March/April Announcements
2025 Annual Meeting
TPIA's annual meeting was held on June 21 at the Raymond Broadcast Studio, 423 Webbs Mills Rd, starting at 9AM
Due to problems with Raymond's computers we were unable to effectively get the zoom to operate or make a recording of the meeting.
Problems with the hosting provider appear to have been resolved and the financial and dam keeper/ dam repair documents have been uploaded and are available in the 2025 Meeting section of the Meetings page.
Repair of the Thomas Pond Dam
Details about the Dam Repair have been moved to their own page.
Dam repairs will begin on November 3, 2025 and are expected to take 2.5 - 3 weeks to complete, plus some additional time for concrete to cure prior to resuming normal dam operations.
Please check back periodically for more information.
Dam Repair Fund Raising
(to 06/12/25)
Approximate progress towards contract value of $39,450. We now expect to need about $47,500 available to cover all contingencies and expenses.
In addition to the funds we directly raise, The towns of Raymond and Casco approved funding to help with Dam Repairs. These funds are included in the progress bars.
Casco approved funding on June 4.
Raymond approved funding on June 10.
Dam Repair % of Contract Raised
100
%Dam Repair % of Budget Raised
97
%Wakesurfing Law
On August 9, 2024 a new law (LD 2284) that imposes new restrictions on where wakeboard boats can be used in wakesurfing activities went into effect.
The new law limits wakesurfing to areas of the pond that are:
• 300' or more from the shore
• 15' deep or deeper
The map in the graphic shows the approximate portion of Thomas Pond where the law allows wakesurfing. It was marked up using the 15' depth only, so distances from shore are not to scale and some areas may not actually be usable for wakesurfing.
Please be respectful. Wave action from boating is a significant contributor to shoreline erosion on Thomas Pond and creates a huge risk of stirring up phosphorou. The "standard" no-wake-zone remains unchanged at 200' from the shoreline.
Thomas Pond is "Most At Risk"
Per Maine Chapter 502, Thomas Pond is included in the list of water bodies most at risk from development, which means that this pond is particularly sensitive to additional phosphorus inputs.
In 2023, TPIA measured higher Phosphorous levels
than in prior years.
We don't know the cause, but in 2024 we increased the frequency of monitoring and will keep a close eye on the trends. The first readings for 2024 have been added to the graphic. Unfortunately the testing lab has been very slow to return results
TPIA's efforts help protect this lake, which is so precious to us all.
High phosphorous levels can have serious consequences and be very expensive to remediate. We're no where near having to perform remediation, but you may find this article on Togus Pond interesting (or frightening).
You can help too by ensuring your septic system is working properly and by using low or zero phosphorous content products for gardening, fertilizing lawns, laundry and dishwasher detergents. Donating to the Thomas Pond Improvement Association also helps TPIA protect the pond.
Precipitation
Our Purpose
The purpose of the Thomas Pond Improvement Association is (1) to maintain and preserve mutually agreeable water levels through the acquisition and operation of the Thomas Pond Dam and to act relative to the repair and on-going maintenance of said Dam, and (2) to perform acts appropriate to a non-profit Corporation dedicated to the protection and maintenance of water quality and natural beauty of Thomas Pond for the benefit of the majority of Members and the public use of Thomas Pond.
The TPIA is an all volunteer organization. We could use help. Please consider contributing funds and volunteering some of your time and skills to help the organization achieve its mission.
