Ward Pond is fortunate to have outstanding water quality, and keeping it that way is one of the Association’s most important responsibilities. Each summer, trained Association volunteers take water clarity measurements twice a month using a Secchi disk and scope. These readings are reported to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which tracks water quality data for lakes across the state under MIDAS #5282.
What We Measure
The primary measurement is Secchi Disk Transparency — a measure of how far down into the water you can see a white disk. Clarity can be affected by algae growth, excess tannins from decaying leaves, silt from runoff, rainfall, and temperature. Over the past 30 years, Ward Pond’s water clarity has been significantly improving, with recent annual averages ranging between 6 and 7.5 meters (roughly 19 to 24 feet) — exceptional by Maine standards.
30-Year Water Quality Trend
Current Water Quality Report
The most current Water Quality report is available at Maine DEP Water Quality Report for Ward Pond