The Lake Book

THE HUMAN ELEMENT: OUR USE AND IMPACT
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH LAKES
The last chapter reviewed how our lakes are living and ever-changing
ecosystems, providing important habitat for native plant and wildlife
species, from the smallest microscopic algae to the majestic moose
and wailing loon. Maine lakes are also incredibly important to people,
and they provide innumerable benefits to all who live in or visit Maine.
Lakes are where we go on hot summer days to cool down, or visit with
friends and family at lakeside camps. We make memories that last a
lifetime at lakes, and many would say clean and healthy lakes are a
priceless resource for us all. We also know that we can put a price tag
on lakes as an economic engine for many Maine towns, as we spend
money in lakeside communities, work for or create businesses that
rely on lakes for their revenue, buy lakeside camps, and pay property
taxes. The latest estimate of the total value of Maine’s lake economy
was more than $11 billion dollars per year. In addition, more than half
of Mainers rely on drinking water from lakes and ponds. These
benefits, however, depend on clean water and healthy lake
ecosystems, which in turn depend on our own actions and behaviors.
As residents or visitors of lakes and their surrounding watersheds, we
are intimately connected to the well-being of these fragile systems.
While many of our lakes appear pristine and immune to algal blooms
or declines in water quality, nearly all our lakes are at some level of
risk. More than 350 Maine lakes are listed as at risk from development
pressure, at risk priority watersheds due to water quality issues, or at
high or very high risk of algal blooms. Chances are you might be living
on or visiting one of them soon.
Read on to learn more about our relationship with lakes and how we
can and must protect these treasured natural resources for future
generations to enjoy.
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