A Close Look at the Dam Gate and Spillway

The following photos were sent in by the MPA President and his daughter:
The gate...




The spillway...

How's that for a close-up!
You should also know that the MPA has secured the records on the dam from the State Office of Dam Safety for the past 20 or so years. These include reports on all inspections, maintenance, repairs and emergency plans.

Manchaug Pond's Rocky Shoreline - Area 7

The State Boat Ramp

Manchaug Pond has a special designation by the state as a "Great Pond". Not all lakes have this designation and what makes our pond special is that the public has access to its waters therefore preventing the dam from being breached. (The state is currently of the opinion that breaching old dams, which were needed in the past by many mills in the area, is a good alternative both for the environment and instead of costly repairs and maintenance.) The boat ramp gives the public access to the Pond. Our ramp is state property which for many years was managed by the state through the Public Access Board and the staff of the Douglas State Forest.


Many years ago, the MPA membership petitioned the Town of Sutton to provide more involvement/patroling of the ramp specifically preventing parking on Torrey, Parker and Irma Jones Roads when the boat ramp is full, providing a port-o-let for boaters who spend the day at Blueberry Island, and keeping the boat ramp off limits in the wee hours of the night. Sutton agreed to manage and still does with a gatekeeper who monitors usage on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Cemetery Commission who mows, and has the port-o-let brought in for users. The Board of Selectman's secretary also registers/monitors the bass fishing clubs which use the lake for tournaments.

The MPA years ago assisted the town with the take over by presenting a feasibility study, pointing out that a fee could be charged to regain the $$ spent for the gatekeeper and port-o-let. The MPA President at the time also secure from the state the gate and a boat for the police department and the MPA donated $$ to equipted the boat with the necessary safety equiptment.

Today's Flow as Viewed from the Dam

A look at the flow from the spillway (dry!), the broken gate (white water) and on to Steven's pond!

Manchaug Pond on Douglas Town Agenda Tuesday Night

Tuesday night the MPA took its request for support on the formation of a municipal watershed district to the Douglas Board of Selectman.
Douglas was already aware of our efforts as well as the grant $$$ we secured recently. State rep. Kujawski had sent them a letter and Chair Shirley Moscynski extend congratulations on our achievement. On the district idea, the board was supportive but looking for more information as to the town's involvement. The MPA gave the petitions signed to date by 85% of the Douglas property owners and those with water rights from Manchaug Pond demonstrating the tremendous support for the Watershed District. We will be meeting with both Douglas and Sutton again with the clerk of Cedar Meadows and providing info other contact info.
If you didn't sign the petition to state your sopport, contact your area rep.

Manchaug Pond -On the Town's Agenda

I almost forgot to tell you! Turn on the TV to the Sutton cable station for the Board of Selectman's meeting to see for yourself ...

... last Tuesday night Manchaug Pond and the MPA were on the agenda of the Sutton's Board of Selectman's meeting - a few times to our surprise!

Third on the agenda, the MPA asked the Town of Sutton to support our move to form a watershed district. MPA Attorney Walter Jabs Jr. came before the Board with the MPA President who also was their representing the MPA, Douglas and water property owners and with the MPA Corresponding Secretary who is a Sutton resident with water rights.

To our pleasant surprise, State Rep. Jennifer Callahan followed us to announce to the town that the MPA had secured a large grant from the state! She was very supportive of our efforts to preserve and improve the water quality of Manchaug Pond. :))

We will be meeting with the Town of Douglas next. I'll let you know how it goes.

This photo appears on the cover of the Grant application!

Today at Waters' Farm Days

Full Day Put in at the Dam

Here's how the wall/channel is looking tonight! We'll watch that in the next few days to show the drop in water level.

The flow from the gate is a roar of white water!

This "screen" was removed with the use of a crane today. When in position it stands in front of the gate to prevent logs and other debrie from hitting the gate, clogging it or traveling through and downstream. Tonight it lies chained and locked waiting to go back in place. Note its companion, the sandbag.


Well, the dam owner is to be commended for its efforts in keeping the water level up so that we could enjoy the lake this summmer. We also applaud the 22 years of daily service Fuddy has given them and us in monitoring the dam and water level. And today, the beginning of the repairs began - we are told that a coffer/temporary dam may be put into place so that the waterlevel will not have to be taken down so low. don't hold me to it though as with all the permits and agencies involved, things can change daily! We again thank the dam owner for all the specialists they have brought in to do the job right and to address the requirements of local, state and federal governments.

