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PHOTO: John Conley, left, and Chuck Buikema check out Little Wilson Pond’s water clarity. (Denise McCourt photo)
TURNER — Just by looking into the water, property owners on Little Wilson Pond in south Turner could tell their water quality was amazing in 2022, and the scientific data backs that up.
The best clarity readings were in August, when visibility was measured up to 18 feet. The drier the weather, the clearer the water, noted Biz Gagnon, a year-round resident.
Gagnon tests the water quality every month, using a Secchi disk to gauge transparency.
He also works closely with Lake Stewards of Maine to monitor water quality on the 110-acre pond. Its importance goes beyond Turner, because water from Little Wilson Pond flows directly into Lake Auburn — via The Basin — supplying drinking water for Auburn and Lewiston.
Gagnon said the water quality this summer was the best he had ever seen. He and his family have been fishing on the pond for years, where the main catch is largemouth bass.
While the summer numbers were, the numbers dropped off in the fall, as heavy rains caused more runoff. The water flows from farms and streams at the north end of the pond and into Lake Auburn at the south end.
According to Gagnon’s data, August was just over 17 feet at the north end and 18 feet at the south end. By October, following several heavy rain storms, those numbers dropped to 12 feet 4 inches at the north end and just 12 feet at the south end.
