Curran Foundation. We thank them for their support!