Waiting for a Crane!

Word on the dam has it that the workers are waiting for a crane to be brought in to lift the broken part of the gate out of the water. Workers expect that it will be out by the end of the day!

Watch the water flow then! Hear the roar!

Keeping you posted!

The Diver Has Arrived!

Here's a couple photos for you all so that you can take a look for yourself.


The diver is in the water as I write this. See the bubbles in the water-the diver is in the water under those bubbles, see the hose the man on the dam wall is guiding - this goes from the truck carrying air to breathe, warm water to keep his body warm and wires for communication from the truck, etc. to the diver. The company always has a man in the back of the truck with the communication -radio and camera, telling the one, two or more men on the dam how to assist the man in the water. The diver's first task is to remove the sandbags and sheets of kevlar fabric which were used to block the flow earlier in the season when the gate broke.

A good number of vehicles are on the road.
Our MPA photographer reports that unlike other times when work has been done on the dam, the Sutton Police are there directing traffic, officials from the town and state are there overseeing things, and the Sutton Rescue Squad is present. The Town Highway Department also has their superintendent there as he has been instructed by the state to keep the dam at Steven's Pond (the next pond down) fully open to prepare for the increased flow.

Stay tuned! I'll give you the official status report from the dam owner later in the day.

Water Level - The Rush is On!

Monday - No divers. Boards still in.
Tuesday - Caretaker of the dam, Fuddy, called to report he was not sure when R.H. White and the divers would be opening the broken gate as they has other pressing work.
The rest of the spillway boards were taken out so the water should go down considerably - about 12 inches more. Here's yesterday's photos.


Wish I had a digital camera which brought the movement and roar of this water!

Weds. - Fuddy called again to report still no word on when the divers would be here, but Manchaug Pond remains a few inches about Whitin Reservoir which doesn't have a broken gate! We did well this season with a great water level!

I'll keep you posted :)

Water Level Update

Email from a Board Member: "If the lake is to be taken down as previously stated of 15' feet or more, the loss of marine life, problems with wells and the possible leaching of septic, is a very real concern. Surely there has to be some method of water level containment in close proximity to the dam that would allow the work to be done. I would like to hear your thoughts and comments."

Response from the MPA President: "I have been in contact with the spokesman for the dam owner. I have expressed our concerns regarding shallow wells and septic systems. We, the MPA Board of Directors, have drafted a letter faxed and mailed this letter. The dam owner has hired an engineer to put together a proposal of the project and present it to Con-Com and the DCR (Dam Safety). Our letter of concern will be present at the proposal. Last conversation I had with the spokesman for the dam owner was the water level will only to be dropped 5' below the spillway or 9' not 16'. I was assured they will contact all abutters via mailing or hand delivery to the abutters property."

Info from a Sutton Conservation Commission member: "A rep for the dam owner was at the Con Comm meeting last Wed. to secure the drawdown permit from the Town, which we gave them. I requested specifically that they inform all the residents around the Pond and the Army Corps of Engineers and to provide Con Comm with copies of all the permits they also needed from DFW and Office of Dam Safety."

Hope you enjoy this evening's photos.

More on the Water Level!

The dam owner reports today that divers will be brought in on Monday to open the broken gate in order to bring the water level down to an extremely low level to allow for repairs to be made. This opening of the gate is in addition to the boards taken out of the spillway.

It is highly recommended that residents get their boats out of the lake this weekend.

MPA a Winner! Grant Proposal is Funded!

The MPA has received congratulations from the state that our Manchaug Pond Nonpoint Source Improvement Project was recommended for funding! This project will bring storm drains, catch basins, retention gardens, educational programs and much more to the watershed of Manchaug Pond. It is a matching grant funded by the state and matched by the town with work done to the roadways around the lake and at the boat ramp and educational efforts by the association.

Why did we file? Well, it was the recommendation of Lycott Associates who conducted a survey of the weeds and did a water quality survey testing the water coming into the pond from runoff from the watershed. It was the way to go to protect the water quality now and head off weed growth in the future.

Go get'um MPA!

