PUBLIC NOTICE
“2024-25 FALL LAKE DRAWDOWN & WINTER STORAGE ACTIVITIES”
Throughout the year our Dams Committee is actively working and maintaining water levels on our lakes. However, there are three planned activities that create public interest. These are Lake Drawdown and Winter Management activities, Spring Refill, and our Summer Water Level Management practices. The Committee is now preparing for FALL LAKE DRAWDOWN activities. Pursuant to the Belgrade Area Dams Committee’s Water Management Plan, Section I – FALL Draw downs and WINTER STORAGE of the plan specifies that:
1. “The primary objective of fall and winter water management is to lower the lakes to accommodate increased rainfall and runoff which occurs in the fall and again in late winter and early spring.” FALL DRAWDOWN ACTIVITIES WILL DEPEND ON THE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL RECEIVED IN THIS AREA.
2. Optimum drawdown levels:
Salmon Lake - 1.0 to 1.5 feet below Spillway
Great Pond - 1.5 to 2.0 feet below spillway
Long Pond - 1.5 to 2.0 feet below Spillway
3. Water level limits – At no time shall the lakes be drawn down lower than:
Salmon Lake - 1.5 feet below Spillway
Great Pond - 2.5 feet below Spillway
Long Pond - 2.5 feet below Spillway
4. General management programs: Draw downs must end by October 31st to avoid adversely affecting fish and wildlife.
Therefore, whatever lake level is achieved by October 31st will be the lowest level at which the lake may be kept throughout the winter, unless an unusual
amount of rainfall in September and October force emergency provision for additional drawdown. Note: While there are more restrictive requirements as to what levels must be achieved by various dates, due to significant public interest in providing for lake use through Columbus Day weekend, the Dams Committee has and will continue to try to meet
the needs of lake-side residents and, depending on water levels and the weather will endeavor to manage water levels to minimize any impacts through Columbus Day
(October 14th) each year.
This “Public Notice” is provided as an on-going attempt by the Belgrade Area Dams Committee’s to keep you informed of their water level management activities for our lakes.
If you have any questions about these activities, please contact your Town Office.
Belgrade Area Dams Committee News and Announcements
September 15, 2024 - Messalonskee’s Water Level Drop:
Essex Hydro had dropped Messalonskee’s water level down to 10” below full pond to replace their spillway flashboards. Unfortunately, this has resulted in numerous phone calls and emails regarding their low water levels, boats stuck on their boat lifts, etc. As you’ll see in the attached Snow Pond daily data logger, the gates in the Oakland Dam are now closed and Essex’s intention is to bring the water levels back up to full pond or thereabouts, but with only .18” of precipitation forecasted for the next 10 days and all of the upstream dam gates closed, Messalonskee is going to be down around 11” until the Belgrade Area Dams Committee begins their 2024-5 Fall Winter Drawdown scheduled to begin on or about October 14th. At which time Messalonskee will be receiving adequate flow to fill back up. If possible, the Dams Committee will initiate the Fall Drawdown a few days early in order to help out Messalonskee.
The Dams Committee is an inter-local governmental group of volunteers appointed to serve by the participating municipalities of Belgrade, Oakland, Rome, Sidney and Mount Vernon. Committee members oversee the maintenance and operation of Belgrade's three dams: Long Pond/Wings Mills, Great Pond/Village, and Salmon Lake. At its monthly meetings on the second Monday of the month, the Committee addresses lake levels, maintenance and operations of the three dams. The Dams Committee has 1 Sidney member who serves.
Town of Sidney’s Dams Committee Member
Ronda Snyder, Term Expires 9/13/24