Waterlevel & Dam

The waterlevel of Manchaug Pond is of utmost importance to the health of this lake ecosystem, the quality of life for year-round and seasonal residents and tourists, the safety of property and residences along the shoreline and downstream, and the maintenance of water in-lake and downstream flow feeding dependent fisheries, drinking water sources, water-dependent businesses. Key to maintaining the proper waterlevel is the Manchaug Pond Dam which is now owned, operated, and maintained by the Town of Sutton.

THE WATERLEVEL:
What's happening at the pond!

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2024

~ March 11:  Refill underway with only 11" to full: healthy fisheries for spring spawning, happy toads, frogs and amphibians in the wetlands, and the recreation season in the lake.

~ March 1: The flow out the dam has been reduced to begin spring refill. The lake serving as a reservoir, capturing precipitation, snow and ice melt, and runoff from the surrounding hills of the watershed for use during the dry summer month.  Additionally, this reservoir/dam system prevents flooding both of the lake shoreline, islands and downstream, allows for a healthy lake environment supporting spawning fisheries and wetland habitats, on-lake recreation, and a constant flow for a healthy downstream ecosystem.

~ February: End of the month finally saw the waterlevel down close to December winter drawdown levels.

~ January 19: The town was able to bring the waterlevel down additionally but with freezing temperatures and higher waterlevel potential damage to docks, boats and shoreline walls remain a concern.

~ January 17: Flow out lowlevel gate had been reduced to address flooding concerns downstream. Manchaug Pond and Stevens Pond remain well above winter drawdown levels as off-site pumping and runoff from 45 Oak St. construction site bring additional water to Manchaug in addition to seasonal rainfall. MPF has again expressed urgency to town officials with ice forming on lake and docks in water.

~ January 16: Town Reports not having closed the gate since opening on December 11th. Concerns for ice and potential damage to docks and boats was conveyed with urgency to the town once again.

2023

~ December 22: With rain and two significant, unexpected runoff events from the Douglas Oak Street Solar construction site, the lake water level has risen by 40 inches  - just 15" below full.  The Town caretaker reports the dam is open full to restore winter drawdown rule curve levels establishing needed capacity to capture future rain and watershed snowmelt in order to prevent flooding.

~ December 11: Dam opened with rain.

~ November 20: Drawdown reaches low of 4.5 feet with flow reduced in accordance with rule curve/Order of Conditions.

~ November 20: Winter drawdown continues with Manchaug Pond down close to 4 feet at present.

~ October: Winter drawdown of the waterlevel begins.

~ July: With significant rainfall and runoff from the watershed, the waterlevel of Manchaug Pond remains at full with the dam owner maintaining full flow out of the dam.

~ May: The lake continues to serve as a reservoir, capturing rainwater and runoff from the watershed. Levels are above full with the Dam Owner monitoring levels at lake and downstream.

~ March 20: Significant gains in the waterlevel as Manchaug Pond serves as a reservoir capturing recent heavy rains and continued runoff from the watershed.  Check and secure boats and docks!

~February 20: With the lake open,and little ice around the shore, refill has begun with the closing of the low-level gate.

2022

~October: Mid-month the town will begin the winter drawdown. The waterlevel will gradually go down reaching it's winter low the end of January-early February. Thanks to the dam owner for delaying the drought allowing the waterlevel to catch up with the schedule/rule curve.

~July/August: With drought conditions,little to no rain, and high temperatures/back to back heat waves have caused evaporation and no recharge resulting in a low lake waterlevel.  Boaters should watch for rocks and other submerged hazards.

~May:  Waterlevel at full for summer season

~April 7: Waterlevel nearing full. Low level gate seems to be obstructed with little to no flow visible.

~March 14: Refill has begun - with Manchaug Pond serving as a reservoir to capture snow melt and precipitation for a higher summer waterlevel.

~February 22: Flow increased to accommodate heavy rains and take waterlevel lower to ward off ice damage to docks, etc. Warm temperatures and wind are causing ice to melt and break up.

~ January-February: Winter lake-level drawdown reaches it lowest point the end of January-early February.

