Dams in the News: Channel 5 Reports the Unsafe

Sunday night the Channel 5 news at 11 highlighted unsafe dams in Massachusetts. Of course the Manchaug Pond dam did NOT make the broadcast nor did it make the list provided by the Office of Dam Safety. Check out this link yourself to read the Channel 5 investigation, to view the video broadcast and to check out a pdf list from Dam Safety of unsafe and poorly kept dams.http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/16117642/detail.html The past few weeks we have heard some tall tales and good rumors being told about Manchaug Pond and its dam. One of our MPA officers was across town in the Sutton village of Wilkinsonville at a local store only to hear tales being told of the condition of our dam. Again, Manchaug is a well-maintained dam: the MPA has on file years of inspection reports and has been kept informed as to repairs and the like from the dam owner. This photo taken in October of 2006 by our President during a tour of the dam while repairs and improvements were being made. This is a view of the inside of the spillway.

Manchaug Still Waiting on Waterlevel

Today, the dam owner did meet with the Office of Dam Safety to obtain their recommendation as to how they can best address the guidelines the DCR Office of Dam Safety put forth since the dam owner went through the inspection process two years ago. Our MPA President did receive the anxiously awaited call this evening and was given details as to what was considered, for how long and by whom, etc…seems the concerns raised by lake residents and businesses were examined and discussed….but as to the outcome of the meeting…. seems there will be more discussion going on by the powers that be again tomorrow. Our hope is, at the very least, that a few flashboards be put back in the dam… Soon…. Please…

Whitin Reservoir in Douglas Shares Concern

Here’s a photo of the dam at Whitin Reservoir in Douglas, the residents of Whitin share our concern of a low waterlevel. Both Manchaug and Whitin’s dams are owned by the same parent company. With the closing of their mill in Douglas, the contents of the mill was sold off, the mill put up for sale, and the local staff reduced to two employees. The mill utilized the flow of the Mumford River from Manchaug and Whitin to wash the fabric produced at the mill and for their own sewage plant. The water of both Manchaug and Whitin shared this load. Today, no longer needed by the mill, the waters remain a valuable resource for the residents of both lakes and for the downstream activities including the Town of Douglas’ sewerage treatment plant which request 16 cubic feet of continuous flow. In addition to its shoreline residents, Manchaug is also of prime importance to thousands of visitors year round. Many recreational boaters,individuals and families and bass and canoe/kayak clubs who come through the state Public Access Boat Ramp each day or with organized event and tournaments. The lake is also the home of the YMCA Camp Blanchard facility who buses …

Rain brings water level up

It has been pretty rainy the last few days with more rain in the forecast. The rain has brought the water up a couple inches putting the pontoons in the water but we are still not floating. If the flashboards go in, this rain is saturating the ground of the watershed which will make for more runoff to fill us up. I find it amazing how soon the green plants begin to fill in the newly exposed shoreline.

Another email concerned over the low waterlevel

This was forwarded to the MPA early this afternoon. Just one of many calls and emails we have fielded. This email is another which was sent to the Office of Dam Safety who is welcoming the input of residents and lake users. “I have been a summer resident of Manchaug Pond in Douglas MA since 1984. During that period we have seen many years of high water, thanks to the stewardship of Guilford Industries (Interface, as it is now known). They were forever watchful of weather forecasts and would react to impending situations before they became problems. The spillway at the dam has been adequate all these years and as I can recall the flashboards were very seldom used to control the water level. The low-level gate had always been sufficient. I feel that if the continued monitoring of weather conditions and lake level continues there should be little concern about the safety of those downstream. My concerns also go to septic systems. Each year, there would be a drawdown of the water in the fall to prevent damage to walls, etc from ice, allow for some repairs if necessary, and to help control the weed growth in the pond. …

Comments from members on the low water level

Here’s an email just in from Manchaug Pond’s Area 8: To: Tom.Famulari@State.MA.US Please raise the water level back to historically normal levels at this time of year. Although everyone agrees safety is paramount, please emphasize to the dam owner your guidelines are not intended to unreasonably interfere with recreational use of Manchaug Pond. Thank you for your help

Concerned about Low Water – tell Dam Safety!

I’ve only been on the lake about 25 years. But this was a first for me… seeing this little truck in the sand along the Manchaug Road, Sutton side of Manchaug Pond. Usually this area is 3 plus feet under water in the spring and summer. This is the first year I don’t hear the spring peepers singing us to sleep in the evening, as the cove and adjoining wetlands are pretty dry. Did you get a letter from Interface about the water level? I didn’t get one because my husband and I don’t own waterfront property – we’re one row back and have waterrights to a beach area as do the rest of the property owners on our road. Even though we’re one row back, my husband did complain to me of dead fish smell the other day. This is the first year of many that one of my kids hasn’t been swimming yet. I have a couple of hardy girls that take their first dip in March or April depending on when the ice melts. It’s May now and the water is down just over the large rocks and boulders we stand on in the summer. This is …

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 …

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 waterflow needs. However, the number one priority has been, and continues tobe, 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 …

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, 20089:00 AM-12:00 PM Suggested Audiences: Elders, Adult, College, High School, Middle School, Elementary Location: Public Access Boat Ramp, Manchaug Pond20 Torrey RoadSutton, 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

Manchaug Pond Foundation Water Quality

Sutton Mandates 15-0-5 Fertilizers ONLY

With the warmer temperatures of the weekend, thelawns are greening up, the trees are budding and the forsythia willsoon be in bloom. Before you head to the garden center for fertilizer,crab grasspreventer or weed and feed or spend your money putting thecare of your landscape with a company… you may wish to educateyourself as to the best options and techniques for your lawn, thewatershed you live in, and your pocketbook and take a look at yourtown’s local bylaws and regulations. If you live in the BlackstoneRiver watershed register for Thursdays Healthy Lawn and LandscapeWorkshop given byDEP and sponsored by the Manchaug Pond Association. (See post below.) Last September, the Town of Sutton’s Conservation Commission adopted morestringent regulations in addition to their local bylaw regulatinglakeshoreactivities 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 …