Still Painting... the Flashboards and the Gentleman's Agreement

Here's the Manchaug Pond Dam as it looked Friday. Looks good doesn't it! That's the "spillway." The light gray of the new mortar provides good contrast against the blue lake, not to mention the starkness of the trees.



Dam owner Interface Global/Guilford of Maine/Manchaug Reservoir Corp tells us in the August, 2008 Sutton NOI (Notice of Intent) that the dam "is a composite rubble masonry and earth-filled structure approximately 330 feet long and 28 feet high. The upstream face is of stepped rubble masonry construction. Originally built in 1854, the dam was reconstructed in 1960 when earthfill at a slope of 2 to 1 was added to cover the downstream surface of the dam. There are two outlet control devices: a spillway and a low level outlet. The spill way, a concrete box culvert, 9.35 feet high has a fixed crest width of 10.0 feet at elevation 515.90. The crest has slots to accommodate 2.70 foot high flashboards. The low level outlet, located near the right abutment, is equipped with a mechanical hand-operated gate which has an opening 2 feet by 2 feet." (see page 10 of Operations Plan for Low Flow Augmentation Program, Mumford River, East Douglas, Mass.)



Further, on pg 13: "Starting in February, there should be minimal or no releases from the reservoirs while still maintaining the 15 CFS minimum flow in the river at East Douglas. ... installation of flashboards at this dam... in early April." That's the scenario painted for over half a century with the flashboards going in in March. 2007 the former caretaker reported them going in March 11th (Note: a 16cfs requirement now for downstream and Manchaug Pond is never closed as there is always a flow from the updated 2006 low-level gate providing a riffle for downstream aquatic life)

On March 4th of this year, the MPA was told that the new caretaker would have to take the lake down to below the crest level, in order to get the flashboards in properly and safely.



Okkaay. So if we go with that theory.... This month the lake has been taken down. Friday's photos show the lake is sufficiently BELOW the spillway crest with no flow through the spillway culvert box. The flashboards can now be installed safely and efficiently. April 1 is Wednesday and with April showers expected, the lake can be filled to historic levels.



Now for those of you with a good memory.... In May of 2008, Interface met with DEP on this whole flashboards issue and was told to get them in. period. Interface wrote a letter explaining their take on the meeting, and the next week complied. With flashboards dropped in, not too long after, they finally closed the low-level gate was closed. Back in the day, my Father would have called this a "Gentlemen's Agreement." Granted the dam owner was not too keen on the deal and DEP was pressing hard but... but there was an agreement and compliance.

The agreement with DEP gets the flashboards in - this year by April 1, capturing the spring rains, to prevent further damage to the ecosystem around the lake and to prevent flooding downstream. (Note: this weekend's height of the pool at the falls in the village near the old library. Also note: last year's fishkill was above this spillway crest level and although is was a very wet spring and summer, Manchaug never filled with the mid-May compliance.)

Let Weds' picture be painted by gentlemen working for an environmentally sensitive corporation who choose to comply with the DEP agreement AND the Order of the Sutton Conservation Commissions to uphold the Wetland Protections Act. T

Today's Painters: Eagles Visiting Manchaug Pond!

Things are looking up today.... Two eagles were spotted on Manchaug Pond this morning: an adult and an immature. The adult is easy to spot with its white head and tail feathers while the young lack the white feathers.

Mary Griffin, Commissioner of the state Department of Fish and Game reported seventy eagles were spotted during the one-day survey held this past January. If you remember from January through March of 2007, eagles were a common sight on Manchaug Pond: 1 adult and two young spent months fishing and soaring over Manchaug and Steven's Ponds.
Check the blog archives to see what we reported in 2007!

They are a magnificent sight - and paint a majestic picture!

(David L. Ryan/Globe Staff/ file 2008)



For more information:
http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/wildlife/index.php?subject=Birds:%20Species&id=51

http://www.firstlightpower.com/eagles/eaglevid.asp

The first photo is courtesy of First Light Power Resources

Today's Picture: State Public Access Boat Ramp

One lone bass boat is fishing this side of the causeway. Lots of rocks in Manchaug. Rocks where you launch, rocks in the channel, and rocks around the shore. Actually, they're boulders.


http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/pab/pab_schedevents.htm
Scroll down..... does your club have a tournament next month on Manchaug Pond?

2007 the MPA compiled a list of 25 clubs with a combined membership of over 430 members who scheduled weekend events on Manchaug Pond from the state Public Access Ramp. Big bass clubs aren't the only organized groups but also canoe and kayak clubs. This year the season starts April 19 with the Lip Rippers Bass Club with 16 members and the Bass Pigs with 20 members on the 26th. Just a quick scan through the list shows a lot of new clubs we didn't record in 2007 - I mean just the first two are names you don't forget! That alone is a lot of people accessing Manchaug Pond through the ramp - not to mention the recreational boaters skiing, tubing, etc who don't belong to clubs, and all those that come during the week without a permit.