2021

~ October: Frequent rainfall continues to enable the waterlevel to be kept at full.  The flow out the dam has been maintained.  Winter drawdown will begin this month.

~ Sept 1-2: Over 6 inches of rain received at Manchaug Pond bringing us over the full mark but not as high as tropical storm Elsa levels. Town addressing.

~ August 30: Close monitoring and dam open in anticipation of the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

~August 24: With the passing of hurricane Henri,  the flow out both Manchaug and Stevens dams was reduced today so as to keep the lakes at "full."  Water levels are at the top of the boards.  The town will keep a close eye on the levels as water is still flowing in from the watershed but with some hot dry weather the next couple days, we want to conserve in order to remain full.

~ August 20: Both Manchaug Pond and Stevens Pond dams are open to address the over 3 inches of rain received yesterday and the predicted rains expected this weekend.  The Town is monitoring first thing this morning and will be monitoring water levels this weekend. The dams will be closed if needed to maintain full levels. Concerns or questions? Contact Manchaug Pond Foundation.

~July 16: The town reports the boards are back in place at the Steven's Pond dam - repairs made!  Extra flow from Manchaug Pond - as we are overfull by 5"- will help restore Steven's to summer level.

~July 15: Dam caretaker reports we are just above full, ready for a dry spell (haha!) and at a good level to maintain for the rest of the summer. For those who lived and camped here during the previous ownership and control of the dam by the textile mill downstream in Douglas, we are currently at the old "FULL" mark when there was another flashboard in the spillway.

Also, looking downstream, a bit of work needs to be done at the Steven's Pond dam.  The town will complete, ASAP, once the appropriate waterlevel is achieved. Manchaug Pond is not expected to be impacted at all - before, during or after.

~July 10: How about the whole lake be declared a "NO WAKE Zone!" Dam open full addressing watershed run-off.  Waterlevel at a high point just under previous dam owner's typical early spring level.

~July 9: The  dam remains fully open as tropical storm Elsa and preceding rainfall dumps another near 5" of heavy rain.    Wetlands in the watershed exceeded capacity spilling over on to roadsides particularly on Holt Road, upstream on Manchaug Road and NW Main Street. Checking areas of concern and structural BMP's - catch basins, swales, rain gardens, etc installed with past grant monies were by Manchaug Pond Foundation and Towns of Douglas and Sutton.

~ July 3: With over 5 inches of rain realized this week, there is a flow out of the dam over the flashboards and the caretaker has the low-level gate fully open to accommodate the steady run-off from watershed streams and outfalls.

~ June 1: Thanks to Town of Sutton for careful regulation of the dam, capturing the significant rainfall in order to have a great boating and fishing season yet knowing when to open the dam to prevent flooding around the lake and down stream.   Going into the season looking good!

~ Memorial Day Weekend: Today's rain has brought us to a full lake with water flowing over the dam flashboards. Being the start of the season, the goal of the dam caretaker is to keep us full, maintaining as long as possible through the drier summer season. Please know that during rain events,  the town monitors the waterlevel and dam - weekends and holidays too.

~ May: In spite of a severe drought in Massachusetts, the waterlevel has reached full.

~ March: The spring refill has begun with the lake serving as a reservoir, capturing precipitation, snow and ice melt, and runoff from the surrounding hills of the watershed for use during the dry summer month.  Additionally, this prevents flooding both of the lake shoreline, islands and downstream; allows for a healthy lake environment supporting spawning fisheries and wetland habitats and on-lake recreation[ and a constant flow for a healthy downstream.

~End January/Early February: The waterlevel reaches it's low for the drawdown.

With 6+ inches of ice, many are enjoying ice fishing, snowmobiling, and more!

2020

~ October 26:  Today the dam low-level gate was partially opened to begin the winter drawdown. The waterlevel will gradually go down reaching it's winter low the end of January-early February. Thanks to the dam owner for delaying the drought allowing the waterlevel to catch up with the schedule/rule curve.

