Public Access
Public access is limited to approved trails established to provide recreational access while protecting the watershed and the public drinking water supply.
Please follow a Carry In, Carry Out policy. All trash and personal belongings must be removed from the watershed when you leave.
Dogs are welcome but must remain on a leash at all times. Anyone bringing a dog into the watershed must carry waste removal bags and promptly clean up after their pet.
Watershed Rules & Regulations
To protect the public drinking water supply, the following activities are strictly prohibited:
- Boating
- Tree cutting
- Fires of any kind, at any time
- Camping
- Any activity that may damage, degrade, or contaminate the watershed, surrounding land, or public water supply.
These activities are not permitted at any Kittery Water District public water supply reservoir, including:
- Boulter Pond
- Middle Pond
- Folly Pond
- Bell Marsh Reservoir (Kittery’s water supply)
- Chase’s Pond & Welch’s Pond (York’s water supply)
Watershed ATV Permit
Watershed ATV permits are available only to residents served by the Kittery and York Water Districts, including:
- Kittery
- Kittery Point
- Eliot
- York
- Cape Neddick
Apply Online
Complete the ONLINE WATERSHED ATV PERMIT APPLICATION
The QR code links directly to the mobile version of the application for easy access from your phone.
Printable Application
Download the Printable Watershed ATV Permit Application
Watershed Brochure
Click here to load the 2024 Watershed Brochure
February 3, 2023
Cooperation on the Trails
TO: YWD / KWD Watershed ATV Permit Holders & General Public
Subject: Combined Efforts on Trail Maintenance
With the recent snow and ice storm that moved through the area, the damage was felt and seen throughout both York and Kittery’s Watershed. Heavy winds whipped through forests that never had a chance to shed the snow from their branches. While damage could certainly have been worse, Mother Nature took a toll on many of the Watershed Trails. The number of downed trees made travel difficult, with many areas temporarily impassable, other than on foot. York Water District took the lead in getting their crews into the woods to begin clearing damage and reopening the trails to all travel. Kittery Water District soon followed suit, after receiving the word from Gary Stevens that the trails needed attention. This type of communication and teamwork between the 2 districts is common practice, and not at all surprising. It is something that we can all be proud of and should not take for granted.
Something that did surprise me, or rather truly impressed me, was the actions of members of the York Fish and Game Club. Without receiving notification or requests for assistance from either Water District, several members took it upon themselves to jump on their 4-wheelers, armed with chainsaws, and took to the trails. Kent Winters, Bobby Crowell, John Lewis and Douglas Richard were all “caught” volunteering by Robbie Henson while doing a watershed patrol. The group were slowly making their way from blowdown to blowdown, cutting and clearing as they went. Alan Covel was spotted working as well, and we have good reason to believe that several other permits holders were generously volunteering. Their hard work and kind efforts saved the Crews from the Kittery and York Water Districts several miles of travel and hours of work. These gentlemen volunteered their time and their own equipment to reopen trails on land that they clearly respect and appreciate having open to public use.
The York Water District and the Kittery Water District greatly appreciate the efforts put forth by this group of riders. These are exactly the type of people that we hope to see enjoying the watershed. The cooperation that they displayed went a long way in opening up trails after a storm and goes a long way in keeping the trails open to the public in the future.
January 26, 2023
To: YWD/KWD Watershed ATV Permit Holders
Subject: Reckless ATV Operation on Water District Property
The York and Kittery Water Districts have identified an increase in dangerous and reckless operation of ATVs on our watershed properties.
Documented activities observed recently:
- Fishtailing
- Off Trail Riding
- Spinning/Donuts
- Operating Under the Influence
- Speeding, and more
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In addition to the safety risk, damage to management roads, trails, and landings create additional soil erosion, water quality deterioration, and financial burden for both Districts.
If these actions continue, the Districts will be forced to consider enforcement action including, but not limited to ATV permit suspension, size/power restrictions, night or seasonal closures, and trail closure.
Use of the YWD/KWD watershed trails is permitted for the enjoyment of all, and responsible use is critical to keep this area open now and into the future. If you see something, say something.
More information, including our watershed rules of use can be found here: Watershed | York Water District
Questions may be submitted by reply to this email, or by calling the Resource Protection Office at (207) 363-2265.
