WHAT IS LAKESMART?

LakeSmart is an education and outreach program that rewards lakefront homeowners who manage their land to protect water quality. The program is free, non-regulatory, and voluntary. Participating homeowners receive individualized suggestions for keeping pollutants from stormwater out of lake waters. 

Click here for our LakeSmart brochure.

How does it work?

Maine Lakes partners with lake association volunteers, who visit with neighbors and friends to assess their lakeside properties, checking for erosion around structures, in the yard, and along the lake. Properties that protect the lake and meet LakeSmart standards earn the coveted LakeSmart Award, consisting of two distinctive signs that can be posted at the waterfront and driveway. The signs identify the homes of good stewards and show everyone what lake-friendly living looks like.

Property owners not yet meeting the LakeSmart standards receive recommendations for what they can do to reduce erosion and protect their lake. Whether it’s installing a dripline trench around a structure, reducing lawn size and maintenance, adding more plants to a shoreline buffer, or covering bare areas of soil with erosion-control mulch, there is always something landowners can do to reduce their impact on the lakes.

Interested in LEARNING MORE OR STARTING a LakeSmart program?  Email your interest to Andrea Stevens, LakeSmart Program Manager, at astevens@lakes.me.

why is your lake at risk?

Phosphorus is a naturally occurring element that feeds lake algae, a healthy part of any lake ecosystem. But too much phosphorus can put a lake out of balance, feeding massive algae blooms that smell terrible, turn water green, degrade wildlife habitat, and potentially harm human and pet health.

You can find phosphorus in lots of places – pet waste, fertilizers, household cleaners, motor oil – none of which should ever find their way into a lake. But the biggest source of phosphorus is sand and soil that is washed into a lake after a rain event.

Signs of erosion on your property show you that phosphorus has a direct path to your lake. Look around for channels left by rain after a storm, especially near buildings and parking areas.

WhY DO WE NEED LAKESMART?

what does lakesmart look like?

LakeSmart properties are beautiful! They are more natural than suburban, providing wildlife habitat, food for pollinators, cooling shade, privacy screening, and so much more. They are functional properties, too…with docks, decks, recreation areas and winding paths. If each homeowner does a little, the sum of many small actions adds up to a lot of lake protection. And being LakeSmart is the place to start!

Interested in LEARNING MORE OR STARTING a LakeSmart program?  Email your interest to Andrea Stevens, LakeSmart Program Manager, at astevens@lakes.me.

lakesmart FAq

What is LakeSmart?

LakeSmart is an education and reward program for lakefront property owners who maintain their homes in ways that protect lake water quality and property values. LakeSmart is the flagship program of Maine Lakes, partnered with your local Lake Association.

What’s the Matter with Storm water?

Storm water runoff ruins lakes! Erosion and sedimentation from shoreline development and camp roads are the major cause of smelly, cloudy water, algal blooms, fish kills, and water you wouldn’t want to swim in.

What Does It Cost a Homeowner?

The visit is free, non-regulatory and completely voluntary. LakeSmart is the most cost-effective strategy that homeowners can use to protect their lake, their property’s value and their recreational activities. Many home/property Improvements can be “Do it yourself” or with your local Youth Conservation Corp assistance.

How long does it take?

The LakeSmart visit takes less than an hour. A trained volunteer will assess four areas of your property, starting at the driveway and working toward the shorefront. You will be informed right away of the observations and you’ll receive information about lake-friendly land practices and relevant web links. Your evaluation is then sent along to the Maine Lakes for final review.

Tell Me More about the LakeSmart Evaluation Process?

After final Maine Lakes review of the submitted evaluation; if your home scores well in all 4 categories and all criteria met, you will get the prestigious ‘LakeSmart Award’ and two handsome blue and white signs for posting at the roadside and lakefront. If you pass in 1 to 3 LakeSmart categories but not all criteria met, you will receive a ‘Certificate of Commendation’, helpful suggestions, and our thanks for caring about the lake. Whatever the outcome, you’ll learn how to become more lake-friendly, and that is just as important.

How Can I Participate?

Contact your local Lake Association to inquire if they have a LakeSmart Program. If they do, they will connect you with one of their trained volunteers who will assess your property. He or she will come to your home, evaluate its ability to prevent run-off and inputs of pollution, and report back to you. During the evaluation you will be able to walk the property with the volunteer and you’ll be given information on how to capture and infiltrate stormwater. LakeSmart is entirely voluntary, so you are free to take some of the recommended actions or not–it’s completely up to you.

What if there is no local Program?

Have your local Lake Association contact Maine Lakes at lakesmart@lakes.me. We would be pleased to work with you and your Lake Association to provide training and guidance in developing a program. It can start with you!

What’s the Payoff?

Research has shown that LakeSmart properties are as protective of water quality as undeveloped land. The benefits of managing the LakeSmart way are many:

• Clean, clear, healthy water
• Outstanding recreational opportunities
• High property values
• Abundant wildlife on land and in the water
• Successful local businesses

LakeSmart is funded in part by a Giving While Living grant from the Woodard & Curran Foundation. We thank them for their support!