~ September 8: Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) reports that "Due to four months of below normal rainfall, a Level 2 – Significant Drought has been declared in all seven regions of the Commonwealth – the Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast, Southeast, Cape Cod, and Islands regions. The drought level remains unchanged from the previous month’s declaration.

At a Level 2 – Significant Drought, as outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, conditions are becoming significantly dry and warrant detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, emphasis on water conservation, more stringent watering restrictions, and technical outreach and assistance for the affected municipalities."

Tips for Saving Water: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/drought-basics-and-tips-for-saving-water

~ August 21: The Town of Sutton re-affirmed that the low-level gate is fully closed as it has been all season. No extra outflow.

Weds., August 19, 2020 outflow of the closed low-level gate of the Manchaug Pond Dam.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency reports today: "Due to above normal temperatures throughout July and early August and more than three months of below normal rainfall, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides declared a Level 2 – Significant Drought in all seven regions of the Commonwealth – the Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast, Southeast, Cape Cod, and Islands regions." Link to Full Report.

~ August 17: The low-level gate remains closed as it has been all summer.  The visible flow is, by design of the gate itself, a required 1/2 inch minimum outflow to support healthy fisheries downstream as required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

~ August: This summer' significant drought conditions - little to no precipitation, no inflow from the watershed, and evaporation with the sunny and hot weather - is causing the waterlevel to drop.

~ June 1: The waterlevel remains at full. Thank you to the dam caretaker as he adjusts for rainfall and dry times.

~ April 13: The significant rainfall and runoff from the watershed has brought the lake to full. With continued flow coming in and rain in the forecast, the dam low-level gate will be opened to prevent flooding.

~ April 7: The dam owner reports with rain in the forecast, the waterlevel is expected to reach the full mark by Monday.

~ April 1: Waterlevel is nearing full, having made considerable gains over the week/weekend. Recent precipitation and subsequent watershed runoff are resulting in significant gains.  Coming into March with no ice or snow cover, and drought conditions made for a slower refill process.  Low-level gate remains closed.

~ March 6: The winter drawdown period comes to an end with open water and no ice on the lake. The low level gate is closed and flashboards are in for the refill process this month. Everyone living and working around the lake need to be aware of rising water levels and take the necessary safety precautions. This is also a good time to clean waterfront areas of litter, rake up and remove leaves so they do not decompose in the lake, and remove invasive aquatic plants from shoreline areas.

~ August 1:  The waterlevel has remained constant through these summer months. 

~January-February: The dam low-level gate remains open as winter low are achieved and snowmelt, rain, and watershed runoff are captured. Gate is open 100%.  Expectation is with no to little precipitation the lake can be lowered fast for drawdown to resume. High water downstream in the Mumford River is being monitored but Stevens is handling Manchaug's outflow.~

Frequently Asked Questions:


  • Who owns the Manchaug Pond Dam?   The Town of Sutton owns the dam.  The Manchaug Pond Foundation holds the deed to the flow-rights of Douglas and Sutton.  Both entities work together, the Manchaug Pond Foundation in an advisory role, in the interest of the waterlevel and benefit of the lake, neighboring properties, and down stream safety.
  • Who operates and maintains the dam?  The operation and care of the dam is executed by the dam owner monitoring daily and in accordance with the Order of Conditions issued by the Sutton Conservation Commission citing the MassDEP Unilateral Administrative Order and actual historic rule curve levels.
  • What are  the waterlevel goals?
    • April 1st:  Achieve FULL. Refill of the lake from the winter drawdown occurs in February and March in order to bring the waterlevel to full or just above as required by Mass DEP (Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection) and Mass Wildlife (Mass. Department of Fish and Wildlife) for healthy fisheries during spawning months.
    • Spring/Summer: Maintain FULL as much as possible for connectivity to coldwater fishery stream and healthy fisheries in coves, wetlands and along shore as required by Mass Wildlife. This is dependent on rainfall, evaporation and downstream conditions.
    • Mid-October: Winter DRAWDOWN begins.
    • Mid-Late January: Reach greatest low of drawdown.
    • Late January-Early February: End winter drawdown.

