Saturday's Clean-up

Last Saturday provided a beautiful sunshine-filled morning for the MPA spring clean-up. Volunteers met at the state boat ramp on Torrey Road to share some conversation over coffee and donut before heading out.

Hitting the streets and shoreline, the usual bottles, fast food cups and food wrappers were found as well as some unique items: a small safe, a rug and a catch of old garden ornaments.



The broken garden statues were found over the side of the road which bordered a wetland area with skunk cabbages and water running toward Steven's Pond. These delicate little wood anenome (Anemone quinquefolia) were found growing around the rubbish down the bank in the transitional area between the road and the wetlands.



The haul was less than our fall clean-up as Manchaug Pond sees far more visitors over the spring and summer than in the winter. Click the title to link back to see photos of the fall. It also gives us an opportunity to survey the watershed and remove rubbish which are sources of pollution. Oil cans found in the area between the dam and Steven's Pond are a prime example.



After the work was done, volunteers gathered round to discuss a little composting and view a new product purchased by a lake resident to start a worm farm.

Subject: Manchaug and Whitin Reservoir WaterLevels and Acts of Vandalism at Manchaug

Thursday night's sunset shows the beauty of Manchaug Pond.


Concerning our lower than usual waterlevel on Manchaug Pond...The following is a letter dated April 23, 2008 which our MPA President received on Friday on your behalf from the Mumford River Reservoir Company and The Manchaug Reservoir Corporation the dam owner and operator:

Subject: Manchaug and Whitin Reservoir WaterLevels and Acts of Vandalism at Manchaug

Dear Mr. Schmidt:

The purpose of this letter is to update our neighbors on changes relating to water level management at Manchaug Pond and Whitin Reservoirs this spring as well as recent acts of vandalism at the manchaug Dam.

Hydro Projects North, has owned the controlling interests in the reservoir corporations which operate the dams on Manchaug Pond and Whitin Reservoirs for over twenty years. During this time, the reservoir corporations have strive to balance recreational interests, aquatic needs, and minimum water
flow needs. However, the number one priority has been, and continues to
be, the safe operation of the dams in compliance with applicable laws,
rules and regulations.

Our neighbors, who live around and enjoy the two ponds, have likely noticed that the water levels are not as high as they have been typically in the past at this time of year. This is because both dames are presentlybeign operated a lower level upon
the recommendations of the professional engineering firm that recently
completed the annual inspections of the two dams. These recommendations
were driven not by any change in condition of the dams, but rather by
guidance from the Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety that took effect
for the dams this year, requiring safe operation of the dams to
accommodate possible high rainfall events. It is very important to note
that this does not mean the dams are unsafe or are any less safe than
they have been in the past. We are told the guidance and compliance
requirements reflect the Office of Dam Safety's latest thinking on dam
safety.

Given that our number one priority is safe operation of
the dams in accordance with applicable law, we have conformed to the
recommendations of the engineers. We also have requested a meeting with
the Office of Dam Safety to discuss the inspection results and our
engineer's recommendations, and in that meeting we hope to determine if
a safe alternate course of action is available to us. This meeting is
tentatively scheduled for Monday, May 5.

We also feel it is very important to make all of our neighbors aware of recent vandalism at the Manchaug dam. On two occasions within the last month, unauthorized person(s) entered the fenced and locked area on the Manchaug
Dam, cut off the locks, and forced shut the low level outlet gate for
the Dam, presumably in an attempt to raise the water level in the Manchaug
Pond Reservoir to the prior year's springtime water level. This
trespass and vandalism is a violation of the law, and as such we have
filed reports with the Town of Sutton Police Department and the Office
of Dam Safety. These acts of vandalism jeopardize the safe operation of
the dam. We feel that it is important to emphasize that these acts will
not achieve their presumed objective or raising the overall reservoir
water levels and will potentially interfere with the recreational use
of Manchaug Pond for the following reasons:

* Closing the low level outlet gate will not raise the water level in Manchaug Pond beyond its current levels. At the times of both acts of trespass, the water level in the Pond was at or just above the spillway elevation, thus closing the outlet gate only increased the water flowing over the spillway. The water level may only be raised above the spillway height by installation of flashboards. Following our engineer's recommendation, the flashboards have not and will not be installed until safe operation of the dams has been discussed with the Office of Dam Safety. Thus, the trespasser(s) risked damaging the outlet gate, jeopardized safe operation of the dam and ultimately had no impact on the overall water levels.

