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Belgrade Area Dams Committee reports below‑full lake levels, cites drought outlook and schedules DOT review
Summary
At its April 13 meeting the Belgrade Area Dams Committee reported multiple ponds measuring several inches below full, said they are raising levels per DEP guidance but remain rain‑dependent, and noted maintenance issues including a Salmon datalogger repair and berm settlement; a MaineDOT site visit was requested for the Village Dam emergency spillway.
Belgrade Area Dams Committee members met April 13, 2025, at the Belgrade Town Office and reported several lakes were measuring below full pool while the group described a cautious plan to raise levels only as allowed under state guidance and depending on rainfall.
Craig Alexander, chair of the Belgrade Area Dams Committee, reported that Great Pond measured 246.85 feet, about 10.2 inches below full, and that the gate was open about a half‑inch to allow flow. Committee members also reported Long Pond at 237.4 feet (about 9 inches below full; gates closed), Salmon Lake at 277.5 feet (about 6 inches below full; gate closed, valve open at 1 cubic foot per second), and Messalonskee Lake at 234.73 feet (about 8 inches below full).
The committee discussed its lake‑level strategy now that the post‑April 1 operating window has begun. Members said they are incrementally raising water levels where feasible but will keep gates at minimum flows until target levels are met. Meeting participants cited a NOAA outlook noting drought conditions and an estimated 26% reduction in precipitation compared with average, and reiterated that raising levels before April 1 was restricted by guidance from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Dick Greenan reported two maintenance items affecting Salmon Lake. First, the Salmon datalogger failed to report remotely; Greenan restarted the unit on site but could not sustain a connection and shipped the logger to the manufacturer, which has placed the unit in its service queue and expects to return it in a couple of weeks. Second, Greenan said sink holes in the Salmon berm are holding but have shown some settlement; the committee will repack the holes using an on‑site stockpile and continue monitoring in accordance with the geotechnical recommendations received in the fall.
On old business, the committee asked Greenan to coordinate a site visit with MaineDOT to review possible options for the Village Dam emergency spillway and to gather DOT concerns. Members said the visit is intended to inform next steps for that structure.
Under new business the committee noted that Sidney approved the dams budget at its town meeting. Oakland’s meeting is scheduled for May 5 and Mt. Vernon’s meeting occurs in June. Members said they have received calls from residents concerned about low levels and reiterated DEP’s April 1 timing restriction; because snowpack melted earlier than usual, the committee said it remains dependent on rainfall to restore target levels.
Guest Gordon Woods, representing East Pond, told the committee East Pond measured 263.7 feet — about 4 inches below full — and reported the gates closed with roughly 8 inches of water on the boards.
The committee accepted the March meeting minutes (motion by Tom Bennett; second by Ted Fontaine; transcript records "all in favor") and adjourned at 4:16 p.m. (motion by Tom Bennett; second by Ted Fontaine; "all in favor"). The committee scheduled its next meeting for Monday, May 11 at 4:00 p.m. at the Belgrade Town Office.
