Foster Pond, located in South Bridgton was named after the Foster family who set up saw and grist mills on the outlet in the early 1800s. The pond is also sometimes called Ingalls Pond, which refers to another prominent family during Bridgton’s early history.
Foster Pond provides good habitat for species such as smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and chain pickerel. Although the pond is annually stocked with brook trout from state hatcheries, it is poorly suited for coldwater species as the entire water column becomes quite warm during the late summer. Foster Pond also has populations of hornpout, smelt and fallfish.
The average Secchi disk reading for 2019 was 6.69 meters, fell into the moderately clear range, and was shallower than the long-term average of 6.83 meters. The average total phosphorus reading of 6.25 ppb fell into the moderate range and was less than the long-term average of 7.05 ppb. The chlorophyll-a average of 2.71 ppb fell into the moderate range and was higher than the long-term average of 2.27 ppb. Long-term trend analysis indicates chlorophyll–a concentrations in Foster Pond are stable, total phosphorus concentrations are stable, and clarity readings are increasing. The average color reading for 2019 was 23.29 SPU, indicating that water in Foster Pond is moderately colored. Suitable fish habitat was present through June and transitioned to marginal during the months of July and August. Fish habitat became unsuitable in September.
Foster Pond’s 2019 Quick Stats
Foster Pond surface water chlorophyll, phosphorus, and Secchi depth data summary. Colored boxes represent the long-term range of values, from minimum to maximum, obtained on Woods Pond. The line represents the long-term average value and the large dot represents 2019’s average value. The small red dots represent individual readings taken in 2019.
2 percent of soils in the watershed are type A soils. Type A soils tend to be well drained sands, loams, and gravels. When vegetation is removed and the soil is exposed they can be susceptible to erosion. Because they are often coarse with ample pore space, there is low runoff potential and water will not usually pool on them. These soils can be good places to site leach fields or infiltrate stormwater from a home or residence.
8 percent of soils in the watershed are type B soils. B soils have moderate infiltration rates and fine to moderate texture and soil size. They are usually made up silts and loams. Although not as well drained as A soils, they can also be good places to site leach fields and infiltrate stormwater.
63 percent of soils in the watershed are type C soils. C soils have low infiltration rates and typically have a layer that impedes the movement of water. These soils are made of sands, clays, and loams and are one of the most common soil types in western Maine.
2 percent of soils in the watershed are type D soils. D soils have a high runoff potential and very low infiltration rates. Soils with a high water table, clay or other impervious layer near the surface are typically D soils. These soils are often associated with wetlands.
13 percent of soils in the watershed are type C/D soils. C/D soils are a mix of these two soil types. They have fairly high runoff potential and low infiltration rates and often pool water.
The remaining 12 percent of the watershed is taken up by the pond.