Long Pond is a small, spring-fed pond in Denmark. It is located between the larger Pleasant Pond and tiny Beaver Pond.
Long Pond was chemically reclaimed in September 1958, to remove competing species and permit more intensive management for brook trout. The successful reclaimation along with a brook trout stocking program resulted in an excellent trout fishery. In 1984, both smelts and banded killifish were discovered in the pond. Both of these species compete with the brook trout. Some trout reproduction occurs around the springs and spring seepages on the north end of the pond. However, stocking is necesary to supplement this natural reproduction.
Long Pond is sampled by LEA once per year in August. The long-term average reflects data from 1997 to 2022. The Secchi disk reading for 2021 was 3.3 meters, which falls into the moderate clarity range. The Secchi disk did not hit the bottom this year but has in years past, indicating that Secchi depth may not be a reliable indicator of historic water clarity. The total phosphorus reading of 10.0 ppb falls into the moderate range. The deep water phosphorus value was not significantly above surface water phosphorus values, which suggests phosphorus recycling is not problematic. The chlorophyll reading of 5.0 ppb falls into the moderate range. Long-term trend analysis indicates chlorophyll concentrations in Long Pond are increasing and total phosphorus concentrations are stable. The color reading for 2022 was 51.0 SPU, indicating that water in Long Pond is falls into the high color range.
Long 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 2022’s average
value.
62 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.
3 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.
3 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.
5 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.
9 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 18 percent of the watershed is taken up by the pond.