Manchaug Pond Foundation

  • Will another flashboard be added to the dam spillway?  No, the current number of flashboards are for normal operation and to get us to "full."
  • Who decides if the gate is open or closed?  The dam caretaker makes that determination. Many variables are considered from the weather forecast, to the presence/absence of snow cover in the watershed and ice cover on the lake, to runoff and saturated soils or lack of in the surrounding watershed, to conditions downstream at Stevens Pond and in the Mumford and Blackstone Rivers. Whatever the situation, you have a voice in the Manchaug Pond Foundation who works closely with the town. Waterlevel issues affect public safety, the health of the lake ecosystem, needs of shoreline properties, public access and recreation, flood prevention, drinking water wells and septic systems, control of invasive aquatic species, and more.
  • Why is the dam low-level gate open ... or closed?  Possible reasons include winter lake-level drawdown, maintaining spring/summer season FULL, a rain or a storm event in the forecast, the low-level gate needs to be flushed, dam maintenance to be performed, or downstream work on the Steven's Dam or a change in downstream water needs.
  • Is the dam safe? Yes, the dam undergoes regular inspections both informal as part of its daily operation and formal by an outside inspector as part of the requirements of the Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety (MassODS) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
  • Who can I contact with a question or concern?  Ask it here! Manchaug Pond Foundation fields questions and concerns of the property owners and the user-community serving as the liaison with local and state regulating agencies.

    Aerial View of Manchaug Pond Dam - November 2018






    Winter Lake-level Drawdown & Refill

    WHEN?

    Winter Drawdown:

    October:  The annual drawdown of the waterlevel begins about Columbus Day or the first week of October reaching its lowest point in January-February. This is a gradual drawdown with timing to allow for amphibians, reptiles and other aquatic organisms to move to deeper water before ice formation and substrate freezing and to provide fall recreational opportunities.

    Lake Refill:

    March-April: Lake refill must be achieved by April 1st to provide a stable pool elevation and habitat for spring spawning and connectivity with the watershed in-flowing cold water fishery stream.*

    WHY?

    Flood Control:

    The lower winter waterlevel provides storage capacity for runoff from unusually high precipitation and snow-melt events.

    Dam Maintenance:

    With the upstream face of the dam exposed during drawdown, inspection and maintenance can be performed as needed which would include re-pointing and facing of the stone and concrete face.

    Invasive Species Control:

    Since 1990, the Manchaug Pond Foundation and its parent organization, the Manchaug Pond Association, has worked with the dam owner to employ lake-level drawdown as the best option for controlling aquatic invasive species.  2018 both the Sutton and Douglas Conservation Commissions issued Order of Conditions  (DEP file numbers 303-0866 and 143-0956) which mandates drawdown and other physical/mechanical means of management as the first-line of defense in the control of invasives.

    Lycott Environmental's Lee Lyman, a pioneer in the management of ecological systems, first recommended tweeking the timing of our annual drawdown to both protect native species and to knock down unwanted invasives populations.   Providing the weather conditions are conducive, it makes a difference.

    Drawdown allows for the desiccation, freezing, and physical disruption of plants, roots, and seed beds around the shoreline. In addition to reducing the growth of non-native invasive weeds such as Fanwort and Variable Milfoil, Manchaug Pond Foundation notes successful control of Asian Clam at the state public access boat ramp.   A look at Manchaug Pond's bathymetry  shows how lake-level drawdown can be an effective method for aiding in the management of aquatic vegetation in the shallow shoreline areas of lakes and ponds.





    Winter drawdown allows for the desiccation, freezing and physical disruption of plants, roots, and seed beds around the shoreline.

    Winter drawdown keeps non-native exotic invasive species in check.

    Manchaug Pond has three invasive species affected:

    • Asian Clam
    • Fanwort
    • Variable Milfoil

    Asian Clam infestation is localized at the public access boat ramp. The two submerged invasive weeds/plants, Fanwort and Variable Milfoil, were first documented in 1990 and have spread throughout the pond by motorboat usage.

    See our Weed Watcher's page to volunteer and learn more.


    Invasive Species: Asian Clam

    Invasive species: Asian Clam

    Fanwort

    Manchaug Pond Foundation No Invasives!


