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David Priest (Dwinal Pond) Wildlife Management Area
Dwinal Pond: A Wetland Outing with an Ecological Story
Discover
Dwinal Pond Wildlife Management Area offers a water-based introduction to a particularly rich wetland landscape in Lee and Winn. Also named for David Priest, the area combines a flowage, stream channels and adjoining forest. A carefully prepared canoe or kayak outing can make those relationships visible from the water, while a brief look from the public access can still introduce the setting. Choose the scale of the visit around current conditions and leave the wetland's quiet character intact.
The wildlife department distinguishes two approaches that serve different purposes. Springfield Road, east from Route 168 at East Winn, reaches the dam-site and small-watercraft access near the northwestern end. Gott Brook Road serves upland ground and is not the recommended way to reach the open flowage. That distinction is useful before leaving home: match the entrance to a water outing rather than assuming any road beside the management area reaches the same destination.
Biologist Allen Starr's account traces part of the wetland's history to a wooden cribwork dam and dike on Mattakeunk Stream. His description also records habitat work beyond the water-control structure, including nest-box maintenance, food plantings and efforts to reduce erosion from recreational trails. Those details give the place a managed history. Enjoying the water depends in part on decisions made on the surrounding land, where keeping soil out of the stream and maintaining vegetation can benefit the wetland below.
The Maine Natural Areas Program explains another source of the landscape's variety. Calcareous bedrock influences the groundwater feeding parts of the complex, supporting plant communities associated with richer conditions. Forested cedar wetland gives way to more open fen and sedge meadow along the broader drainage. That progression lends interest to an otherwise gentle-looking scene. A change in tree height or density can indicate a change in the conditions supporting the plants, even when the water appears continuous.
One of the area's conservation stories concerns Clayton's copper, a butterfly associated with shrubby cinquefoil. Maine's wildlife species account explains that the plant supports the caterpillars and also provides nectar for adults. Suitable stands are uncommon, and the presence of the plant alone does not mean a butterfly colony is present. That close relationship offers a useful reminder during a visit: a patch of vegetation can be important in ways that a passing observer may never see. Leave plants and insects undisturbed while enjoying the larger habitat.
The management area's commemorative name has its own origin. The state acquired the property in 1988 and dedicated it in November 1990 to retired warden supervisor David C. Priest, Sr. Knowing both names helps connect maps and descriptions encountered while planning. They refer to one destination, whose pond, wetlands and forest belong in the same outing.
For a water visit, prepare the craft, equipment and return plan before launching, and keep any observation well away from animals. Work with the channels and views available on the chosen route, without landing in sensitive vegetation to improve a photograph. A wider image can show the relationship between open water and its wooded margin; a second view can record the changing height of the vegetation. Dwinal rewards attention to those connections. Its interest lies as much in the systems sustaining the wetland as in any single sight along the way.
Fun facts
- Dwinal Pond WMA was dedicated to David C. Priest, Sr. in November 1990.
- Shrubby cinquefoil supports both the caterpillars and adult feeding of Clayton’s copper.
Before you go
- Use the Springfield Road access for the flowage; Gott Brook Road serves a different upland approach.
- Check current water conditions and prepare a complete return plan before launching.
- Observe wetland plants and wildlife without landing in sensitive vegetation.
- Use both David Priest and Dwinal Pond names when matching current maps and directions.
Capture
- Show the relationship between open water and the wooded margin without approaching wildlife.
- Use differences in vegetation height to suggest the variety of wetland habitat.
Social
Dwinal Pond and David Priest identify the same management area.
Different entrance roads serve the flowage and the uplands.
The wetland has a history of water-control structures and habitat work.
Groundwater influenced by calcareous bedrock supports distinctive vegetation.
A butterfly’s relationship with one shrub gives a small plant larger meaning.
Look for changes in woodland height from the public route.
A quiet water outing needs a clear return plan.
Leave the wetland’s sensitive places undisturbed.
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