Togus Pond Watershed Restoration Project, Phase IV

Current Updates

  • We will be scheduling site visits as soon as the ground clears. If you are a landowner with issues with runoff or erosion issues, please contact us here and we can address your concern. You do not need to be present for site visits, and we will email you a site plan following our visit.

  • In partnership with Worromontogus Lake Association and China Lake Association, we are hosting two free Gravel Road Workshops! You can attend either workshop, and there will also be an online option on April 4th. To find out more, please click here.

General Information

Togus Pond is a 662-acre waterbody located entirely within Augusta, originally formed by glacial processes and later enlarged through dam construction over the past 200 years. The surrounding watershed features rich wetland habitats, with 11 miles of streams, 498 acres of riparian habitat, and 131 acres of freshwater wetlands, along with four vernal pools. Two of the largest wetland areas are classified as inland wading bird and waterfowl habitat, supporting various wildlife, including loons.

The pond contains two boat launches, one of which is public and ADA accessible, and supports a variety of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, swimming, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. It is home to a warm-water fishery, with 16 fish species, including 12 native species. Coldwater species like brook trout and brown trout are limited, though brook trout are stocked annually for ice fishing. In 2020, a state-of-the-art fish ladder was built to allow alewife migration past the 8-foot dam. The pond also supports a population of rainbow smelt, and commercial harvest of smelt is permitted

General information about the surrounding area:

  • Shoreline development includes 200 residences, with 73% year-round use and 27% seasonal

  • 84 acres of road networks consists of 61% unpaved gravel roads accessing shoreline areas, and 39% paved roads (including Routes 202 and 105)

Environmental Concern

Togus Pond has a long history of water quality issues, with recurring algal blooms dating back to the 1920s and 1930s. Data collected by Maine DEP and local volunteers show that the pond often experiences low water clarity, with regular blooms of algae. The pond’s water quality is impacted by phosphorus from surrounding areas. While an alum treatment has helped reduce internal phosphorus levels, managing pollution from the watershed is essential. Decreasing dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the pond are a growing concern, as low DO can cause phosphorus to be released from the lake's sediments, further fueling algal blooms

The pond's watershed is largely forested (78%), with developed areas covering 13% and agriculture just 1%. However, developed land contributes 47% of the phosphorus load, significantly affecting water quality. The pond’s slow turnover rate means nutrients from the watershed are retained longer, which contributes to the ongoing algal bloom problem. To improve water quality and prevent further degradation, it is important to address both the pollution entering the pond from the watershed and the natural processes within the lake.

Current status

Soon we will be providing site visits to interested landowners who have known erosion issues that might be affecting water quality.

Timeline of events:

  • Site visit to properties

  • Site plans created and emailed to landowner

  • If interested in proceeding, a CSA will be sent to the landowner

  • Work completed before the end of September will qualify for grant funding

We can assist with any permitting that might be needed for work to be completed.

40% match required can include landowner’s payment for construction and materials, or in-kind match in the form of landowner’s work or materials provided.

Please reach out if you have any questions!

Grants are on a first come first serve basis.

Funding for this project, in part, was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The funding is administered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in partnership with EPA. EPA does not endorse any commercial products or services mentioned.