Water Level Coming Down

The aggressive draw down of the lake water level has begun in order to make repairs to the gate. Just got the call from the dam owner: 2 boards are being removed this morning from the spillway which will take the water level down 12 more inches this week. Next Monday this will be repeated.

I'll keep you posted.

Abandoned Not Adrift

The MPA has received information that this yellow boat, adrift in the channel, was brought in by the boat ramp this week. Dumped. Abandoned. If it floats by, could someone get the old numbers off the side (if they have been removed, they are probably still readable) and give the Sutton Police a call.

The boat is not the only "dumping" taking place at the boat ramp... since Sutton went to the bag "Pay-as-you-throw" system at the transfer station, a pick-up was seen dumping plant material/branches in the woods, and larger amounts of litter are being left behind.

If you see it, report it.

Send the message there will be NO dumping at Manchaug.

Adrift

"Will the owner of the yellow and white boat, please move their vehicle!" Just kidding! If you know who owns this boat, give them a call.



It is adrift in the causeway/the old dam. With the lake calm this morning, it is resting peacefully against/on the rocks.

Water Level at 14 Inches Down From Full

We are in good shape for having a broken gate on the dam - 14 inches down from full as of this morning! Whitin Reservoir, another dam controlled by Guilford, is down 12" without a broken gate.

Guildford reports that only 3 boards have been taken off the spillway and they are waiting for the state Office of Dam Safety to tell them when to take another board out.

The MPA has expressed to Guilford's headquarters our concern that a significant drop in the water level will negatively effect wells and septic systems. They are talking with the state and conservation commission about putting up a temporary structure to minimize the impact.

Keeping you posted :)

Fishing Manchaug Pond

Thursday night's catch included 5 nice white perch and about 50 kivers! My husband says he rarely catches white perch so was quite happy. He used worms from the flower beds and the compost pile for bait. All were put back into the lake to catch another day. Nothing was biting Friday or Saturday evening.


Talking about fishing brings to mind the bass tournaments and the boat ramp. You can tell our boat ramp gatekeeper is off for the season (Memorial Day - Labor Day) as twice this week we have heard the roaring voices of the bass fisherman coming through the causeway before 7 a.m. A quick check of the ramp reveals only 7 cars from RI one day and 10 from RI and MA this morning. They are a loud chatty group for so few!

It was only a few years ago that the MPA invited the then Sutton Police Chief John Hebert to our annual meeting and a member asked that the boat ramp be open at 7 a.m. rather than 6 a.m. The Chief agreed that the booming count off of fisherman at 5 on a Sunday morning should be delayed to 7.

Stormdrain Grant - still waiting to hear!

We are still waiting to hear about the awards for the s. 319 Non point Source Pollution Grants -aka Stormdrain Grant.

This will allow/fund the town to put in stormdrains, catch basins, bioretention gardens and the like along Manchaug Road, the boat ramp, and Oak St. and provide educational efforts for those living and working in the watershed.

A View from Area 7

Today's View of the Dam and the Flow

The flow looks the same to me as it has been all week.

Dam Repairs Still Being Planned

Here's a view of how the lake and the dam looked today.











Two boards are out of the spillway and the gate is open a bit as mandated by the State as part of their order to Guilford - concern was the hurricane season and the inability to control the gate and get enough water out in a short period of time.

The MPA President was on the phone quite a bit this week to find out the latest details from all parties involved... Right now - The State has granted Guilford's request to keep the waterlevel up until Labor Day so that we can enjoy the season. (Thank you!) After Labor Day watch the lake waterlevel closely. You may need to take your boats out soon. Guilford has had their engineers out to look at the dam this week, monitoring the situation, calculating the flow and time needed to bring down the lake and waiting for government approval and instructions. The State and the Town of Sutton's Conservation Commission will actually decide the details as to how aggressively (how low and how fast) the water will be taken down, and when that will happen. Guilford is sensitive to the needs and use of the lake by us residents and has asked the government agencies for rulings which best address our concerns to keep the waterlevel as high as possible in the main part of the lake and let the lake fill to normal as soon as possible after repairs are made. Repairs are only expected to take about a week.

Check in here for the latest! I'll let you know when word comes to hitch the boat trailer!

MPA Annual Meeting-Always informative and friendly

Who brought their camera?! I forgot :( Email pictures if you did!