* If the outlet gate is damaged due to unauthorized operation, it would likely be very costly to repair and require the water levels to be immediately lowered significantly below what they are now in accordance with ODS procedures.

* Lastly, untrained operation of the dam is very unsafe. Any untrained persons who take it upon themselves to trespass and operate the dam risk bodily injury or death, due to hydraulic forces present in the dam.

If you have any questions about the water levels or the operation of the dams, we kindly ask that you direct any inquiries to our local attorney... Mr. Cooper has established lines of communication with the Presidents of both Reservoir Associations and we urge you to wrk through those organiations, as that will result in the fastest and most efficient attention to your concerns.

If you have any information regarding the trespass and vandalism of the Manchuag Dam, please call the Town of Sutton Police Department at (508) 865-4449.

We take great pride in our stewardship of the dams and the reservoirs over the past twenty years as well as our partnership with the towns of Douglas and Sutton. While we recognize that lower water levels may be a cause of concern for some, please remember that safe operation of the dams in compliance with applicable law is the ultimate priority.

We sincerely appreciate the productive and cooperative relationship we have had with our many neighbors, and we would like to thank everyone in advance for the understanding and cooperation as we determine the safest course of action that yields optimal results for all.

Sincerly,
Wendy Porter for the Mumford River Reservoir Company and the Manchaug Reservoir Corporation

Elevation, Latitude and Longitude

Are you into numbers?

Check out the numbers for Manchaug Pond!
http://www.lat-long.com/ShowDetail-15199-Massachusetts-Manchaug_Pond.html

Spring Clean up 2008 - Sat. April 26th

Mark that calendar! Our 1st Vice President has scheduled a Spring Cleanup of the Manchaug Pond Watershed for Saturday March 26th from 9 am to noon.

Tell a Friend!

A great Community Service project!

Date & Time: Saturday, April 26, 2008
9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Suggested Audiences: Elders, Adult, College, High School, Middle School, Elementary

Location: Public Access Boat Ramp, Manchaug Pond
20 Torrey Road
Sutton, MA 01590

Cost: Free

Sponsored by: Manchaug Pond Association

Description: Join the Manchaug Pond Association and volunteers from the Blackstone River Watershed Association for a major Spring Cleanup Event of the shoreline of Manchaug Pond, the Public Access Boat Ramp in Sutton, and the roadsides of the watershed. Volunteers should bring their own gloves and meet at the state boat ramp on Torry Road. Educational information on septic system maintenance, rain gardens, and healthy lawns and landscapes will be available. See you there rain or shine!
More Information:

Website: http://www.manchaugpondassociation.blogspot.com/
E-mail: MPA319grant@charter.net

Check this and other MPA community events as we list them on the Worcester Telegram Social Web Calendar! http://www.socialweb.net/Events/74651.lasso

Sutton Mandates 15-0-5 Fertilizers ONLY

With the warmer temperatures of the weekend, the
lawns are greening up, the trees are budding and the forsythia will
soon be in bloom. Before you head to the garden center for fertilizer,
crab grasspreventer or weed and feed or spend your money putting the
care of your landscape with a company... you may wish to educate
yourself as to the best options and techniques for your lawn, the
watershed you live in, and your pocketbook and take a look at your
town's local bylaws and regulations. If you live in the Blackstone
River watershed register for Thursdays Healthy Lawn and Landscape
Workshop given byDEP and sponsored by the Manchaug Pond Association. (See post below.)


