Starting Off in Good Shape
As of this writing, we are in good shape with Great Pond’s Village dam 2.28″ above full pond with one gate opened three feet after the recent rains. Basically, the water is just 2.28″ deep going over the top of the stone spillway. Long Pond and its Wings Mill dam is 0.96″, basically 1″, below full pond with gates opened 18″ and 3′ respectfully. Salmon/McGrath is right at 2.16″ above full pond with its single gate opened just the mandated 1 cfs flow. Our neighbors on Messalonskee are presently 8.88″ below due to maintenance and their hydroelectric demands.
The forecast for the next ten days is just 1.32″ of precipitation and with a long-term forecast calling for 21% less precipitation for both May and June followed by 30% less for August and September. All translates into another Chamber of Commerce summer, if we can believe our forecasters!! As a result, your Dams Committee is trying to start off this summer with all of the ponds at 3″ above full pond. If you recall, at 3″ above full, the water level shouldn’t float off any one’s dock and more importantly, not flood out any of our native hummock style loon nests.
Your Dams Committee has another busy summer with a total rebuild of both hemlock gates as well as the driveway at Wings Mill. All of the other dams, although in need of routine maintenance, remain in good shape — a relative term here in Maine!
If you have a particular question regarding our dams or water levels, please email your inquiry to dickgreenan@outlook.com. Enjoy your summer and welcome back!
Dick
Dick Greenan is the Rome representative on the Belgrade Lakes Watershed Dams Committee. He submitted this report on May 9, 2025.
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