The Power of Big Lake — and the People Who Protect It

“The St. Croix River watershed has been home to the Passamaquoddy people for thousands of years,” says Joe Musante, Water Resources Biologist with the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township. “These lakes have been part of everyday life since that time, providing spiritual and physical sustenance to the community.”

When the Passamaquoddy people spotted variable-leaf milfoil — a devastating invasive aquatic plant — in the watershed’s biggest lake in 2019, they knew they needed to act quickly to protect the resources that are so vital to their community.

From there, a coalition was born.

To undergo a massive milfoil removal process, the Tribe joined forces with Downeast Lakes Land Trust, Big Lake Campmeeting Association, Big Lake Road Association, Grand Lake Stream Guides Association, Lake Stewards of Maine, and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Led by the Passamaquoddy people, the coalition worked together to remove more than 13,000 gallons of milfoil in 2022. In 2024, that number jumped to 30,000 gallons — and the fight for Big Lake continues.

Big Lake, Big Impact

What makes Big Lake unique among Maine’s 6,000-plus freshwater resources? Two factors.

First, and true to its name, Big Lake is big. In fact, coming in at more than 10,000 acres, it’s one of Maine’s largest lakes. As such, it’s a major recreational spot in Downeast Maine for fishing, boating, and picnicking as well as a sacred location for the Indigenous people who call it home.

Second, Big Lake is fairly isolated. “People thought Big Lake was safe because it’s way Downeast and there were no infestations nearby,” says Brett Willard, Aquatic Invasive Species Program Director at Lake Stewards of Maine. “But it doesn’t work like that. If a plant is on someone’s boat, it can sneak in.”

That’s exactly how variable-leaf milfoil was introduced to the lake.

According to the Maine DEP, this species of submerged aquatic plant “forms dense mats near the surface of the water.” It’s highly aggressive and extremely challenging to eradicate. Once it begins spreading, invasive milfoil outcompetes native plants, impacting food sources and habitats for wildlife both in and around the lake.

“Part of what makes the plant so dangerous is how it spreads. It’s an aquatic hitchhiker, so parts break off as it floats that then settle in new places to grow,” says Willard. “Most of the plants in Big Lake are clones that reproduced asexually from one introduction.”

Compared to the native plants in the lake, this strain of invasive milfoil starts growing earlier in the year and stops growing later in the year, says Willard, rapidly colonizing new areas and degrading the ecosystems and economic value of the lake.

Fighting such an aggressive plant on such an enormous lake requires intense planning, coordination, and collaboration.

“These four infested lakes amount to about 18,000 acres of water — far too much for any one organization to keep an eye on, nor should just one be responsible for doing so. Everyone has a role to play, everyone can bring a dish to the table, and they are all very needed.” — Joe Musante

A Community-Driven Effort

In late June of this year, Willard led a group of 29 Invasive Plant Patrol volunteers — ranging from 17 to 87 years old — on one of many trips to survey and map the milfoil infestation on Big Lake. They broke the lake into various sectors and sent teams of volunteers to examine the littoral zone of the lake (up to 15 feet deep) for the invasive plant. When they spotted milfoil, volunteers launched a weighted buoy with codes detailing the location, depth, and breadth of the invasive plant. Those codes matched information about the milfoil on their survey forms.

That information is critical, as it informs the DEP’s and the Passamaquoddy Tribe’s removal plans. “Removal work is 99% conducted with scuba gear, as plants must be dug out roots and all,” Musante notes. “Once plants are pulled, they’re bagged and loaded onto a boat to be composted on land. The work is very slow and dirty. Visibility quickly goes to near zero once the sediments are disturbed.”

Lending a Hand

This recent trip is just one example of the powerful collaboration designed to protect Big Lake. Over the years, various organizations across Maine have contributed to the coalition in small and large ways:

• Since the beginning of the project, Lake Stewards of Maine has helped spread awareness of the problem and garner on-the-ground support for mapping the infestation

• New England Milfoil partnered with the coalition for 11 weeks to provide removal services

• The Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge sent six military veterans to help remove 247 gallons of milfoil in 2023

• Big Lake Campmeeting Association has offered cabins, meeting spaces, and pontoon drivers for ongoing efforts

• Downeast Lake Land Trust has brought on volunteers to support mapping efforts

As Willard notes, “there are so many people who are enthusiastic about making sure that this really beautiful, pristine, incredible lake is protected. Everyone has the power to make a difference.”

Following the Passamaquoddy people’s lead, the coalition has worked together to remove tens of thousands of gallons of milfoil from Big Lake — a remarkable feat for a challenging project.

From dropping location buoys and organizing courtesy boat inspectors to securing food and shelter for surveyors, volunteers from multiple organizations make this work possible. Their collaborative action has led to incredible results for a lake that’s special to Maine and sacred to the Passamaquoddy Tribe.

Learn More and Get Involved!