Here's photos from 2005, of a few of the many members of a RI canoe/kayak club heading for the ramp after a trip around Manchaug. This event was advertised with Barnes and Nobles sponsoring - Moonlight on Manchaug - I believe.



Let's paint a picture where the water level is up to it correct level, higher and deeper than today, so the public can access this Great Pond .

You Ask...Paint a picture...

Paint a picture you ask...

This morning the lake is calm. Like a mirror, it reflects the blues of the sky, the grays and browns of the shoreline rocks and trees and the occasional burst of white or pale color from a shoreline cottage. The migrating ducks have arrived this month - the shy Common Mergansers with their distinctive red beak, black heads and back and white sides - a regular sight these past few weeks as they are each year in their small flock. A couple Wood ducks, some Hooded Mergansers, and a few Golden Eyes have also been seen by our 1st Vice President. Buffleheads, and others will soon join them. As spring bursts forward, we'll find the red buds of the maples, the new green of foliage and the yellow of the marsh marigolds and other wetlands flowers in the watershed. Spring will also bring the metallics of bass boats, neons of kayaks and the sights and sounds of an active lake community.

... One can paint a number of pictures of the various scenarios that can unfold...

Personally, I would like to see our dam owner, Interface Global, comply with the Sutton Conservation Commission's Order of Conditions AND comply with the Office of Dam Safety's 1/2 pmf requirement. Flash boards in. Water level up. Dam all set. Fish, frogs, and other creatures all happy and cozy as clams.

Don't laugh. It is doable. Easily workable. Interface has a legendary reputation for being an internationally "green" company having a founder with an environmental vision. Compliance with local conservation laws and state safety regulations is, at a minimum, the backbone of "corporate environmental responsibility." Also, it just makes good business sense and good PR. Shouldn't every business today strive to be a good neighbor and good stewards of the environment?

This Order of Condition is best for the environment here on Manchaug Pond and downstream. As for safety - I had someone who lives elsewhere in town tell me the dam is in bad shape - untrue! Interface has kept that dam well-maintained. They have been a good steward of the dam. What needs addressing is the 1/2 pmf standard. (probable maximum flood) Some tell me its the models and the interpretation used to obtain the 1/2 pmf, but putting that aside a simple Google search brings you to workable solutions other engineers have employed to address the 1/2 pmf safety standard... solutions as simple as throwing rip rap on the earthen side of the dam or putting in a side spillway above the normal peak elevation to handle a once in a lifetime rainfall. Feasible and not offensive to the wetlands resource.

Let's paint the best case scenario for this central Massachusetts ecosystem. Let's expect this company, Interface Global/Guilford of Maine/Manchaug Reservoir Corporation who with their predecessors harnessed the waters of the Mumford River for the profit and benefit of the mill business for so many years, let's expect them to do the right thing, to do the green thing, to do the responsible thing for the Manchaug Pond Dam.

That is the picture they could paint.

Sutton Order of Conditions DEP # 303-0669

Late yesterday, the Sutton Conservation Commission released the long awaited for Order of Conditions for Interface Global's Notice of Intent - DEP # 303-0669 which seeks to bring the water level down 3 1/2 feet plus and reduce the acreage by 55+ acres. The Order is 13 pages long plus support material of 7 attachments from engineers, MRC letters, and water level graphs, etc...

I have to say I was not confident as to its contents, but the Order does uphold the Wetlands Protection Act, does put mechanisms in place to ensure communication up and downstream and does acknowledge the well-maintained condition of the dam.

Here's a quick look at the Special Conditions on page 11

1. "Applicant shall maintain water levels generally in accordance with the Historic Rule Curve developed in the 1930's and used throughout operations of the dam through early 2008, and shall maintain water levels at, but no higher than the, Historic and Operational Rule Curve in a manner similiar to the dam's recent history of operations;"

2. "..... install a standard staff gauge.... 40-50 feet beyond it downstream...."

3. "Applicant shall release water generally in accordance with the advanced flow regime...Mumford Low Flow Study..."

4. ".... because it is not headquartered on-site.... sufficient Notice and in attendance by a MRC agent, two Town of Sutton-designated representatives... monitor the water levels and who shall notify the dam operator of any changes or inconsistencies in the conditions of the structure and its operation."

5. ... continuous contact with the owner of Sutton Falls Dam ....Steven's Pond Dam, Town of Sutton, Whitin's Dam, Town of Douglas and the Douglas Wastewater Treatment Plant and the owner of Lackey Dam..."

