McWain Pond in Waterford, Maine Rich in History, Wildlife, and Recreation

The perfect lakefront getaway location in the Sebago Lakes Region is McWain Pond nestled, in the hills of Waterford, Maine.

Formally known as Long Pond, it is approximately 450 acres and has no public access. At 3 1/2 miles long, it's perfect for boating, water skiing and swimming. Fishing too! The spring-fed pond contains large and small mouth bass, smelt, sunfish and blue gills.

Legend has it that after David McWain settled in the area around 1775, he helped later settlers survive hard winters by selling his surplus corn at a low price. He is also rumored to have hid silver in pine trees to protect it from being stolen. Hmmmm . . . might be worth owning a piece of lakefront property here just to learn more about this latter story.

Tony Butterall, President of the McWain Pond Association, recently told me that according the the Lakes Environmental Association, which monitors the water quality of the pond, "We are in the moderate/high degree of concern, however, we are in the middle of a Watershed Improvement Project and have made some major improvements."

Since the early 80s, the Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) has provided extensive water testing on McWain. And in the last couple of years, LEA has been a key partner in the McWain Pond Watershed Project. The project aims to curb eroding soil that washes from surrounding land carrying phosphorus into the lake, the chief threat to water quality in Maine.

In 2008, the McWain Pond Watershed Project reduced nutrient pollution by an estimated 22 tons. In 2009, the project continues with erosion control for town and camp roads, plus the addition of vegetative buffers. All of this will help the McWain Pond Association achieve their primary goal "to preserve the water quality of the pond and the gentle quality of the environment around the pond for future generations."

The shoreline of McWain Pond is fringed with seasonal and year-round residences. It is also home to two summer camps. Birch Rock is a small residential camp for boys. It's located on McWain Hill and was founded in 1925 by William "Chief" Brewster and his wife Onie. The camp continues today under new leadership, but the property is still owned by the Brewster family. Camp Waziyatah is a co-ed residential camp. Disney filmed the TV show "Bug Juice" at Camp Wazi.

FMI: McWain Pond Association, www.mcwainpond.org.
Birch Rock Camp, www.birchrock.org, 207.741.2930.
Camp Waziyatah, www.wazi.com, 207.583.2267.

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