Last September, the Town of Sutton's Conservation Commission adopted more
stringent regulations in addition to their local bylaw regulatinglakeshore
activities by further regulating fertilizer use and tree cutting. I believe the intent was to call attention to our watersheds and look for the protection of our lakes,ponds and rivers. This ad makes it clear that activities in the watershed directly effect our water resources. Fertilizing around the home landscape can result in runoff which fertilizes our lakes promoting aquatic weed growth. The regulations are as follows:

FERTILIZERS
--- Any application of fertilizer on any lawn, landscaping, garden,
orchard, filed or within 100 feet of any resource area or 200 feet any
body of water be 15-0-5 zero phosphate, slow release.

(To identify local regulation or bylaws check
the link to the right for the MA Conservation Commissions or call your
local Conservation Commission.)

So remember...
-Keep fertilizer use to a minimum-only use if a soil test indicates the need
-Use fertilizer as directed
-Use a non-phosphorus fertilizer when you decide fertilizing is necessary
-Use native grasses and shrubs to reduce the need for extra watering
-Leave natural undisturbed buffer strips to protect lake shore

And register for the Healthy Lawns workshop at MPA319Grant@charter.net

Last Night's Sky Rolling In

April 15th HEALTHY LAWNS & LANDSCAPES Workshop

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Marty Jo Henry
Manchaug Pond Association


HEALTHY LAWNS AND LANDSCAPES COME TO SUTTON, MA

You can have a beautiful yard without using chemicals that may harm children, pets and the environment. On April 17th the Manchaug Pond Association through a DEP funded 319 Grant will present a free Healthy Lawns and Landscapes Workshop led by Ann McGovern of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The workshop is open to everyone in the Blackstone Watershed and will be held at the Sutton Senior Center from 7 PM – 8:30 PM. To register for the workshop, email MPA319Grant@charter.net or call the Sutton Highway Department at 508-865-8743.

Pesticides and lawn chemicals may have unforeseen impacts on human health and can move through the soil into drinking water supplies, ponds, streams and rivers. Children and pets are especially susceptible to harmful effects of pesticides because of their size. Birds and other wildlife suffer injury and even death from long term exposure to traces of pesticides in the environment.

“With a few simple changes, you can have a beautiful lawn and landscape without the use of harmful chemicals,” notes Ann McGovern, Consumer Waste Reduction Coordinator for the DEP. “By developing healthy soil, choosing plants that are appropriate for your site conditions and following some basic guidelines in caring for them, you can have a very rewarding, attractive landscape that contributes to the health of your family, neighbors, pets, wildlife and water quality.”

David and Phyllis Charpentier don’t bag and carry their leaves to the Sutton transfer station. They save time and money by recycling their yard waste back into the soil. “We make mulch and compost out of the leaves, and that enriches the soil so much we don’t need to add anything else. We don’t need to water as often as we used to either,” said David , “and the compost makes a rich, dark mulch around trees and shrub and in our gardens.”

Bill Wence leaves the clippings on his lawn at their Douglas cottage on Manchaug Pond and Sutton home when he mows. He hasn’t needed to use any fertilizer in years because his lawn is green without it. Pests aren’t a problem because the grass is healthy. “I used to think the clippings might cause thatch to build up,” he told us, “but it hasn’t. Bagging clippings was a pain in the neck. This is much easier.”

Come and learn some simple techniques you can use in your own yard. Working with nature, you can create conditions in which life in and beyond your yard can thrive. YOU can be part of the solution to pollution. Materials will be provided for volunteers who wish to promote sustainable landscaping in their neighborhoods.
All attendees can enter the raffle for a compost bin donated by the Sutton Highway Department and gift from Worm’s Way in Sutton, MA. Refreshments will be served.

For more information on the workshops and healthy landscaping methods, visit www.mass.gov/dep. The Manchaug Pond Association Grant has been financed with Federal Funds from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection under an s. 319 competitive grant.