6. Applicant ... maintain public liability and casualty insurance..."

7. Applicant shall immediately implement the repair and maintenance recommendations contained in....Kleinschmidt.."

8. Any damage caused... to any wetland resource areas shall be the responsibility of the Applicant to repair, restore and /or replace...."

9. "... file formal procedural protocol document with the Town of Sutton, DEP, ODS, Army Corps of Engineers, Town of Douglas.... detail...plan in anticipation of predicted 1"-12+" rainfall/storm events..."

The Dam is Well-Maintained

Questions were raised as to the actual condition of the dam. Here's a list of some repairs and upgrades which were noted by the dam owner in the process before the Sutton Conservation Commission.

November, 2008: Routine maintenance - mow downstream face, debris from the drain lines, seal gap between spillway box and stone masonry, repair spillway floor and expansion joints, repoint upstream face above waterlevel.

September, 2008: Improvements to the cage around the gate.



October, 2006: Replacement and updating of the low-level gate. (see slideshow at top right)




2005: Repair to spillway concrete box culvert.

1960: Extensive changes with the crest widened and raised and the downstream embankment was constructed.

1836: Original construction.

Manchaug Dam Hearing Weds 3/18 at 8:00

Weds., March 18th 8:00 p.m. continued public hearing for the Manchaug Pond Dam. See you there!

The documents presented at March 4th's public hearing including the dam owner's revised Operation & Maintenance Plan and rule curve look to:

* reduce the lake 65 acres from 360 acres to 295 acres!

* take the peak water level down 3 1/2 - 4 + feet from over 519
elevation to 515.4 (significant for a pond with a mean depth
of 13 ft.) and even lower in fall and spring!

* impact 100% of the bank or 5 1/2 miles of shoreline which provides
spawning area, wetland habitats, etc.!

* disconnect coldwater tributaries, one of which is documented
habitat for native brook trout by Mass Fisheries & Wildlife!

* adversely impact private wells around the lake!

* cut off public access to the Great Pond!


Wednesday, March 18th at 8:00 p.m. Sutton Conservation Commission - Continuance of Public Hearing on Manchaug Reservoir Corp revised NOI for Manchaug Reservoir. DEP # 303-0669

(How about that new slideshow! What do you think? Leave a comment!)

Whitin Reservoir Dam - Monday Night before DCC

Monday, March 16th, at 8:45 p.m. the Whitin Reservoir Dam, belonging to Manchaug's sister lake - the Douglas Res., is on the agenda of the Douglas Conservation Commission as dam owner Mumford River Reservoir Corp proposes to reduce its size and waterlevel.

Weds, March 18th, at 8:00 p.m. before the Sutton Conservation Commission, MRC's Public Hearing on proposed reduction of Manchaug Pond continues.

Douglas Conservation Commission Mtg. - Part II

As I reported earlier, the MPA received a written invitation to come before the Douglas Conservation Commission to discuss conservation issues where they specifically asked our assistance in passing the word as to what activities fall under the Wetlands Protection Act and what ones do not.

At the Monday, March 2nd DCC meeting, the commission gave us a three fold brochure they had put together and offered a forum for us all to talk about the association, its efforts and hopes for Manchaug Pond. In a relaxed atmosphere we were specifically able to thank the town of Douglas for completing their road work at two sites which is part of the 319 grant to reduce pollution/stormwater, report on the educational efforts of our exhibit, cleanups and workshops of 2008 and look to enlisting their involvement in future grant opportunities focused on water quality and watershed involvement and conservation.

The brochure is available on our website in pdf form at http://manchaugpondassociation.org/news.html and will be sent to our mailing listing in the weeks ahead.

For our many readers who are not at the lake in winter, you can view the Douglas meetings online as well as check out agendas and minutes yourself! I tried downloading it to the blog but it is too large.
http://www.douglasma.org/cable/online_programs.php

Photos of yesterday's ice floe blown up on shore.

Manchaug & Whitin Reservoirs - Mark Your Calendar!

If you enjoy the waters of either of these two local reservoirs either as a shoreline resident, summer home renter, as a visitor at a campground, through the State Public Access Ramp, the waterslide, the YMCA day camp, or just enjoy the scenery as you drive by or live in the watershed or access downstream... this is of interest to you.

For the Manchaug Pond whose dam is in Sutton, the public hearing process has been continued. For our sister lake and the Whitin Reservoir dam in Douglas, it has just begun:

Monday, March 16th at 8:45 p.m. Douglas Conservation Commission - Mumford River Reservoir Corp's NOI (Notice of Intent) for Whitin Reservoir.