    THE DAM

    Purpose:Manchaug Pond Foundation

    While the waters of Manchaug Pond Reservoir are no longer needed in the manufacturing processes of downstream textile mills, today the importance of the 380 acre reservoir and its dam are no less important and are found to be farther reaching:

    • provides required minimum, continual flow in the Mumford River supporting aquatic species;
    • supplies storage capacity to attenuate flooding concerns on-lake and downstream;
    • provides and enhances fisheries and wetlands;
    • ensures connectivity with in-flowing coldwater fishery streams;
    • allows year-round recreational opportunities benefiting tourism;
    • provides higher quality of life in this corner of the Blackstone Valley and Commonwealth.

    Overall Structure & Construction

    Manchaug Pond Foundation Waterlevel & Dam

    2010 Aerial of Dam with Torrey Road at crest.

    Originally constructed in 1836 by downstream textile mill owners, its primary purpose was to impound the pond creating a reservoir to provide the mills with a continuous flow through the year.  In 1960, extensive improvements were made which included widening and raising the dam crest, constructing the downstream earthen embankment, replacing the overflow spillway, expanding the low-level outlet, and accommodating Torrey Road.

    Today, Manchaug Pond Dam stretches 330 feet long, 28 feet high, and 36 feet wide with Torrey Road at its crest and sits in the town of Sutton, Massachusetts, U.S.A. at Latitude 42.09048 N   Longitude 71.76630 W. The upstream side of the dam is a stepped-face stone-masonry wall made up of large stone blocks with joints mortared with concrete. The downstream slope is a grass/vegetation covered earth slope constructed in 1960's.

    • Manchaug Pond Foundation Dam

      Dam viewed from Holt Road

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      Upstream side made of stone-masonry

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    • Looking south toward low-level gate

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    • Earthen downstream side

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    Spillway

    The overflow spillway was constructed in 1960 when extensive improvement were made to the dam.
    Primarily a reinforced- concrete box culvert, it extends from the upstream side through the center of the day to the downstream side measuring approximately 10 feet. wide by 9.35 feet high.

    2016: On February, 26th, new flashboards installed made of thick, red oak. Two flashboards were significantly damaged by a beaver in 2015.

    • Manchaug Pond Foundation Waterlevel & Dam

      Spillway with cage on upstream side

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      Spillway/culvert box opening with flashboards.

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      Culvert box of spillway as seen from upstream

    • dam flashboards

      Water flow over spillway flashboards

    Low-level Gate

    The low-level outlet is comprised of a hand-operated gate which opens to a 2 ft. by 2ft. stone conduit through the dam structure enlarging to a 2-ft. by 3-ft. high reinforced-concrete outlet on the downstream side of the earthen embankment, added during the 1960 construction.





    Operation & Maintenance:

    Visual inspections of the dam are made with daily water surface elevations and precipitation levels recorded and necessary adjustments made to the low-level gate and flashboards/stoplogs in compliance with the Conservation Commission and Mass DEP orders.

    Annual maintenance includes cutting of the grass-covered earthen embankment twice a year. Re-pointing with concrete of the upstream stepped-face's stone-masonry wall is done as needed. In compliance with Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety regulations, a Phase I Inspection/Evaluation is conducted every other year by an outside engineering firm.

    In 2006 the low-level gate mechanism was replaced with steel construction and the operator's platform renovated.

    Repairs to the spillway box culvert were made in the years 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2013.

    2016 new flashboards/stoplogs installed.

    2006  Repairs to low-level gate
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    Sources:

    • Order of Conditions. Page 10-g #32, Town of Sutton Conservation Commission. October 15, 2018. Extension secured by Manchaug Pond Foundation
    • Optimum Rule Curve approved by Sutton Conservation Commission in 2018 and utilized by Town of Sutton in operation of the dam.
    • Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO),  Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP), April 21, 2009.
    • Order of Conditions, Town of Sutton Conservation Commission March 18, 2009.
    • Drawdown Performance Standards for the Protection of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Approved September 23, 2002, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.