Water level update

The Town of Sutton, our dam caretaker, reports the water level is  4 1/2" from full - we are right where we want to be!

Lake water level 1" below the flash board.

WATERLEVEL UPDATE  August 17th :  Lake water level 1" below the flash board

The dam was opened a short time earlier in the week to bring Steven's Pond up. Dam presently closed with rain in the forecast. Work also done on the road - berm replaced and road leveled.  Questions? Concerns? Ask them here with the MPF.

Waterlevel Update: August 7, 2013

With rain here and there through the summer season, the dam caretaker reports that from the end of June to present we have had the water level at 2 inches over full to full. The goal is to maintain that level until mid to late September and then begin the slow drawdown to take us into winter and control the invasive weeds.

For the last month, the town has been releasing the minimum flow required for the Mumford River from Stevens Pond.   Yesterday morning, the gate at Manchaug was opened 2 inches to supply some extra water for Stevens Pond as their level has dropped from full to 8 to 9 inches below the top board.

Forecasts for the end of this week say 1 to 2 inches of rain are possible, that should keep both ponds full or near full.

Deserving a Standing Ovation - Our Dam Caretakers!

LOOK AT THAT! 
      Here it is July 15th and the lake waterlevel is at FULL!

Three cheers to our dam caretakers from the staff at the Town of Sutton for their diligent work at the dam!

• For getting those flashboards in early!
• For keeping the waterlevel safe during tropical storm Andrea!
• For maintaining FULL through the season!
• For checking the dam and controls daily and being on call 24/7!

All of us with homes, cottages, and camps around the lake, campers at Manchaug Pond's many campgrounds, the near 180 children who visit the YMCA each day for day camp, the many recreational boaters who dock here, those that come to the campground for day swimming,  the boaters and fishermen who access the waters through the Boat Ramp, those who ride by and love the view, and those that live downstream ALL extend our hearty thanks in appreciation!

Bravo!

WATERLEVEL UPDATE: July 7th - FULL!

The waterlevel is at FULL, right at the top of the flashboards.  1 1/2" of rain fell with today's downpours.

Dam caretaker's goal is to maintain FULL through the season - weather permitting.  Questions? Concerns? Ask them here with the MPF.

WATERLEVEL UPDATE: Weds, June 12th

An additional 2 1/4" of rain was received yesterday. Low-level gate is wide open and water running over the flashboards to bring waterlevel down to full.  Long term plan is to maintain FULL through summer season - weather permitting.  

Question? Concerns? Ask them here with the MPF.

WATERLEVEL UPDATE: A BIG MPF thanks to our new dam owner!

A huge Manchaug Pond thank you to the Town of Sutton, our new dam owner, for safely bringing us through tropical storm Andrea. Town staff check and adjusted the dam and waterlevel before, during and after the storm, which meant more than once on Saturday when the most rainfall was realized.

A view of the flow from the Manchaug Pond dam this morning.

We came into this tropical storm at a lower waterlevel allowing us to accept the storm rainfall thereby preventing flooding around the lake and downstream.  

This morning, the low-level gate was opened a few inches more to bring us down in anticipation of the next round of rain and to accommodate the runoff flowing in from the watershed. Once we are past tomorrow and the threat of more rain, the town intends to keep the waterlevel at full  all summer long -  providing the weather cooperates.

Questions? Complaints?   Comment here and we will get you an answer.

Flow at Stevens Pond dam is 8-9 " above their flashboards.

Water rising! Check your docks, boats and shoreline!

If you haven't, it is time to bail the boats! One lake resident reports bailing at 10 pm, 3 am and again at 5 as a good 4 -5 inches hit the rain gauge.

From 3:30 pm yesterday to 8:00 am this morning the waterlevel has risen 14 inches.  Water is now flowing over the flashboards and is white-water coming out the low-level gate of the dam. With watershed soils saturated, we expect the level to keep rising.

Manchaug the Reservoir is at work!

WATERLEVEL UPDATE Friday, June 7th: Still below the flashboards!