Wednesday, March 18th at 8:00 p.m. Sutton Conservation Commission - Continuance of Public Hearing on Manchaug Reservoir Corp's NOI for Manchaug Reservoir. DEP # 303-0669

Thanks for Plowing the State Boat Ramp!

Thanks to the Sutton Town Administrator and Highway Dept for answering the MPA's request to plow the State Boat Ramp. A number of residents on the lake brought it to our attention that they had helped people who were stuck at the ramp and on the ice (a Jeep thing!) The MPA, with safety in mind, asked the town to just a cleared path down and around.



With last week's storm the Highway Department's heavy equipment was seen opening the ramp up and later that afternoon a fisherman was out on the ice. When I saw the superb job the town did, I thought "never mind a tow truck or the rescue squad, the Life Flight Helicopter can make it in!"

Today on Manchaug Pond

Ice melting, a winged visitor, and snowdrops in the garden on Manchaug Pond...











Special thanks to the MPA member who sent in the photo of the swan in the channel!

Mass Voters Choose the Fisherman

Massachusetts voters chose the fisherman over the farm. We are disappointed. Waters Farm sits on the hillside of the watershed overlooking the lake, a gift from a past MPA secretary to the Town of Sutton used as a living history museum and representing a wholesome time of simple New England life....


but then again what can we say... here on Manchaug Pond we too like fisherman.

I'll leave up the Waters Farm slide show for a few more days.

Here is the official release... on March 05, 2009, the Governor's office released the following results to their contest:

Massachusetts Citizens Select Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial to be Featured on a Quarter
BOSTON– Thursday, March 05, 2009 – Governor Deval Patrick today announced the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial received the most votes from citizens throughout the Commonwealth to be featured on a new Massachusetts quarter created by the U.S. Mint. Governor Patrick announced the selection via his official Twitter feed, www.twitter.com/MassGovernor.

The three alternate sites selected by voters are the Lowell National Historic Park, the House of Seven Gables in Salem and the U.S.S. Constitution.

The state received 245,000 votes online at www.mass.gov to select their favorite nationally-recognized site to be featured on the new quarter. The site received votes from citizens throughout the Commonwealth, with Worcester, Middlesex and Essex counties putting forward the most votes.

The U.S. Mint asked Massachusetts, in addition to the other 49 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories, to select one preferred and three alternate Massachusetts national sites to be featured on the reverse of a quarter. As part of America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act, the new quarters will be issued at the rate of five new designs per year beginning in 2010, and will be issued in the order in which the selected sites were established as national sites.

To learn more, go to: http://www.mass.gov/governor/quarter.

21 days: Dam Owner Risk vs. Wetlands Protection Act

Weds, March 4th another Public Hearing was held at the Sutton Conservation Commission for Manchaug Reservoir Corp's newly revised Notice of Intent Operation and Maintenance Plan for the Manchaug Pond dam and reservoir.

Two attorneys represented Interface Fabrics - one from the Boston law firm and the other from Interface's Atlanta, Georgia corporate headquarters.

Additionally, the attorneys presented 2 more documents: 1. a memo from their engineering firm Stantec addressing the MPA's September testimony and 2. a Stantec memo looking at Manchaug Pond as a Great Pond. (Interface did not give the MPA a copy so I can't give you details yet.)



Bottom line: The Sutton Conservation Commission (SCC) voted to continue the hearing for the purpose of having a peer review of the revised Notice of Intent. SCC stated they understood MRC %Interface's position with dam safety but needed "reasonable time to review" the revised NOI and assess the extent of the alternations to the resource. SCC has called for a peer review since last fall.
MRC denied permission/did not consent to the peer review.
SCC has 21 days to respond/rule.

In the meantime Interface is to comply with the DEP order of May 2008 to put in the flashboards. SCC also gave MRC, a list of requests which I believe I heard included having the flashboards in by April 1.

MRC, during the course of the meeting, explained that three different engineering firms recommended they operate at three different levels because of the Office of Dam Safety's new reporting form. Depending on which report you look at the level goes from 519 to 517 to 515.4. (And I might add, not to mention historical levels above 519.) they sited Hurricane "Katrina shows us that the dam was operated as unsafe." "...simply cannot and will not operate ... we cannot operate the dam at a risk."

For those village residents Manchaug Reservoir Corp. named during the meeting who they are protecting, the condition of the dam is not at issue. The dam is well maintained and in good condition. Over the years, Interface has been an attentive dam owner, noteworthy are the major repairs made to the low level gate in 2006 and the yearly mowing, trimming and patch work completed last fall. Again the condition of the dam is not at issue in this case.

