I had an email today asking whether or not our Manchaug Dam is safe. There is talk around that it is not and with this rain, warmer temperatures, and flooding in the forecast lets look at the facts based on the reports held by the state Office of Dam Safety. Without doubt, the dam is in GOOD CONDITION and continues to be inspected daily and maintained regularly and as needed by the owner, Interface Fabrics Group, and under state requirements. It has been inspected within the last six months by a professional engineer registered with the Commonwealth and by the Office of Dam Safety. Official engineers and inspectors, as well as the MPA president, were on site when repairs were made to the low-level outlet gate in Sept. 2006. MPA holds all dam safety reports on record with the state which reports “the dam has performed satisfactorily for nearly 170 years, and no significant deficiencies were observed.” All maintainence and recommendations are listed from bolts replaced to brush cut to masonary work performed. The reports also give photos, engineer’s plans/drawings and details from reservoir size to the surficial geology of the area, faulting and seismicity of the area and bedrock. …
Beautiful Day Yesterday
It was beautiful on the lake yesterday: sunny, blue skys, and the 7 -8 inches of snow we received in the past few days gave a fresh layer to the lake. The day was quiet as it most often is on a weekday, with an ice fisherman or two seen at lunch time, a couple snowmobilers mid afternoon and as supper time approached, a man and his dog. My daughter and grandson walked across the lake for a visit and coaxed us into a walk back to her house for a visit. On our way home, the big old Golden Retriever ran the distance to give my youngesst daughter a big friendly greeting and then was off running home as well. On the walk over, these tracks were seen where a seagull had touched down for a little rest. One thing I wanted to mention… our MPA President was quoted in the January 18th Worcester Telegram at a Douglas Selectman’s meeting as stating about the 40 year old MPA’s ability to preserve the welfare of the pond, “We need to move up to the 21st century”. Specifically in the past few years under his leadership, the MPA has been doing …
So What is Going On?
To start, here’s a photo shot from Area 2 by our VP. Thank you for the contribution!So what is going on?! Well, to put it mildly, PLENTY!Besides the usual calls that the lake is too high or too low, and “I’m calling from Florida – is the lake up yet since the dam repairs?”, and the calls from Fuddy, the caretaker with Interface, on how much the dam is open and closed, the rainfall and snowmelt, and news on the mill, etc…. …. the Stormdrain Grant is a definite! The Federal/State Government will fund $129,000 for the MPA to reimburse the Towns of Douglas and Sutton as well as the engineering firm CEI as we oversee a number of projects around the lake which will address aquatic weed growth by reducing pollutants/runoff into the lake. We have been busy reviewing project scope of work drafts, sending in vendor and affirmative action requirements, and the MPA President has become handy with the pen signing contracts with DEP and CEI on behalf of the MPA. Personally, I am thankful for the expertise we have on the MPA Board of Directors, ie. a real certified public accountant for a treasurer to ensure proper …
Sunset from Area 2
Thanks to our VP photographer! Lots is happening with the grant, newsletter, and district. I’ll get you the details soon!
Tired of the Cold…
For those of you who are tired of the cold, not into snowmobiles, hockey and the like, don’t have a warm firesplace to sit by on a wintery day like today… don’t despair! spring is on the way! Here are some photos from last summer on Manchaug Pond!
Sunday Photos!
The ice was beautiful for skating but most of the action was on dirt bikes, four wheelers and snowmobiles especially near the causeway. Fishermen report the ice to be about 14-16 inches thick!
Dam Closed with One Inch of Flow
The dam here at Manchaug Pond has been closed down this weekend to 1 inch by the dam caretaker. Prior to this, the dam was opened a couple inches to take the water down so the docks are not in the water/ice. The dam now can’t be closed down more than an 1 inch as to maintain a flow for the creatures downstream 🙂 Today provided a beautiful day with CROWDS of people enjoying the ice!
Did you see that!?
Whoa! What was that about? Just as I was signing in to post a message, a huge plane just flew over, very low, over Manchaug Pond, over my house, and heading south. It was low, big and dark! Sorry for the lack of technical adjectives – my husband the Marine veteran of the Vietnam War was in the cellar and missed the whole thing! Those are the words of the wife with the degree in Plant and Soil Science, the 9 year old daughter and the 16 mos old grandson. It definitely looked military and it immediately brought to mind “The Bombing of Blueberry Island”, an article written by a Founding Father of the MPA which appeared in the last MPA newsletter. I didn’t have time to turn on the digital camera to get you a picture before it was gone. If you got a photo or have any info let me know!
Catching the Big Winner!
The state’s top anglers will receive special honors on Feb. 10 at the Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition at the DCU Center in Worcester. I didn’t notice any winners from Manchaug Pond but I did notice that fish caught in our waters could have had achance. For instance the neighbor’s grandson caught a 6lb + bass when he was 10 years old. For the youth pin a minimum weight of 4 lbs is required for a bass and who knows who will enter. Every fish caught at our dock is a winner! Big or small it is a thrill. Fishare named and thrown back in to lure out another day or in 5 minutes ifthey are hungry :)) This fish was caught this summer. A beauty by anystandards! Click the title of this post to get the list of winners, the requirements for the program, and the weight stations tobring in your prize fish. And send me photos of your prize catch!
Super Bowl Sunday
Sunshine, but cold and breeezey.
Snow means Snowmobiles!
Finally snow! and on the lake, snow means SNOWMOBILES! and four, three and two wheelers!Saturday, quite a few came from the boat ramp as well as the a few cottages around the lake. How many snowmobiles does a trailer like that hold? Four?
Life on the Lake
Having raised 4 children on the lake, over the years I have to say I have never heard any of them say they were bored. The lake certainly is the center of activity no matter what the season! Here’s more photos from Sunday: How about 4 wheeling and a visit with neighbors! or ice skating! or snowmobiling! or snowboarding!? or ice fishing! or cross-country ice skating!? or your own fishing derby! Whatever the fun, we are always a little sad when we have to go home! Manchaug Pond, a great place to be!