A view of the Belgrade Stream, which connects Long Pond and Snow Pond (a.k.a. Messalonskee Lake), looking south toward the latter from Knowles Road in Belgrade, on a tranquil, August afternoon. Photo by Gregor Smith. More…
(Click here or on the photo above to enlarge it.)
On the Cover
The Belgrade Lakes: A Multi-Billion Dollar Treasure
The seven Belgrade Lakes form one of Maine’s most remarkable natural resources. They also represent an extraordinary economic asset. The waterfront properties surrounding the seven lakes are estimated to be worth more than $3 billion, and clean lakes and strong property values go hand in hand. More…
Conservation
Where Wild Salmon Still Spawn
The Sandy River runs out of the mountains of Franklin County through Madrid, Phillips, and Farmington to join the Kennebec near Norridgewock. It is a beautiful river, where, if you are patient and lucky, you can watch a wild Atlantic salmon jump. It is one of the last places in the United States where these fish return to spawn. More…
7 Lakes Alliance
It’s Algae Season
Water clarity has been excellent so far, but algae growth tends to increase this time of year. Cyanobacteria, or “blue-green algae,” are colonial, single-celled microorganisms that cause most lakewide algae blooms across Maine when temperatures are high and there is plenty of phosphorus. More…
Belgrade History Beyond Belgrade
An Early 1900s Boating Trip
Out of the Belgrade Historical Society’s files comes a great picture postcard of folks out for a boating trip in the early 1900s. Probably taken between 1905 and 1910, the photo shows five tourists, two men and three women, with local fishing guide, Alfred L. Stevens. More…
Community Update
A Secret Worth Sharing, Part III
Bringing something beautiful out into the light, the Union Church of Belgrade Lakes and the Belgrade Central School care for one child at a time. There is a joint effort to be sure that elementary children have the winter clothing that they need to stay warm and enjoy the region’s chilly, snowy season! More…
Call of the Loon
Too Many Adults??
We are pondering the question, “Do we have too many adult loons for the twelve or fourteen loon territories in each of our two lakes?” We know that we have the water quality, clarity, and fisheries population that make the Belgrade Lakes attractive to not only our residents and visitors, but our eagles, osprey, and loons as well! More…
Dams Report
We Are in a DROUGHT!
The Belgrade Lakes are in a DROUGHT! Regular column readers will recall that NOAA had forecasted another 26% less precipitation drought for the summer of 2026. So, as a result, we have once again tried to keep all of our ponds at 3″ above full pond for a little breathing room. More…
Take It Outside
Early Summer Fishing and Water Quality Monitoring
The weekend of Juneteenth and Father’s Day included one of my biweekly water quality monitoring sessions. Big rainstorms can cause major erosion that can wash significant sediment into our lakes. Gentle rain that infiltrates slowly while removing contaminants is far preferable. More…
Download the Print Edition
The print edition includes all the above articles and much more. You can find a complete table of contents on p. 3. Adobe Reader is required.
(If you have a slow Internet connection, try the low-resolution version. The pictures won’t be as crisp, but the download will be faster.)
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