Water Level Public Hearing - March 4th - Sutton Conservation Commission

Weds, March 4th, 8:00 p.m. Sutton Town Hall before the Sutton Conservation Commission

a public hearing to consider the NEWLY REVISED Notice of Intent proposed by dam owner.

The new Operations and Maintenance Plan and Rule Curve Plan for Manchaug Reservoir calls for the reduction of the lake by about 55 acres and the waterlevel down by 3 1/2 to 4 feet.

All interested individuals can attend. Written testimony/letters can be sent to the Sutton Conservation Commission, Sutton Town Hall, 4 Uxbridge Road, Sutton, MA 01590

As for today's water level...

I did notice the dam was opened Saturday - I would guess in anticipation of this snowstorm. So far we have 8 1/2 inches of snow here on Manchaug Pond. You can see by the weekend photo that the flow is coming from the low level gate. The water level is still lower than the spillway and the flashboards/stoplogs are not yet in.


To contact the MPA:
email us at infoMPA@charter.net
or write to us at MPA, P.O.Box 154, Manchaug, MA 01526

Douglas Conservation Commission Mtg. - "What is the deal..."

Hello all!

Yesterday's commenter asks -

Anonymous said...

What is the deal with the MPA appearing before the Douglas Con. Con. on Monday Night?


If you monitor the Town of Douglas' website, checking out their meeting agendas, you'll notice that yes indeed the MPA is on the agenda for tomorrow Conservation Commission meeting.

"Why?" you ask. Well, I will be able to tell you more tomorrow. You see, the Commission sent a letter inviting the MPA to the meeting to "discuss conservation issues and guidelines pertaining to Manchaug Pond."

More to come...

VOTE FOR WATERS FARM!

Just a reminder that the voting ends this Thursday February 26th at 5 PM. Click on the header for the link to the website

Keep voting!

A Look at the Shore Today

A Look at some of Manchaug Pond's shoreline today...

from Manchaug Road near "The Big Rock,"



and from the Public Boat Ramp









Rocky isn't it!


Don't forget to vote! Waters Farm!

Con Comm Meeting Postponed

The hearing originally scheduled for Feb. 18th is rescheduled for March 4th because the NOI has to be advertised. We will post the time when that is announced.

Don't forget Waters Farm - KEEP VOTING!!!

Waters Farm State Quarter - Vote!!!

There is a wonderful opportunity for Waters Farm to be featured on the next 50 States Quarters Program. Govenor Patrick is asking everyone to vote on who will be featured on the Massachusetts quarter in 2010 - the link to this heading will get you there. Scroll down to the bottom for Worcester County you can vote for Waters Farm AND you can vote as many times as you like up until February 26, 2009. I can't think of a better place representing New England history than Sutton's Waters Farm. In those immortal words of Al Capone...
"Vote early....and often!"
(and for Waters Farm)

Ending Non-Point Pollution and Report Card

(File Photo from January 8, 2009, 7:55 p.m.)

Yesterday, an MPA subcommittee of our 319 Stormwater Grant met with CEI, our environmental engineering company, to finalized an educational plan targeting specific non-point pollution sources in the Manchaug Pond watershed. Our 319 Grant has been tooted as innovative, effective and cutting-edge by other groups from the Blackstone River Coalition to the Metacomet Land Trust.

Today, the Blackstone River Coalition will release Manchaug Pond's report card results for last year along with other sites along the Blackstone and its tributaries at this morning's Volunteer Water Qualtiy Monitoring Summit and Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. In past years, our report card results show nutrients and other "nasty things" coming in to Manchaug at the inlet testing site. Special thanks to Tammy, the Blackstone River Coalition volunteer for her dedication and efforts to monitoring and testing Manchaug Pond.

Our 319 Grant looks to reduce nutrient loading thereby improving water quality here on Manchaug Pond, in the Mumford, and beyond to the Blackstone.

http://www.zaptheblackstone.org/whatwedoing/water_quality/wqm.shtml

Dam Caretaker Bring ing Water Level Up.

The dam low level gate has been closed down a bit to start letting the level come up.

These photos were taken on Weds. the 11th. This is the flow between Manchaug and Steven's Pond this week. We have good snow cover to make for lots of run off to bring us up. With the rain and snow melt we are getting more coming in. Now we just have to convince the dam owner to be a good neighbor and go back to historical levels!


I checked a few early blog posts from 2006: no hurricanes, dry weather, Fuddy doing a rain dance to get water in the lake. Different concerns than what is being discussed at Con Com meetings.


Interesting reading.

Con Comm Meeting on Sutton Cable

For those Sutton residents that were not able to make the Con Comm meeting on the 4th, it is now being televised on the local cable access, Charter Channel 11. The meeting will be on tonight at 6 PM however the Manchaug Pond portion starts at 7 PM since it began an hour past the beginning of the meeting.

