Image / Google maps
The tiny Tenny River plays a large part in two major southern Maine watersheds.
February 26, 2021
Conservation of tiny Tenny River is crucial to greater Portland water quality
Courtesy / Loon Echo Land Trust
The Loon Echo Land Trust recently conserved 25 acres along the Tenny River in Raymond, bringing the total easement to 50 acres. The mile-long river is vital to the Sebago Lake and Casco Bay watersheds.
By Maureen Milliken
Where, exactly, is the Tenny River?
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A small but significant parcel of land along the eastern shore of the Tenny River in Raymond has been conserved by the Loon Echo Land Trust, with help from Portland-area businesses, a big step in preserving clean water for southern Maine residents.
The 25 acres of forest in the conservation easement runs along the bank of the mile-long river that connects Crescent Lake and Panther Pond. That easement, along with 28 acres conserved six years ago, is crucial to the water quality of Sebago Lake, the primary water supply for the Portland Water District.
The district provides water to about 16% of Maine's population, and the watershed — the area where snowmelt, rain and other bodies of water that contribute to the water supply — covers more than 50 miles and 24 towns.
The river and its forested banks have been identified by the Sebago Clean Waters partnership, as well as the town of Raymond, as a high priority for protection. The 50 conserved acres are mostly privately owned by the Pine Tree Council of the Boy Scouts of America, part of Camp Hinds, as well as some Palmer Pond landowners.
Sebago Clean Waters is made up of nine organizations, including the land trust, Portland Water District and other conservation groups, and is helping to fund management and enforcement of the easement. Portland-area businesses, including Woodard & Curran and Allagash Brewing Co., contributed to the fund.
The businesses "recognize the importance of clean Sebago Lake water for their communities and businesses to thrive," according to a news release from the land trust.
The new conservation easement includes 900 feet along the river, as well as several streams and a wetland, and, with the earlier easement, comprises 1,700 feet along the river. The move protects Tenny River's water quality, and therefore, the quality of the water bodies it connects to.
The Portland Water District says it makes keeping Sebago Lake water quality high a top priority. The district is exempt from the filtration requirement of the Safe Drinking Water Act because the lake is so clean filtering it is unnecessary. The exemption is reviewed every year by the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"This saves PWD customers money. In order to maintain this status, Sebago Lake water quality must meet strict criteria and PWD must maintain an effective watershed control program," the district says on its website.
Wilderness river near the city
The easement also preserves the wildlife-rich forested river corridor for nature observation and education and low-impact boating and fishing. The terms of the perpetual conservation easement, which will run with the land regardless who owns it, also encourage using the property for educational and recreational opportunities.
The river is 45 minutes north of Portland, allowing city-dwellers to experience a rare undeveloped river habitat in the area, the release said. There's a public boat launch on the south end of Crescent Lake that provides access for boaters.
“Thanks to the foresight of local landowners and community members, the Tenny River remains almost entirely undeveloped, a rare occurrence in this area of the state,” Matt Markot, land trust executive director, said in the release. “The conservation of this land ensures future generations will enjoy kayak paddles and the excitement of landing a fish on a wild and scenic Tenny River.”
Loon Echo Land Trust conserves more than 8,000 acres of land and manages 32 miles of public trails in Bridgton, Casco, Denmark, Harrison, Naples, Raymond and Sebago.
Tenny River location
A closer look at Tenny River location
Image / Google maps
The Tenny River, in Raymond, is only a mile long, but its conservation is crucial to maintaining water quality in the Sebago Lake and Casco Bay watersheds.
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