Newport-Sebasticook Lake (Dexter, Milo, Corinna: homes, buying, pharmacy)

[JC3]

Am considering buying lakefront property on Sebasticook Lake. Any info about Newport and the lake would be greatly appreciated.

Is it a nice area to live? Does the lake have good fishing? Swimming? Is the community one that will make new additions feel welcomed?

Any cons I should be aware of?

Thanks for any info in advance.

[mainebrokerman]

newport, is a nice area, not too far from bangor, greenville (moosehead lake) and one of my fav grocery stores (p&L country store in dexter)

dont know alot about the lake,,tho one of my best childhood friends...had a camp on that lake,,,and a few times we went swimming and boating,,,,

[BoundtofindME]

Here's a link to info about the water quality of the lake. http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/docmon...tmdlsebrep.pdf

Newport area is nice, very accessible to I-95. Also, check out Lake Wassookeag in nearby Dexter too!

[JC3]

Thanks much for the info.
Sounds like it is a good area and after reading the site posted, seems like a lot of effort and work has made the lake a decent one.
Was nice to see no "cons" were written.

[kellysmith]

JC3,
I'm not sure I'd take that report as an indication that it would be a great lake to purchase property on. I used to do quite a bit of flying in that part of the state in the 90's and when they talk about the lake having an algae bloom, they mean the entire lake was pea-soup green. The reason for the study is to try to improve that situation. In order to do so, the simple answer is to cut down on phosphates entering the lake. One way to do that is to put all sorts of regulations on those responsible. The report mentions farming, but beware of the homeowners around the lake having to jump through all sorts of hoops because of leechate from their septics. That would be the last lake in Maine I would want to own property on. I didn't read the entire report, but in my observations the bloom is worse when there is not a lot of rain in July and August. When that happens the lake doesn't get enough runoff through it to flush out the stagnation that builds. It would be interesting if you could google for images of the lake in the 90's. Look at one of those and you would spend your money elsewhere I'm thinking.

[JC3]

Kellysmith,
Thanks for the info. I will do some in depth homework about this. When I saw the lake it looked pretty good and no sign of any algae. This was in Aug/Sept time frame. Also checked out some bass tournament results, one in Sept really impressed me. The quality and quantity of the fish brought in for a 2 day tourny was very impressive. You don't see those kind of results in a very bad lake.

I will post here what I can find out. Was hoping someone who lived on the lake mght respond to my inquiry but I will take all the help I can get. It is big decision and you are correct, you don't need to be unhappy with the decision after. Thanks.

[GarlicGuy]

I recall about 12 or 13 years ago having to do some work on a well near the shoreline on that lake. The water level was down a ways at that time and I don't recall seeing any other lake like that one before. The rocks on the shoreline were all very dark in color. I'd heard it was from the dumping of tanneries etc years before. It just seems lifeless while walking around the shoreline. Its a lovely area but like other posts... I'd be leary... not tops on my wish list.

[BoundtofindME]

Originally Posted by GarlicGuy

I recall about 12 or 13 years ago having to do some work on a well near the shoreline on that lake. The water level was down a ways at that time and I don't recall seeing any other lake like that one before. The rocks on the shoreline were all very dark in color. I'd heard it was from the dumping of tanneries etc years before. It just seems lifeless while walking around the shoreline. Its a lovely area but like other posts... I'd be leary... not tops on my wish list.

Yep, there was an old tannery on a stream in Corinna that became a Superfund project. Was finally cleaned up within the past 5 years. The stream flows into Sebasticook. Was wondering why the link I provided didn't mention that...

(Edit: Just remembered it was an old Woolen Mill...sorry)

[JC3]

Thanks for the responses once again and becuse of them, I really did some homework.

I made inquires with town folk and lake property owners. I also got info from some people in the lake association as well as fish and game.

Most did say that, yes indeed, in the 90's the lake was horrendous and that you could follow a boat just by following the trail left on the "soup". But from what I could find out, many dollars, federal and state, have been used to clean the lake up. I have been told the last major pollution source has been taken care of recently. A waste treatment plant was built in Corrina(?). The farms along the streams have done a lot to restrict manure and fertizlilizer flowing into the rivers and streams. I guess a lot of hard work by the locals and the surrounding areas has been paying off. Seems like the town and the areas along the streams and rivers feeding the lake are doing a great job in stopping pollutants from entering the watershed.

We were very impressed with the boat launch and the town beach area. You couldn't find a cigarrete butt on the grounds. You don't often find clean areas such as those. Even the older homes in the town area were kept up and clean. It really didn't give one an impression of being a depressed area. Actually, it was surprising to find everything you would find in a larger town. Stores, pharmacy,banks, Dr,s, restaurants, hardware store, sears, even a WALMART. I guess those are found anywhere now.

Back to the lake. I was told they draw the water down each Sept to flush the phosporous from the lake. Although no one said it would ever be a super clear lake in the future, all sources were very positive that the lake has changed ,very much for the best. Swimming and fishing and water sports are okay there as well. Most everyone is also in agreement that more work and vigilance is needed to continue for the lake to keep improving.

I tried understanding some of the info found on clarity, phosporous, etc. I got to admit, some of it was beyond me but I did notice that the clarity readings had improved over the years. Of course weather conditions could affect water depending on when it happens and readings taken. Fish and game did say that it was a very good lake for fishing and wildlife but that he personally wouldn't swim in it too much. He did clarify his opinion by saying it was just HIS opinion and that it is used for swimming.

I am glad for the responses because it made me do some homework I may have otherwise not considered. I did learn quite a bit about the lake and the area. After all of it, I would have ran, not walked from there if it was the 90's. After all the money and effort put into this lake, I don't think anyone is going to let it go back to what you folks described. After all this, it sounds like a sound and good community where people do care about what they have for resources.

Thanks for the input and I said I would post what I found out.

[AlisonL]

Went through Newport alot in late 2007 on our way to Milo and the lake was very low even then.