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.
Manchaug Pond’s Waterlevel
Yesterday, while the ice storm did not hit the lake, the rainfall is bringing in volumes of water primarily runoff from the watershed. The lake level has been maintained at a much higher level than usual this fall so it will be something to watch. The following photos, also taken yesterday, show water coming in from the watershed at two locations: Lackey Road and Aldrich Pond. The flow also brought out the Town’s Highway Department staff to clear ditches on Manchaug Road.
October, November, and now December POSTPONED!
BELIEVE IT OR NOT! it is official…. The continuation of the Sutton Conservation Commission Public Hearing to consider the changes proposed by the Manchaug Pond dam ownerHAS BEEN POSTPONED to JANUARY! … so much for the dam owner and the town working to get the waterlevel down to its lowest level before December 1 as recommended by the MASS Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. December 1 in order to protect “Amphibians, reptiles and other aquatic organisms (who) need to be able to move to deeper water before ice formation and substrate freezing. etc.” So much for my spring peepers and others who were eliminated from the cove behind my home last year because of the new waterlevel. So much for 15 years of good, state-of-the-art, cost-free control of invasive exotic aquatic weed species as recommended by Lycott Environmental. Can’t blog now…. while others ponder, the MPA is busy.
Dam/Waterlevel Mtg POSPONED to Dec. 3rd
The Sutton Conservation Commission public hearing to consider the changes proposed by Manchaug Pond dam owner HAS BEEN POSTPONED from Wednesday, November 19th to WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3RD! Stay tuned….
Date Changed Again – Con Comm/Dam Owner Hearing
Notice to our members that the dam owner has requested another continuance to November 19th for the Sutton Conservation Commission meeting. The time will be posted when the schedule is set.
UPDATE – Sutton Con. Comm / Dam Owner Hearing
A notice to our members that the hearing that was originally to take place on October 15th has been rescheduled for Wednesday November 5th at 8:05 PM at the Sutton Town Hall.
Fall Foliage on Manchaug Pond. A Glorious Display!
Our President provided these photos of the fall foliage.
Remembering a Dear Friend of Manchaug Pond
It was with great sadness that the MPA learned today of the passing of Fuddy Colonero, our dam caretaker. Pictured here (center) at an MPA Annual Meeting a few years ago, there was no one more dedicated to his work than Fuddy. As an employee of the Guilford mill in Douglas, his charge was the waterlevels and dams of the Manchaug and Whitin Reservoirs. Many of us knew Fuddy very well, seeing him each morning just after 7 a.m. checking the Manchaug Pond dam and waterlevel. He would also call the MPA often giving us details to pass on to the residents around the “reservoi” as to what he and “Mother Nature” were planning – telling me specifically how many inches we were open, what the weather forecast was, how many inches we were up or down, and how we compared to Whitins or to years past. One day he even came to my door with a gift of his delicious homemade Italian cookies. He was a friend to us and to the lake he served. He would also be sure to tell you that the weather channel was on at his house 24/7. He knew our lake, he knew …