Where are we?

On February 4th, the dam owner presented a newly revised operation and maintenance plan for Manchaug Pond to the Sutton Conservation Commission. The dam owner stresses their primary goal is "to maintain the safety and stability of the dam." The plans bear their engineer's stamp and will be submitted or have been submitted to the state Office of Dam Safety for approval. The Sutton Conservation Commission is involved through the Wetlands Protection Act to ensure that proposals do not adversely impact the Pond ecosystem.

(I hope that captures the essence of the situation in a simple forthright manner without diminishing the weight of the matter or the responsibilities of the parties involved.)

So... What is the role of the Manchaug Pond Association?

Education. Advocacy. Stewardship.

We need to bring Manchaug Pond to the face of decision makers at all levels. The lake is our backyard, we know it best. We see the impacts. We need to communicate... to replace the "conceptual, desktop evaluation" with facts, actual data from Manchaug Pond.

So what can you do? Join us. If you are not a member of the MPA and would like to be on our mailing list email the MPA at infoMPA@charter.net.

The next meeting of the Sutton Conservation Commission is February 18th.

Stay tuned.

The Manchaug Pond Association... founded in 1967 "to promote the welfare and correct use of Manchaug Pond and the contiguous area."

Heading out on the ice.

This was last Saturday's photo, but I can tell you my first look out the window this morning saw 3 fishermen each pulling a sled of fishing gear from the boat ramp to the main part of the lake to join the fishermen, 4 wheelers and others already out there. The sky is blue, sun is shining, no wind and a temp at 3 F.

"Have they already decided?"

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am sick after reading that Interface wants to draw down the water level by so much!

How was this proposal received by the Sutton Conservation Commission? Did anyone get a feel for how they might decide, or have they already decided? Please tell me that this isn't a done deal!
February 05, 2009 8:36 PM

Post a Comment

Dear Reader,
The hearing was continued. No decisions have been made. Conservation Commission members were very concerned with the new proposal having raised many questions and issues relating to the lake, the ecology around the lake, the flow and downstream habitat, weather models used, the duties of the caretaker, and the Emergency Action Plan. The Commission stated they contacted the state Riverways Program, Office of Dam Safety, Congress of Lakes and Ponds, state Fisheries and Wildlife, the authors of the Mumford River Low Flow Study and other specialists to secure their expert testimony. Under the Wetlands Protection Act, the chairman also stated that the dam owner was required to fund the hiring of an independent environmental engineering firm for the ConCom.

This is not over. The MPA and its members will continue to work hard educating those involved about Manchaug Pond. Stay with us!

Dam Owner Submits New Rule Curve and Operating Plan for Manchaug Pond

The Manchaug Pond dam owner submitted new documents last night at the Sutton Conservation Commission hearing which included a new rule curve and operating & maintenance plan as well as a preliminary impact evaluation. 7 engineers, 1 attorney and the Manchaug and Whitin Reservoir dams caretaker represented the dam owner.
(file photo)

Their proposal includes:

- Cut peak waterlevel by 3 to 4 feet to 515.9 ft water surface elevation.

- No flashboards will be used to retain waterlevel at any time.

- Reduce lake size by 55 acres from 350 acres to 295 acres.

- Establish a riparian buffer around the lake on newly exposed land owned by MRC/Interface to "provide substantial habitats for local flora and fauna."

- Reduce fall drawdown from 6ft to 3ft.

- Disconnect of stream habitats to protect resident native coldwater fish species such as brook trout from being "exposed to piscivorous, non-indigenous, warmwater fish species as largemouth bass in the impoundment."



With the mill closed, relocated and up for sale, the dam is no longer needed in the manufacture of cloth, to provide hydro power, or for the mill's wastewater plant. MRC expressed it now looks to limit liability by ensuring public safety through adoption of new operation methods siting 2001 Office of Dam Safety guidelines. Our sister lake, Whitin Reservoir, was not mentioned as having a similar need or issue.

Sutton residents can view the 2 1/2 hour proceedings on the local cable channel. MPA President Dave Schmidt speaks for Manchaug Pond at the end of the hearing.

For minutes of previous hearing dates visit:
http://www.suttonma.org/Pages/SuttonMA_ConMin/

Meeting tonight on waterlevel and dam

Just a reminder that the dam owner will be making a presentation tonight before the Sutton Conservation Commission at the Sutton Town Hall concerning the operation of the Manchaug Pond dam. 8:00 p.m. 2nd floor.