* * *

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Marty Jo Henry
Manchaug Pond Association
508-476-7580

HEALTHY LAWNS AND LANDSCAPES COME TO SUTTON, MA

You can have a beautiful yard without using chemicals that may harm children, pets and the environment. On April 17th the Manchaug Pond Association through a DEP funded 319 Grant will present a free Healthy Lawns and Landscapes Workshop led by Ann McGovern of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The workshop is open to everyone in the Blackstone Watershed and will be held at the Sutton Senior Center from 7 PM – 8:30 PM. To register for the workshop, email MPA319Grant@charter.net or call the Sutton Highway Department at 508-865-8743.
Pesticides and lawn chemicals may have unforeseen impacts on human health and can move through the soil into drinking water supplies, ponds, streams and rivers. Children and pets are especially susceptible to harmful effects of pesticides because of their size. Birds and other wildlife suffer injury and even death from long term exposure to traces of pesticides in the environment.
“With a few simple changes, you can have a beautiful lawn and landscape without the use of harmful chemicals,” notes Ann McGovern, Consumer Waste Reduction Coordinator for the DEP. “By developing healthy soil, choosing plants that are appropriate for your site conditions and following some basic guidelines in caring for them, you can have a very rewarding, attractive landscape that contributes to the health of your family, neighbors, pets, wildlife and water quality.”
David and Phyllis Charpentier don’t bag and carry their leaves to the Sutton transfer station. They save time and money by recycling their yard waste back into the soil. “We make mulch and compost out of the leaves, and that enriches the soil so much we don’t need to add anything else. We don’t need to water as often as we used to either,” said David , “ and the compost makes a rich, dark mulch around trees and shrub and in our gardens.”
Bill Wence leaves the clippings on his lawn at their Douglas cottage on Manchaug Pond and Sutton home when he mows. He hasn’t needed to use any fertilizer in years because his lawn is green without it. Pests aren’t a problem because the grass is healthy. “I used to think the clippings might cause thatch to build up,” he told us, “but it hasn’t. Bagging clippings was a pain in the neck. This is much easier.”
Come and learn some simple techniques you can use in your own yard. Working with nature, you can create conditions in which life in and beyond your yard can thrive. YOU can be part of the solution to pollution. Materials will be provided for volunteers who wish to promote sustainable landscaping in their neighborhoods.
All attendees can enter the raffle for a compost bin donated by the Sutton Highway Department and gift from Worm’s Way in Sutton, MA. Refreshments will be served.
For more information on the workshops and healthy landscaping methods, visit www.mass.gov/dep. The Manchaug Pond Association Grant has been financed with Federal Funds from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection under an s. 319 competitive grant.

* * *

Making Way for Spring

This past week's warmer temps, torrential rains and the weekend's high winds
have caused the ice to totally disappear between the old causeway and the dam.



The main part of the lake still has quite a bit of ice on it, but certainly not safe for any kind of sport. The high waterlevel and ice continues to raise havoc with docks around the lake's shore. Inspite of the dam being wide open, the tremondous runoff from the watershed continues to bring the water level up.


Here's a photo of the lake just last week - the circles in the snow reminded me of those mysterious circles you read about in corn fields.

Full Moon in the Morning Sky in the Watershed

Yesterday Morning Photos

Yesterday morning saw a temperature of 16 degrees F, freezing the water which flows from the ledge of the watershed. Today is a bit warmer at 24, but still cold enough to put a skim of ice on the open water going through the Old Causeway.



The waterlevel remains high, even with the dam open, twisting our docks out of shape. The high level will also give us very little weed control this summer.

Another Dam in the News!

http://helpsavethelake.com/photos.php

http://www.wickedlocal.com/tauntongazette/obituaries/x1288316308

Yesterday's Blue Sky

Snow Cover + Warm Temperatures + Rain = Runoff Problems

Manchaug Pond is fed by runoff from the watershed - not by springs. This means that the waterlevel of the pond goes up with precipitation and from the water that drains in from the surrounding yards, forests and hillsides. Today's warm temperatures caused most of the 2 inch snowcover in the watershed to melt. With frozen and saturated ground and heavy rains, this brought a lot of water into the lake from the watershed.

Of concern to the MPA are the problems which arise from this stormwater runoff: flooded roads, erosion, non-point source pollution of sediment, organic matter, road salt, etc. Our 319 grant will address 5 such problem sites around the lake.