As of 3:30 p.m. today, with only 1 inch of rain received since midnight, the waterlevel remains below the flashboards. Yesterday we had 2 1/2" of board showing and room for another board. The dam owner opened the low level gate this morning to accommodate runoff from the watershed and the expected rainfall from tropical storm Andrea.

Questions? Concerns? Ask them here with the MPF.

Manchaug Pond - Ready for the Summer Season!

Gate Closed: Let the melting begin.

Wind Gusts as Hurricane Irene Nears

Over 3 1/2 inches of rain in the rain gauge overnight with power lost and restored was the situation as Hurricane Irene approaches.

But now just one hour since this photo was taken, the rain continues to be heavy with the winds gusts tearing through the trees and the power has just gone out once again. The stormwater work done around the lake, of catch basins, infiltration areas and rain gardens, has made all the difference to reduce flooding and keep sediment from entering the lake.

and now the power is out once again....

Waterlevel Going Down. Hurricane Irene on the Way!

Forecasters are tracking Hurricane Irene expecting the storm to hit Manchaug Pond bringing with it wind and rain.  Talk is of wind up to 150 mph and 8 inches of rain.

The damowner has secured permission from MassDEP to adjust the waterlevel accordingly.  The MPA/MPF has been notified the waterlevel will be taken down one foot from yesterday's level.

If you haven't already, today would be a good day to take out your boats and tomorrow, batten down the hatches (which includes lawn chairs, umbrellas, and the like.)

Rain and Waterlevel

Last night we received over 2 inches of rain here on Manchaug Pond.  Saturated soils in the watershed are making for plenty of runoff which is causing the waterlevel of the lake to come up very quickly.

Sacred Sunday

Pack away the snowshoes!

The dramatic seasonal change which occurs at this time each year has begun here on Manchaug Pond. Where this winter the lake provided many opportunities for snow shoeing, ice fishing and snowmobiling, the warmer temps and yesterday's rain and wind are opening up our summer playground.


With considerable melting and run-off from the watershed the lake waterlevel is rising fast!

IRS Decision in ... Foundation Declared Public Charity!

MPA President reports the anxiously-awaited, official letter from the government concerning the Manchaug Pond Foundation has been received!  Remember the MPA membership voted twice in 2009 to proceed with a 501c3 for Manchaug Pond with paperwork filed last October 19. 

Here are the highlights of the letter:
 
"We are pleased to inform you that upon review of your application for tax exempt status we have determined that you are exempt form Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3)... You are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts... We determined that you are a public charity..." 

A Pair of Herons

As the water evaporates, exposing the wall in the channel, a pair of herons drop in to survey the area.

Sutton Town Warrant of Interest to Manchaug Pond

Yesterday gray skies filled the day with a bit of rain here and there. Minutes ago a rain shower brought a bit of hail and now the sun is shining.

http://www.suttonma.org/Pages/index

Of interest to Manchaug Pond are a few items on the Sutton town meeting warrant: Article 12 is the annual appropriation for the management of the state public access ramp and Article 14 and 15 allow for the small installation of hydroelectric by special permit of the Planning Board.

Click the link or post title to bring you to the town website and then click to see the entire warrant to read it for yourself.

The members of the Manchaug Pond Association were present at the Planning Board public hearing when the hydroelectric power article was discussed. Personally, I found it very interesting that not a dam owner or potential dam buyer was in attendance and further I have heard word on the street that this article was brought by a potential dam owner, but in reality the Planning Board opened the hearing explaining that the Board was bringing the article for town consideration at the urging of the Town Administrator to address concerns at Manchaug Pond. Sutton has close to 20 dams within it's boundaries which would all fall under the bylaw.

Flow Reduced. Rule Curve Being Followed to Maintain Waterlevel

Yesterday we see the flow leaving Manchaug Pond has been greatly reduced. The MPA understands that the dam continues to be owned and controlled by the Douglas mill owner - nothing has changed.

MassDEP and Sutton Conservation Commission continue to monitor and regulate the flow for downstream and the lake area itself.

And at a minimum flashboards needed to go in by April 1 (which they did, :)) and the waterlevel outlined in the 1930 rule curve is to be followed.