Lake Levels Low for August
We had an interesting question this past week from a Long Pond resident: “You stated that the water level at Long Pond’s Wings Mill dam was right at full pond but our ‘measuring rock’ is practically totally out of water. And we’re seeing the algae stains on the rocks showing how much the water has dropped. It seems that the water level is too low for this time of year?”
Well, Eric, the top of upper Long Pond is 9 miles from the Wings Mill Dam and Long Pond is essentially tilting with a gradient of about ½″ per mile, sloping south. To put things into perspective, as I write this week’s column, the dam at Wings Mill is registering -1.8″ below full yet in upper Long Pond’s Tracy Cove, we register a full 3″ below full. As stated previously, we are essentially 6″ below the water levels we had on Memorial Day. Wind of course will add an additional variable. These are just a few of the things that the volunteers on your Dams Committee get to fret about! All you should have to ‘worry’ about is, do I put on SPF 30 or 50? Or, do we go to Day’s before or after lunch?
Regarding the above water stains on the shoreline rocks, they are mostly tiny black lichens and blue-green algae that form a “black zone” on stable rocks near the high water line, or just above the high water line in areas that are wetted by wave spray but not regularly submerged. Lichens, a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungus, are known to tolerate extreme conditions (i.e. sun, ice) and can colonize bare rock surfaces, breaking them down and contributing to soil formation.
Due to the total lack of rain for the past ten days, the water level at Great Pond’s Village dam is still holding at a meager ½″ below full pond with the main gate still closed. Of course, those of you up by Bear Springs Camps five miles away, are seeing water levels below that. Salmon/McGrath is now 3.6″ below full because of this drought and because of the mandated 1 cfs 24/7 flow. Messalonskee, a.k.a. Snow Pond is still holding right at 5.52″ below full. Incidentally, there is no precipitation forecasted for the next ten days! The powers to be are not talking about a drought as of this writing, but we are in one for sure! You’re going to see more rocks and new props as this summer progresses. Observing the 200′ no-wake zone will help now in more ways than one!
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 this incredibly beautiful weather. Please stay safe!
Dick Greenan is the Rome representative on the Belgrade Lakes Watershed Dams Committee. He submitted this report on July 30, 2025.
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