Forget the Long Term Forecast
Well, we can throw out the long-term forecast that your Dams Committee has not really been following, but somewhat, taking into consideration. But with the aforementioned long-term forecast’s prediction of 26% less precipitation for this summer and skirting a drought, we think we can now move on with some confidence.
As we cannot afford to discard any data in this business, we have learned to take everything with a grain of salt and some days, just hope for the best! As I pen this week’s column, we have endured what seems like endless showers for the past 10 days, which in reality, was just 1.6″ of precipitation. We really feel for those who have been camping out in what feels like a monsoon season! Our hats are off to you!! But sunshine is on its way!
Where we were trying to conserve the waters that Mother Nature had endowed us with, the gloves are now off!! With all of our pond water levels above full pond, it’s time for your Dams Committee to chill, relax and handle these afternoon showers as the nuisance they really are. The water level at Great Pond’s Village dam is now just 1.8″ above full pond with the main gate opened as of this writing, just 6″. Long Pond’s Wings Mill dam is at 3″ above full pond with just one gate opened 1′ to move some of this rain water downstream to the Kennebec. Salmon/McGrath is, because of the mandated 1 cfs 24/7 flow, 2.88″ also above full, which is great. Messalonskee Lake, a.k.a. Snow Pond, is 2.64″ below full pond, due to our electricity generation needs.
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 your family, your vacation, and our beautiful Belgrade Lakes — but keep your umbrellas handy! There I go again — does anyone still use umbrellas????
Dick Greenan is chairman of the Belgrade Lakes Watershed Dams Committee. He submitted this report on July 25, 2024.
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