Pond Levels Way Up
We’re starting summer this week with our pond water levels way above where we would like them to be. As I pen this week’s column, we’re having another downpour, so unfortunately the water levels that we talk about here will be almost a week old but that is the status quo with weeklies.
Weather forcecasters predicted 0.27″ of precipitation for the day, and by midafternoon, we had already received 0.98″. According to our daily data logger reports (below), the Village spillway dam is 3″ above full pond with Long Pond. At least at the Wings Mill Dam, the level is 6.6″ below full with both gates still wide open. Whereas at my dock, 9 miles north [of that dam], we are 3″ above full and back on its way up. Last year at this time, both Great and Long Ponds, as well as Salmon/McGrath had all of their gates shut down, with the exception of the Salmon dam which has a minimum 1 cfs mandate. Our neighbors on Snow Pond are also inundated but remarkably are 3″ below full, due to their electricity generation needs and the fact that they can handle a ton of water!
As we are still experiencing localized flooding, managing water levels as precisely as we would like is just wishful thinking. There are always windows of partial sunshine in these forecasts so, as always, Mainers will find ways to make the best out of things. My mother used to say, “When you’re dealt lemons, make lemonade!” A very bright and astute woman! And believe me, we had our weeks of rain growing up on Winnipesaukee.
If you have a particular questions regarding our dams and/or water levels, please email your inquiry to dickgreenan@outlook.com, and we will try to answer your question either in this column or via email.
Enjoy the holidays and try to stay dry!
Dick Greenan is chairman of the Belgrade Lakes Watershed Dams Committee. He submitted this report on June 28, 2023.
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