Brandy Pond, originally called the Bay of Naples, was a primary commercial and recreational travel route during Maine’s early development stages. Today, activities on the Causeway in Naples include seaplane rides, windsurfing and para-sailing.
Because Brandy Pond serves as a passageway between Sebago Lake and Long Lake, coldwater fish species such as landlocked salmon, brook trout, and brown trout can all be found within its waters. In addition to these coldwater fish, Brandy also supports populations of smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, white perch, yellow perch, chain pickerel, hornpout, white sucker, smelts, minnows, cusk and sunfish. Although Brandy Pond is not stocked, Sebago Lake and Long Lake are both regularly stocked with landlocked salmon.
The average Secchi disk reading for 2021 was 6.31 meters, which falls into the moderately clear range. The average total phosphorus reading of 5.5 ppb falls into the moderate range. The average deep water phosphorus value was not significantly above surface water phosphorus values, which suggests phosphorus recycling is not problematic. The chlorophyll-a average of 2.0 ppb falls into the low range. Long-term trend analysis indicates chlorophyll–a concentrations in Brandy Pond are stable, total phosphorus concentrations are stable, and clarity readings are stable. The average color reading for 2021 was 25.6 SPU, indicating that water in Brandy Pond is highly colored. Suitable coldwater fish habitat was present through June. In July, coldwater fish habitat became unsuitable as water temperature increased and deep water oxygen was consumed. Unsuitable coldwater fish habitat persisted through September.
Brandy Pond’s surface water chlorophyll (ppb), phosphorus (ppb), and Secchi depth (meters) data comparison. Colored areas represent the long-term range of values, from minimum to maximum. Area thickness indicates frequency of measurements at that value. Area thickness increases as more measurements are reported at that value. The vertical black line represents the long-term average value. The large red dot represents 2021’s average value. The small red dots represent individual readings taken in 2021.
A survey to document erosion problems within the Brandy Pond Watershed began in late April of 2009 and finished in early October. Through the survey, volunteers and technical staff identified 73 erosion sites within the watershed. Although most of the sites were considered to have a low or medium impact on the pond, the cumulative impact of all these areas is sizable. Erosion on residential property and private roads were the largest problems identified during the project.
53 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.
4 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.
15 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.
2 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.
1 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 25 percent of the watershed is taken up by the pond.