Sutton Con Comm Hearing

The dam owner's reschedule date from the previous delayed dates for their O&M plan review is now scheduled for this Wednesday February 4th at 8 PM at the Sutton Town Hall. We will post any changes or additional delay date.

Back on the web...

Today, was a trip to Best Buy. While there, I just had to take these photos:



Creative parking!



Got to love it! "To boldly go where no Jeep has gone before." the bumper sticker says. Not my vehicle, but I do understand the Jeep thing as 3 out of 4 of our children own/owned Jeeps.

Anyway... So why the trip? I've had internet/cable trouble for a couple months now. Spotty coverage/no coverage. Fios isn't available this end of town. I bought a new MacBook. Still trouble. So if it wasn't the computer, what was it? Well, we have also lost power numerous times and perhaps the cable, I thought, due to blown fuses on Irma Jones Rd, down pine tree on Torrey Rd, ice storms, a power line snapping on Manchaug Road - seemed like every week there was some act of nature - perhaps that is why no cable... but than yesterday in the sunshine, no internet once again. No internet all day...

So, after unplugging the wireless, and plugging the laptop directly into the modem - nothing.

So today off to buy a new modem. We're on the world wide web and back to blogging! So you should be hearing from me more often!

Here's a photo of creative parking on Manchaug Pond:

Warm enough to snowmobile! ?

-10 degrees right now with no wind. My furnace is working harder than usual. Most of us would say that is cold. .... BUT! not everyone! Did I hear a snowmobile at 6:50 a.m. out on the lake?

Stay warm!

Educate Yourself on Lake Issues! January 24th

For 22 years the MPA has had representatives at the annual January educational meeting of the Massachusetts Congress of Lake and Pond Associations (COLAP). Last year for the first time, our 1st Vice President exhibited the MPA sharing information from our 319 stormwater grant. Today MPA President Dave Schmidt invites all of you interested in lake issues to join us! This year promises great workshops for the friends of Manchaug Pond - that's all you lake property owners, watershed residents, campers, sportmen and town officials alike. Workshops include dam and flow issues, weed and lake management, and beaver and geese control not to mention addressing stormwater. Looking at the speakers list, we find those familiar with Manchaug Pond - Rep. Jennifer Callahan who announced our 319 Stormwater Grant to Sutton Board of Selectman; Lee Lyman who has conducted two weed surveys of our lake; and Donna Williams who spoke at our Spring Social just last year.

Check out the agenda below, click the link to get you to the registration form, register before January 20 to save $, and we'll see you there!


MA COLAP 22nd Annual Lake and Pond Management Workshop

Student Center, Worcester State College
Saturday, January 24, 2009
8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
(Snow Date: Sunday, January 25)
[Call 508-429-5085 for message]



8:00: Registration and Continental Breakfast (Included in fee)

8:30-10:15: Plenary Session

Featured Speakers

Senator Stephen Brewer (invited) : Legislative Issues
Representative Jennifer Callahan (invited)

Keynote Address: Mass DCR Commissioner Richard Sullivan

NALMS Update: Ken Wagner, Past President, Ph.D., CLM, AECOM

Mass Lakes and Ponds Update:
Anne Monnelly, Acting Director Office Water Res., DCR

Business Meeting/Election of Officers

Stormwater, Dams, Wildlife & Lake/Pond Partners
Peter Coffin, Blackstone River Coalition and Donna Williams, Mass Audubon and BRC President --
—How Lake and Pond Groups can Participate in Local Stormwater Planning Efforts

BEAVER ISSUES— A Panel of Experts Seeks Your Input

Herb Bergquist, President (CRWM)
Chris Dwyer,US Fish & Wildlife Service
Malcom Speicher, Spencer, Beaver Manager
Laura Hajduk, Mass DFW Furbearer Wildlife Biologist

10:15 - 10:30: Break and Exhibit Time

10:30 - 11:30: CONCURRENT WORKSHOP SESSIONS
A,B,C,D,E (Choose 1 of A,B,C,D or Choose E)
Sessions are repeated in the next hour, Except E is a 2-hr session

A. DAMS AND STREAMFLOW ISSUES—
Managing Dam Releases for Natural Streamflow
- Joanna Carey, Mass DFG Riverways Prog Specialist and
The GEIR and Permitting Changes Necessary to Facilitate Better Instream Flow Management in Lake Projects
- Ken Wagner, CLM, WRM, AECOM Global Environment

B. For new people LAKE & POND RESTORATION TECHNIQUES— With EMPHASIS ON INTEGRATED LAKE MANAGEMENT-
- Lee Lyman, President, Lycott Environmental

