FAQs

Generally, chemicals from motors float on the surface of the water and evaporate quickly. Since PWD intake pipes are located near the bottom of the lake, gas and oil chemicals are not of great concern. Swimming is not allowed because human bodies may introduce bacteria and/or viruses to the water supply. Although the disinfection process has been proven to kill pathogenic bacteria and viruses, it is better to reduce the risk of waterborne illness by keeping human bodies away from the intake area.

PWD does not have the authority to limit ice fishing. The state allows ice fishing and is the only entity that can limit it. The state did pass a law prohibiting cars and trucks from being on the ice within 2 miles of the water intakes. This was passed after a truck broke through the ice.

In an attempt to limit the impact of ice fishing on water quality, the PWD conducts patrols during the ice fishing season, asking fishermen to use porta-potties located at the shore and to fuel ice fishing equipment on shore rather than on the ice.

No. The dam that controls the level of Sebago Lake is owned by SAPPI (formerly SD Warren) in Westbrook. SAPPI is required to manage lake level according to a compromise plan, developed in the 1990s by individuals, groups, and state agencies who had differing points of view about the best plan for managing the level of the lake. The compromise plan has target levels for certain weeks of the year. Drought years are built into the compromise plan.

The PWD promotes minimizing the extent of mowed areas near the lake because natural woody vegetation provides normal cleaning of runoff. The PWD does not use chemicals to treat the lawn areas at its properties near the lake and encourages others to use non-chemical lawn care methods as well.