Recent undermining and toppling of trees at Songo Beach, Sebago
Lake State Park, due to unnatural lake level management. Photo taken May,
2000. Dozens of large trees at Songo have fallen over in recent years due
to beach erosion and recession.
14. Analysis of impacts of lake-level
management on shoreline vegetation community of Sebago Lake.
Little attention has been paid to the importance of shoreline vegetation
which is critical for protecting the shoreline from storm damage. In areas
of natural shoreline without developments, vegetation has been eroded away.
This vegetation is a key to dissipating the impacts of wave action. Vegetation
and root structures can successfully prevent erosion during periods of high
water levels. Sustained periods of high water and storm action can destroy
this natural shoreline protection. Such is the case on the natural shoreline
of Long Point in Standish.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1985) summarizes and documents the effect
of inundation on shoreline vegetation: " As result of rising water
levels or constantly fluctuating water levels, vegetation is killed. This
can occur during the winter (McKim et al. 1975) as well as during spring
flooding. The vegetation cover and its root system help dissipate wave,
current and wind energy on low-lying beaches during storm and other temporary
water surges."
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