C. BEAVER ISSUES, Continued
A Panel of Experts Provides Answers and Seeks Your Input:
- Herb Bergquist, President Cm for Responsible Wildlife Mgt.
- Chris Dwyer, USFWildlife Service
- Malcom Speicher, Experienced Beaver Manager
- Laura Hajduk, Mass DFG Furbearer Wildlife Biologist

D. HAND-PULLING Experiences (7 years)—Milfoil, Curly Leaf Pondweed, Phragmites, Purple Loostrife
—Mercedes Gallagher, Center Pond, Yokum Pond, and Greenwater Pond in Becket, MA

E. Using the GEIR and DEP Guidance Documents for Lake & Pond Management Permitting (2 hours)
A mock ConCom Meeting dealing with common/future Lake Projects for New Folks
–Anne Monnelly, DCR, OWR, and Mark Stinson, DEP.

11:30 - 11:45: Break

11:45 - 12:45: Repeated CONCURRENT SESSIONS A,B,C,D
Choose one of the above OR Continue in Session E

12:45--1:45 LUNCH BREAK, EXHIBITS & NETWORKING

1:45--2:45 CONCURRENT SESSIONS F,G,H,J,K,L (Choose One)

F. Lake and Pond Groups and STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, Continued How L & P Groups can Participate in Stormwater Planning Efforts
- Peter Coffin, Blackstone River Coalition

Stormwater Management Plan (EPA Phase 2) facilitation in Leicester
- Ruth Kaminski, Leicester local committee facilitator

G. How to Plan for your LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN-- from QAPP to Implementation
- Bob Hartzel,,GeoSyntec Consultants

H. Lake Management Results:
CANADA GOOSE MANAGEMENT in Hopedale Pond
- Darrell Oakley, Senior Ecologist, ESS Group

Stormwater BMPs and LID System Performance on Pollution Removal Efficiency and Infiltration (Recharge)
- Jerry Schoen, Mass Stormwater TEP Manager

J. FROM THE ROOTS UP! Growing the Ultimate GREEN LAWN Without Fertilizer And the SKY DOWN! to Pinpoint and Fix Leaking Septic Systems, with A Range of Solutions and Funding Methods
- Jackson Madnick, PearlsPremium.com, COLAP BOD

K. 1. How to Perform the RIGHT AQUATIC PLANT SURVEY for Your Lake or Pond
- Keith Gazaille, ACT (Aquatic Control Technology)
2. Harvard Bare Hill POND DEEP DRAWDOWN AND PUMPING
- Bruce Leicher, Bare Hill Pond Watershed Mgt Committee

L. Dam Repair Issues:
Dam and Spillway Repairs, Sunset Pond— Design, Permitting & Construction
- Christopher Haker, PE, Tighe & Bond

Is there Light or Water at the End of this Tunnel? Repairs to a Low-Level Outlet Control Structure at a Bucolic Wedding Site
- Nils Wiburg, Fuss & O’Neill

2:45--3:00 Raffle and END

Session Topics are subject to change.

Attention: CONSULTANTS and LAKE GROUPS with DISPLAY MATERIALS (EXHIBITS) such as posters, brochures, dioramas, signs, etc.. You are welcome to set up a display. For particulars, and to reserve a display spot, please call Carol Hildreth (508)429-5085.

Display your Wares and Successes!

This Morning

Great Day for the Lake

6:30 a.m. the ice fishermen were seen walking from the State Public Access Ramp onto the lake with their buckets and sleds. We knew they would be here as soon as the ice was thick enough! I hear too that many enjoyed the lake today as snowmobilers, skaters and others came out before the storm and cold weather sets in.

Anyone care to send in a photo of today's fun or an official report on the thickness of the ice? Our readers are asking! I hear it is more than 4 inches...

ICE!

Manchaug Pond is freezing - ice at every shore! With only freezing temperatures in the forecast, I am sure we will soon see the boat ramp loaded with ice fisherman, hear the hum of 4wheelers and snowmobiles and see the tracks of cross country skiis and ice skates. Whatever the waterlevel wasn't for you this summer, it will soon be everything to those who love the lake in the winter. Get out the hot chocolate!







http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/ice_safety.htm






Also, as soon as I get the official report from last night's Sutton Conservation Commission, I'll let you know.

Now that the holidays are winding down and the internet connection here seems to be working, I can get back to blogging Manchaug Pond and MPA.

Manchaug Pond on Tonight's Con. Com. Agenda

Manchaug Pond is on the agenda for tonight's Sutton Conservation Commission meeting at 8:30 p.m. We have been told that a representative from Manchaug Reservoir Corp will be attending to request another continuation and explain why it is necessary.

Con. Comm. Hearing Postponed

The dam owner has requested yet another postponement for the January 7th meeting and it will be rescheduled for February 4th.