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Belgrade Area Dams Committee to raise pond levels after April 1; Wings Mills gate repair planned
Summary
The committee agreed to keep winter storage through April 1 and then gradually raise water levels (targeting 12 inches below full on Long and Great Ponds). Members scheduled a Wings Mills gate repair this spring (approx. $25,000) and noted East Pond directors may hold back outflow due to drought.
The Belgrade Area Dams Committee met March 9, 2025, at the Belgrade Town Office and agreed to maintain winter storage until April 1, after which members will gradually raise levels on area ponds, targeting about 12 inches below full on Long Pond and Great Pond.
Chair Craig Alexander reported Great Pond at 246.34 feet (about 16.3 inches below full, gate open 6 inches). Committee member Tom Bennett said Long Pond was at 236.9 feet (about 16 inches below full, Gate 1 open 14 inches). Ted Fontaine reported Salmon Lake at 276.9 feet (about 13 inches below full, Gates 3–5 turning more than 1 cubic foot per second). Dick Greenan said Messalonskee Lake measured 234.8 feet (7.2 inches below full, gates open). These readings framed the committee’s decision to wait until April 1 before beginning controlled increases.
Committee members discussed operations and maintenance. Mike Belanger said he would provide the latest monthly heat-tape usage data for the Village Dam and that recent checks showed roughly a 33% reduction in wattage usage compared with typical readings; he will report back with the detailed monthly figures. Greenan said he had attended Belgrade and Rome selectmen and budget meetings to answer questions about the committee’s proposed budget and found no issues reported by the selectmen.
The committee directed follow-up on two infrastructure items. Greenan will contact MaineDOT to solicit its assessment of a proposal to close off the Village Dam’s emergency spillway. Craig Alexander said he will contact Steve Liberty to schedule the planned Wings Mills gate repair this spring; the work is expected to occur after spring runoff stabilizes water levels, and the repair was budgeted at approximately $25,000.
A guest from East Pond reported gates open and the pond level at 263.3 feet (about 8 inches below full). East Pond’s Board of Directors is discussing holding back outflow in response to ongoing drought conditions; the committee recorded the report for situational awareness rather than taking immediate action.
Administrative business included approval of the February meeting minutes (motion by Tom Bennett, second by Mike Belanger, approved unanimously) and adjournment at 4:11 p.m. (motion by Tom Bennett, second by Mike Belanger, approved unanimously). The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at the Belgrade Town Office.
