Saco River Waterhsed
The Little Ossipee River forms most of Shapleigh’s northern border with Newfield. It gathers water from several ponds and brooks as it flows northeast and eventually joins the Saco River. Hansen Pond sits on the Shapleigh border with Acton. There is no development around this 26 acre pond which drains into the Little Ossipee River through a short stream at its northern end. The river then runs for less than a half mile before flowing into Shapleigh Pond, which forms as the river backs up behind a dam on Balch Mill Road. The both the northern and southern shores of this 82 acre pond are mostly marsh and forest. There are a few dozens homes at the northern end along Main Street in the village of North Shapleigh. After passing the dam, the Little Ossipee River flows under a bridge on Main Street, passes a few homes, and crosses Shapleigh Corner Road through a large culvert. The river continues northeast as it parallels Mann Road through a sparsely developed area of town. The last two miles of the rivers in Shapleigh run through forest and into a marsh area west of Mann Road where it enters Newfield.
Norton Brook begins in a small marsh behind a farm at the intersection of Nason Road and Gulf Road. It flows north through areas of forest and emergent wetland and crosses Ross Corner Road and Owls Nest Road through two small bridges. The brook passes a few homes on Norton Ridge Road and Owls Nest Road as it twists through an area of small hills. Norton Brook turns west through and area of forested wetland and then runs joins Davis Brook. This brook drains out of the north end of 11 acre Spicer Pond, which forms behind a culvert on Norton Ridge Road. Davis Brook runs north through three quarters of a mile of forest before passing under a bridge on Mann Road and then joining the Little Ossipee River.
Granny Kent Pond is located in northern Shapleigh between Mann Road and Newfield Road. The shores of this 53 acre pond are completely developed with homes and camps around its entire length. A small stream drains the pond at its northern and runs through a marsh before crossing Mann Road and flowing into the Little Ossipee River.
Little Poverty Pond is located at the end of Little Poverty Pond Road where about a dozen homes dot its shoreline. This 15 acre pond drains north, forming a small stream that passes several homes as it crosses Newfield Road and Silver Lake Road on its way to join Poverty Pond on Shapleigh’s northern border with Newfield. Poverty Pond is 146 acres in size and is stocked with Brook Trout and Brown Trout by Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The shores of this pond almost completely developed with homes and camps. The outlet of the pond is a small stream located at the end of Silver Lake Road.
Shy Beaver Pond lies adjacent to a large area of forest on Shapleigh’s western border with Waterboro. The pond is 64 acres in area with fairly dense clusters of homes on its eastern shore; the remainder of the surrounding area is undeveloped. A small stream drains out of the ponds northern end, crossing Rainbow Road and flowing through a series of emergent wetlands and crossing into Newfield.
Conant Brook is located north of Garland Road in an undeveloped area of forest. It flows west through a forested wetland and then passes into Waterboro.
Mousam River Watershed
Square Pond lies on Shapleigh’s western border with Acton. The entire shoreline of this 877 acre pond is developed with numerous homes and roads, a gravel pit, and even a Christmas tree farm. There are several small islands in the pond the largest of which is dotted with dozens of small camps. The pond is home to 13 species of fish including landlocked alewives and eels. Water from the pond flows over a small dam at its eastern end and into a small stream which runs for lees than a half mile until it runs into Goose Pond west of Shapleigh Corner Road. While less developed than its neighbor, this smaller ponds shoreline is still moderately built up especially along Totte Road. Several small areas of marsh also border Goose Pond to the north and east. The outlet of the pond passes under a large culvert on Goose Pond Road and runs for 250 feet before flowing into Mousam Lake. At 981 acres in area and four and a half miles in length, Mousam Lake is the largest water body in Shapleigh. It sits on the Shapleigh border with Acton west of Shapleigh Corner Road and just under a mile away from Shapleigh center. The lakes shoreline forms many small inlets and coves, all of which are clustered with homes. Most of development around Mousam Lake is located on the shore, while areas further away are relatively undeveloped. The lake is home to 21 fish species including landlocked salmon and is stocked by Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife with salmon and trout. There are several boat access points along Emory Mills Road, which crosses the lake near its southern end. Mousam Lake is the headwaters of the Mousam River which begins near the village of Emory Mills where the outlet of the lake passes over a dam on Lebanon Road. The river flows southeast past homes along Emory Mills Road. It crosses the power line right of way and flows into Sanford. Pump Box Brook originates in an emergent wetland between Knox Road and Shapleigh Corner Road. It flows north past the outskirts of Shapleigh town center and then turning east through a forested wetland it runs into Mousam Lake.
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