WATERFORD — Representatives from the Crooked River Initiative outlined several projects Wednesday which aim to promote the conservation of the waterway.

The discussion took place at the Wilkins House as part of an ongoing series of public meetings regarding the approximately 50-mile long river, which flows from Songo Pond in Bethel to Sebago Lake. The initiative includes land trusts, water districts and landowners interested in conserving the river.

Kirsten Ness, water resources specialist with the Portland Water District, said the river’s watershed encompasses nine towns and 120 square miles. She said the water district is interested in the quality of the river because it makes up 38 percent of the surface inflow into Sebago Lake, the water source for the greater Portland area.

Ness said the watershed is largely forested, which allows greater filtration of runoff and higher quality water in the river. However, she said this state also presents a potential risk to the watershed.

“A lot of the forest in this watershed is privately owned, which means it can be developed,” she said.

Ness identified four projects designed to protect the river, including two specifically focused on forest conservation. The Northern Forest Watershed Incentives Project looks to give incentives to private landowners to encourage them to keep their land in forest, with the main goal of connecting upstream landowners with downstream water consumers. Another project looks to establish forest stewardship plans to provide a resource for land trusts and landowners.

The Lakes Region Community Greenprint Project assesses the priorities for open space use and natural resource protection on the lower part of the river, identifying drinking water and surface water as key points. A 2010 stream crossing barrier survey identified obstacles to fish passage, marking 222 culverts, 72 bridges, 27 dams, and four natural barriers. Ness said the data can be used for future projects such as the enlargement of culverts.

Betty Williams, project manager at the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, said the district and the Western Foothills Land Trust have applied for a grant to survey the entire watershed for erosion problems. She said if they are successful, they may be able to receive another grant for erosion repair and community outreach.

“It will give us a better idea on what we can do to better manager and protect this watershed,” she said.

Matt Craig and Will Plumley of the Presumpscot River Watershed Coalition also spoke on the advantages of forming a coalition for conservation purposes. Plumley said the coalition was formed in 2004, and addresses both small needs such as signage and larger projects such as the Sebago to Sea Trail, which he said could not be undertaken by a single group.

Craig said a coalition is also more likely to receive grant money than an individual organization and better suited to handle the variety of concerns that arise from the large area of the watershed.

“They’re built locally. They’re built organically. And they’re built around local needs and priorities,” Craig said.

[email protected]