These photos taken today show just 2 out of over 20 non-point source pollution problem areas identified around Manchaug Pond.



The 319 grant will address pipes such as this which go directly into the lake to be replaced with retention pools, stormdrains and other designs which will filter the stormwater before it gets to the lake. Eliminating these sources of pollution will greatly reduce aquatic weed growth and improve the quality of the waters of Manchaug Pond.




Thanks to our 1st Vice President and 319 Grant Coordinator for the photos!

Lunar Eclipse on Weds., Feb 20th

While this photo was taken of a full moon over the YMCA Camp Blanchard on Manchaug Pond the evening of January 21st, this Wednesday will give us all plenty of opportunity - actual 3 hours and 26 minutes - to view and capture photos of a lunar eclipse. The eclipse will begin at 8:43 p.m. in eastern North America with totality or mid-eclipse being reached at 10:26 p.m. The moon travels west to east and is very visible in the evening/night sky from Manchaug Pond, especially in the early evening from areas 5,6,7, 8 and 1. Below are a couple of links from NASA which will aid your viewing - even instructions on photographing. Mid-eclipse can be particularly spectacular as the moon can take on a very vibrant red-orange glow.

http://www.mreclipse.com/Special/LEprimer.html

http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/TLE2008Feb21.html

If you do take a photo - please email it to me and I'll share it with our readers.

Dam Open as Rain and Snow Continue

Pictures taken this morning as the dam was open has it has been this past week sending more white water out of Manchaug Pond and flooding the area below the dam.

What's for Dinner?

During dinner, he looked out the window toward the lake and said, "We could have had goose!"

Turkey for a Manchaug Pond Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!



While turkey maybe on the menu in most parts of the US, here on Manchaug Pond they are the guests! Do you see them?! In area 3, a flock of over 20 frequently visits a number of homes along Manchaug and Torrey Roads. As you are driving, watch for them and our female deer and her three young ones born this spring.

Preserving open space is another reason to form a watershed district. As property comes up for sale, conservation grants are available to secure this land to maintain wildlife corridors and protect endangered species common to our watershed.

Sutton Conservation Commission to Hold Mtg on Docks

The Sutton Conservation Commission is holding another meeting to discuss lakes and ponds on Wednesday, November 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Sutton Town Hall.

Dock regulations have been the topic of recent board discussions. Public attendence at those meetings has been by non-lake residents as well as residents from ponds with and without public access. In September of this year, Sutton Conservation Commission enacted "non-dock regulations on 300 ft. abutters notification, 2 1/2" tree replacement (less if due to poor access) for trees felled in the jurisdiction greater than 5", and the requirement to use 20-0-10 (or comparable), zero-phosphate, slow-release fertilizer w/in 200' of any waterbody, wetlands or stream."

As in the past, the MPA will continue to take a strong role in educating Manchaug Pond lake abutters, watershed friends of Manchaug Pond, and others as to current state and local regulations and concrete ways to minimize and eliminate negative impacts to the lake. New docks have not been an big issue on Manchaug Pond as we have had just a couple new docks in the past few years with the sale of a couple old homes/summer cottage - the state Dep and local Sutton permit notices are posted in the local newspaper for Sutton, the "Millbury-Sutton Chronicle", if you are interested in tracking! MPA is into educating and letting the officials do the policing/enforcing. We have seen existing docks around the lake receive regular maintenance to ensure homeowner and public safety. This author's own shared/neighborhood dock received new eye bolts and replacement boards after ice damage this past spring. So the old, abandoned dock issue thing doesn't exist here either.

MPA's current Non-point Source Pollution Improvement Project will go far in bringing the latest information on Best Management Practices and Low Impact Development to property owners in and around our towns' lakes. Stay tuned!

(Check out the links on the right - Conservation Commission - that site has town bylaws concerning ponds by town. Suttons big bylaw is listed.)

How Perfect is That Autumn Sky!

Autumn on Manchaug Pond seen in tonight's night sky!