Carlton Pond WPA

The original dam at Carlton Pond was a rock structure built in 1850 to provide water power for a sawmill operation. In 1972, the Fish and Wildlife Service reconstructed the dam to maintain the integrity of the structure and to assure continued maintenance of the open water, marsh, and wetland areas created by the original dam. A natural overflow near the structure provides an additional escape route for high water thereby affording extra protection for the dam and control structures. A right-of-way provides access to the dam for maintenance and public use.

Carlton Pond is one of the few areas in the state which provides nesting habitat for black terns, which are on the endangered species list maintained by the State of Maine. State and federal non-game biologists and researchers have been monitoring black tern use of Carlton Pond WPA and other areas for several years in an attempt to better determine the species" population status.

Carlton Pond WPA has historically provided good nesting habitat for waterfowl and other birds. To date, 33 bird species have been observed using refuge lands and waters. Many bird species that use Carlton Pond have been listed by the Partners-in-Flight organization as species that are declining. Slender Blue Flag, a species listed as Threatened by the State of Maine, has been sighted at Carlton Pond.

Directions:
Carlton Pond WPA is a satellite refuge managed by the staff of Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. To get to Carlton Pond, turn east from U.S. 202 in Troy, Maine onto Maine Route 220. Follow Route 220 for about three miles until Bog Road is seen on your right. Bog Road crosses over Carlton Pond after about * mile. A small parking area exists on the right at this point.

To get to the headquarters of Sunkhaze Meadows NWR, exit Interstate 95 at Exit 50 in Orono, Maine (Kelley Road). Turn right off the exit ramp to a blinking light at U.S. 2. Turn left on U.S. 2 and continue east through Orono to Old Town Maine. The headquarters is located at 1168 Main Street (U.S. 2), about 1/4 mile past the "Welcome to Old Town" sign. Directions to all units managed by the refuge may be obtained at the headquarters.

Address:
1168 Main Street
Old Town, ME 04468

Phone:
207-827-6138, ext. 17

Email:
Tom_Comish@fws.gov

Website:
Carlton Pond WPA

Organization:
FWS - Fish and Wildlife Service