Well, for those of you who didn't venture out today to the Annual Meeting - you missed a lot!
Info, info, info!
Offee and great pastries!
And the great lake friends I only get to see once a year!

Also about the new location ... a number of members complained that Camp Blanchard was too small, too hard to get to on foot for the older members, and too much work to clean. So we decided to try a new location ... the Blackstone National Grill at the golf course was booked through September; someone on the board said St. Anne's church hall would be too hot without air conditioning if the weather was warm; someone else suggested Singletary Rod and Gun but there is a bar there and doesn't it sound like that other lake association in Sutton should meet there?! ... so one of our board members arrranged the Whitinsville Fish & Game's pavillion. Under a great roof, plenty of tables, clean, near a trout stocked pond, plenty of parking, and free too BUT having lived my almost 50 years of life in Sutton, the place my grandmother from Webster Square called "Journey's End", I never would have thought it could take an hour to get to Douglas! and that a right turn could mean a left turn and where numerous gun shots highlight the President report! Did anyone not get lost?? Tell us the details if you did! I think we will be back next year at the Y. Did anyone miss the brownies?

Seriously, it was a good meeting and obvious that this organization is PROACTIVE and on top of EVERY issue of concern to its members. This week I will report on the information brought to the over 50 people attending.

Tomorrow's topic - the upcoming dam repairs and the soon to be LOW water level. Stay tuned!

Annual Meeting - Rain or Shine!

Rain or shine tomorrow's MPA Annual Meeting is happening! This year we are trying a morning meeting over coffee and soda, donuts, muffin and bagels at the Whitinsville Fish & Game in Douglas. There is a large pavilion to accomodate us as well as a large indoor hall if needed. This year's site also offers easy access, cleaner more modern restrooms, and a larger space to accomodate the entire membership!

Give it a try! Take a ride out tomorrow! I'll see you there!

There are a number of ways to get to the facility but our President found this one well marked with great signs and the roads easier to follow: Starting at the Citgo Extra Mart in Douglas follow Route 16 east for 2.9 miles. Turn right onto West Street and go 1.7 miles.Turn right onto Martin Road and go .4 miles turning left on to White Court which is the driveway of the Whitinsville Fish & Game. :))

Weekday Calm!

A photo NOT taken on the weekend!

Water Level To Be Taken Down Another 6 Inches

If you are wondering why the water is running out of the spillway let me tell you. I heard from Guilford Thursday night and he asked me to pass on this information....

Fuddy has been notified by the Guilford office in Maine that the state of Massachusetts has required that the lake be brought down an additional 6 inches and is sending a dam inspector tomorrow, Friday morning, to observe as Fuddy takes out the boards from the spillway. (We are currently down 6 inches below full.) Fuddy says this is an "emergency act" - a precaution- as the gate is broken/jammed closed and heavy rains are expected Sunday. This will take us down an additional 6 inches bringing the total to 12 inches down from full.

We had a good level all summer and really can't complain can we! Remember with the broken gate they could of drained us a month ago!

I know the downstream residents of Steven's Pond will welcome more water!

Have a good weekend!

Annual Meeting - Mark Your Calendar!

With August coming to a close it is time for the MPA Annual Meeting! Mark your calendar and plan to attend.

Saturday, August 26th
10:00 to noon
Whitinsville Fish and Game in Douglas
White Ct. Douglas

Agenda items will include: the dam, the non point source pollution grant, election of officers and directors, and anything you want to talk about!

Coffee, donuts, muffins and bagels are on the menu for this morning meeting.

This new location offers a beautiful pavillion with picnic tables, lawn area overlooking a pond as well as indoor facilities if it rains. Easy access for young and old. Room for the entire membership plus! I'll see you there!

For direction click the title of this post. You can take either Depot St off of the Main St. in Douglas or head west a bit and take Franklin St to White Court. Check the link for the Yahoo Map for best directions.

A Little Story.... Boat Repairs

What do you do when you need to put a new propellor on your boat?

Take the old one off right?! Well, it is not always that easy or that cheap.

We heard a story about a man who came into Consumer Auto Parts for a torque wrench. Seems he is a bass fisherman who was charged $118 by a local garage to put on the new propellor. Next time he will be able to do the job himself for a lot le$$ as he bought a beauty of a wrench with a nice case for only $78.