No Dam Reason

In a page one story this week, Peggy Roberts, our new Standish and Raymond reporter, has investigated recent rain events and how they impact the Sebago Lake rim. Aside from being a very complicated and multi-faceted issue, lake levels are a measurable concern for people who live and work around the lake and, as such, should be taken more seriously by those who regulate the water levels, namely Sappi, the keeper of the Eel Weir Dam, the only outlet of Sebago Lake.

Everyone wants something different when it comes to lake levels on Sebago Lake. Marina owners want water levels on the lake to be high to ensure access to their docks. Landowners want them high enough to reach their docks in mid-summer but low enough so their sandy beaches aren’t submerged. Conservationists want lake levels low to reduce erosion. Fishermen want them high to provide good conditions on the Presumpscot River. Sappi in Westbrook wants them high to provide more electric capacity on their Presumpscot River dams, a major source of income for the ever-shrinking Westbrook paper maker. And the Portland Water District wants the lake to maintain a level that ensures water quality – the less fluctuation the better so sand and debris aren’t loosened from the shore into the intake pipes.

Since it’s so hard to satisfy all parties in a situation like this, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issues a sort of contract that governs lake levels on the lake. Every 30 to 50 years, competing interests submit their wishes and FERC issues their recommendations for lake levels throughout the year.

But just because FERC issues a recommendation doesn’t mean those findings are adhered to, which was evident a few weeks ago. During the past few years, Sappi has exceeded FERC guidelines multiple times. The exact number is in question, but it’s in the neighborhood of three or four times in the past decade. While that may not seem a lot, it means flooded yards and basements, as well as irreversible erosion for homeowners on the lake on average every couple of years. That story is a palpable one that can cause loss of acreage and value for a lakeside property owner. Homes can lose feet off their lakefront from high water gobbling up more territory from the shore. If you don’t believe that, take a boat ride around the lake and observe the erosion caused by recent rains.

But this erosion is preventable. The Portland Water District is constantly talking about “protecting the quality of water of Sebago Lake.” And Sappi should listen to the District, because every time lake levels creep up, serious erosion – which the District says leads to pollution and lake-killing algae blooms caused by run-off – takes place and threatens the water supply.

This last flooding event is a perfect example of one such flood that could have been prevented. We had three days and three inches of rain in early May. Why didn’t Sappi open the Eel Weir Dam before the lake was so high up that Panther Run in Raymond looked like a pond rather than a snaking stream? The lake rose a foot above full pond level. Surely, that could have been prevented.

The issuing of the new FERC recommendations regarding the future of the Eel Weir Dam is currently under review. Actually the report is more than a year late. It would be interesting to know why the commission is taking such a long time to present its recommendations. Is it because Sappi has a less-than-stellar reputation as the keeper of the dam? Hopefully, one day soon, when FERC issues its findings, we will find out.

Get well, Mr. Cole

Ken Cole Jr. has written for Windham papers for more than two decades – starting with the 302 Times in 1982, then for the Courier, and then for The Suburban News and now for the Lakes Region Suburban Weekly. In all that time, he has never repeated an article. His pieces are always fresh and always interesting.

Mr. Cole is a beloved writer with a good-hearted and gentle soul that loves the out-of-doors and all that creation has to offer. And readers every week have read and enjoyed his column, This Country Life, and view it as both a learning experience and as a way to spend a few reflective minutes thinking about nature.

Mr. Cole has not been feeling well for months now and the former Boy Scoutmaster, director of the famous Philmont Scout Ranch, and author of the Boy Scout Field Book is in a serious battle with his body that has rendered him bed-ridden. He has a tube going through his back into his left kidney and a stent in his right kidney. But, the always positive and buoyant Cole is still a writer and has six new column ideas that he is looking forward to getting down on paper. Despite the pain which, this week, barred him from submitting a column for the first time ever, Mr. Cole is gathering his steam and will be back next week.

We wish you all the best Mr. Cole and thank you for your many dedicated years of quality writing that has bettered our lives with thoughts of nature. God bless!

John Balentine,

editor

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