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Resort representative urges town to raise pond for snowmaking; board directs two blocks reinstalled and tighter communication
Summary
After the pond was lowered unexpectedly, a resort representative told the Waterville Valley Select Board the drop threatens snowmaking capacity. The board agreed to reinstall two dam blocks for a short-term boost and set a regular communications protocol between resort staff and town operations.
Tim, who spoke during the privilege-of-the-floor period, told the Waterville Valley Select Board that crews drained the town pond earlier in the week and the water level fell to "14 72.5," leaving roughly 1,400,000 fewer gallons available for snowmaking. He said the resort plans large snowmaking runs during an incoming cold snap and needs sustained pond levels to supply pumps.
Board members and staff described different expectations about timing. The chair said the board had planned a baseline drawdown under the dam’s operator manual and expected the resort to give two to three days’ notice before heavy snowmaking so the town could reinstall flashboards ("blocks"). Tim and resort-aligned speakers said they expected blocks would be left in place until told otherwise or that they would receive a phone call before removal.
Members cited technical and safety constraints. A long-tenured dam operator, Nate (referenced during discussion), warned that blocks can freeze in place in very cold conditions and that pulling multiple blocks during a high-flow event can bend the lifting hook and trigger flashboards. Board members stressed the town must follow the established operating and maintenance (O&M) manual and protect dam infrastructure and downstream interests.
To reduce near-term risk to winter operations, the board directed staff to reinstall two blocks on each side to raise the pond toward the O&M target, keep them in place for a couple of weeks while the resort runs snowmaking, and monitor downstream conditions. Board members also instructed staff to improve communications between resort representatives (Marissa was identified as the resort contact) and town operations (Megan), proposing routine Monday/Wednesday/Friday updates and a shared communication thread so any planned removal of blocks is announced in advance.
The board emphasized caveats: if weather forecasts forecast a rapid warm-up or a major wet event that could cause uncontrolled flow, the town must prioritize dam safety and pull blocks as needed. The board asked staff to report back on this arrangement at the Dec. 17 meeting.
The discussion did not produce a formal written amendment to the O&M manual at the meeting; members agreed this is a longer-term topic for water-rights or easement discussions.
Quotes
"The pond was drained on Monday … we're down to 14 72.5 right now at the pond," Tim said, urging clearer advance notice when the resort plans big snowmaking runs.
"If we're planning to take it back out, there would be communication going, ‘hey, we're gonna take boards out on Monday,’" the chair said, urging a shared notification process.
What happens next
Staff will reinstall two blocks immediately to raise the pond to the O&M level, monitor inflow versus pump rates over the coming cold snaps, and report back at the board's next regular meeting in two weeks. The board also asked staff to formalize a communications cadence with the resort and to include pond operations and any technical limitations in upcoming discussions about water rights and the dam easement.
