Sheepscot Pond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sheepscot Pond |
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 Sheepscot Pond
Location in Maine
Sheepscot Pond
Location in the United States
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| Location | Waldo County, Maine |
| Coordinates | 44°21′30″N 69°25′54″W / 44.35833°N 69.43167°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Sheepscot River |
| Primary outflows | Sheepscot River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 3 mi (4.8 km) |
| Max. width | 1.4 mi (2.3 km) |
| Surface area | 1,215 acres (492 ha; 1.898 sq mi) (or 1,193 acres) |
| Average depth | 42 ft (13 m) |
| Max. depth | 150 ft (46 m) |
| Surface elevation | 284 ft (87 m) |
Sheepscot Pond, also known as Sheepscot Lake, is the third-largest lake in Waldo County, Maine. It is located in the town of Palermo, on the western side of Waldo County.
About Sheepscot Pond
Sheepscot Pond is a deep lake, reaching a maximum depth of 150 feet (about 46 meters). The water in the lake has plenty of oxygen, which is good for the fish and other creatures living there.
Fish and Wildlife
More than 20 different kinds of fish live in Sheepscot Pond. Over the years, people have added fish like salmon, lake trout, and brook trout to the lake.
There have been efforts to control the number of lamprey eels in the lake. Lamprey eels are a type of fish that migrate to lay their eggs. To help manage their population, a special fish passage called the Alaskan Steep-Pass fishway was sometimes closed during their spawning season. This helps protect other fish species in the lake.
Water Quality
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection checks the water quality of Sheepscot Pond. They have found that the water quality is generally average.
Scientists measure things like phosphorus levels, which are nutrients that can affect water quality. They also use a tool called a Secchi disk to see how clear the water is. For Sheepscot Pond, these measurements have stayed fairly steady over time.
Palermo Fish Cultural Station
Sheepscot Pond also provides water for the Palermo Fish Cultural Station. This station is a place where fish are raised, often to be released into lakes and rivers to help keep fish populations healthy.
