Check out Manchaug Pond on the Blackstone River Coalition’s water quality map. Be sure to check out different years and times of year, the inlet and outlet. http://zaptheblackstone.org/interactive_map/index.php Manchaug Pond is the headwaters of the Mumford River which is a tributary of the Blackstone River. JUNE IS NATIONAL RIVERS MONTH!
Memorial Day Salute, Manchaug Pond
Flag flying at Blueberry Island, Manchaug Pond. Gun salute heard at 10:15 a.m. from Fuller Cemetery, Sutton.
Boating Basic Course in SUTTON Held!
The end of last month a Boating Basic Course was offered by the Environmental Police and held at the Sutton Fire Department’s Station #2 down on Manchaug Rd in Manchaug. (the village not to be confused with the pond) 4 nights, 2 1/2 each night, 52 attendees – both adults and children. The result: all passed the 50 question exam held the last night and all came out with a increase knowledge of the rules and regulations of our waterways and of boating safety. A certificate is received by all securing a 70 or above which allows children to drive a motorized boat and 16 and 17 year olds to operate a jetski. It is a great program with laughs shared as Environmental Police instructors tell their stories of law enforcement on the Connecticut and Charles Rivers, at Quabbin and on other inland lakes and along the coast – Check out the link for the next class: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle/dlecours.htm or adults can try the online course:http://www.boat-ed.com/ma/index.htm Under 18 must receive classroom instruction and take the proctored exam. This is required for all 16 and 17 year olds wanting to drive a jetski/personal watercraft. May 22 – 28 Safe Boating Week! Be …
Boating Safety Week ~ Sutton Police boat NOT in winter storage!
The Sutton Police Lake Patrol boat is pictured here as it wintered in the Sutton Fire Department’s Manchaug Station. But is was cleaned up, inspected and readied for the season back in April and has bee sighted on the waters of Manchaug Pond recently. Officers will work to educate the many weekend boaters who visit our waters this season as to the practices which keep boating safe and fun. Need a quick review of the boating rules and regs? Try these: Any size motor boat needs registration, numbers on bow hull (MS #### WS), life jackets, fire extinguisher, horn, whistle or bell, anchor with line, and bailer. Any boat with a motor MUST be registered. Registration MUST be in the boat. You need one life jacket (that fits!) for every passenger on the boat. (out of the package, accessible, and in good condition- no rips or cracks!) Children under 12 MUST wear life jacket at ALL times. You must be 18 or over to drive a jetski/personal watercraft or be 16-17 AND have passed the Boating Basic Course with your certificate on your person. NO ONE CAN OPERATE UNDER 16. Kayak/canoe MUST have a whistle or other signalling devise. No …
Boating Safety Message from Captain Keith Colburn of “Deadliest Catch
Here’s a message for you from a Captain on the show of “Deadliest Catch”… May 22-28 National Safe Boating Week BOAT SMART FROM THE START, WEAR YOUR LIFEJACKET!
Thank you to the Inspectors…Safe Vessel Check a SUCCESS!
The safe vessel check was a success! Thank you to the Worcester County Sail and Power Squadron for bringing us two inspectors from Rhodes Island to give us 4 hours of individual boat safety education! Thank you too to our MPA volunteers Don, Ted and Kevin for holding boats. We had a steady stream of boats coming in to keep us pleasantly busy. Close to 20 boats from all but one of the 8 areas around the lake participated as well as a few from the ramp. The big “I didn’t know that!” was the need for 3 flares in a motorboat on coastal waters AND on some inland lakes as well as the need for a whistle/signaling device in a canoe or kayak was not known by a couple owners. The MPA realized is was a bit early in the season – we’ll try to get those inspectors when the boats are in for the season, the campers are all here, and you had a chance to clean up those motorboats and check for loose wires! Next year we hope more of you will participate! and the refreshments did arrive! Thank you to the family who made the coffee …
Remember: TOMORROW Safe Vessel Check!
If you haven’t clicked on the new Calendar of Events tab you might not know that tomorrow we have a free and open to all event: SAFE VESSEL CHECK! Does your boat have this sticker? Bring your vessel(s) – canoe or kayak, sail or motorboat- for a free inspection by the Worcester County Sail and Power Squadron. Receive your official sticker certifying your vessel is safe. Manchaug Pond Boat Ramp on Saturday, 22 May from around 9:00 A.M. to around noon.Boats can be on trailers or in the water. Bring one or bring them all!The ramp is located on Torrey Road in Sutton MA.42* 05.473′ N71* 46.118′ W
What’s in the water?
Pollen from the trees – Eastern White Pine trees
Spring Cleanup a Huge Success!
Saturday’s Spring Cleanup was a HUGE success! Less trash collected, more roads covered, more families joining in, and more work completed at the state public access boat ramp! Thank you to our event coordinator, to all that joined in and to the Town of Sutton Highway Department for the use of the truck and to the Sutton Transfer Station for disposal of the trash collected!