What's
happening to the water level in Georges Pond?
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Well, we've gone through a summer (2007) with the new outlet
configuration, a relatively dry summer. Haven't heard much talk about
the water level. Most exciting thing
was the pine sprills (did I get this word right? I cannot find a
definition for it anywhere - Brian) which I know I have a picture of
somewhere. This fall there was some erosion problems near the outlet
area but I do not have much definitive about that yet. Any information
appreciated. And any comments on the water level this year. I hope to
install a staff gage in the pond in 2008 so we can keep better track of
levels along with rainfall (rain gage) - this will be a long-term data
collection project. Send comments to 
The pictures below are from 2006. Without going into the fireworks of
the Summer of the Pluggers and Flushers, as of September 2006 the
outlet pipe
configuration was changed and hopefully most if not all of the pond
residents will be happy with the results. The last time I was up was in
March and the
pond was still ice-bound. We'll have to see what the spring and summer
bring. Let's all hope this the new configuration will keep most
everyone happy.
- Brian (webmaster), April 15, 2007
From summer and fall 2006:
So much has and is happening that it really isn't possible to keep
updating this section with pictures:
Ellsworth American
article on Georges Pond Feud
Imperils Aquatic Life July 20, 2006
Ellsworth American
article Camp Owners Question Low Water Levels July 7, 2006
Here's the latest photo I have - note the plywood behind the rocks. Not
sure the date of this one but probably about July 5, 2006.
OLD
NEWS:
Dateline: April 16, 2006
As readers of Mike Heyden's FranklinMaine webpage (www.franklinmaine.net) are
already aware,
a new culvert was installed at the outlet last fall (2005) replacing
the existing one(s). This new culvert is much
larger and at a significantly lower grade than the old one(s).
Extensive "beach" areas have been created all along the pond with
ramifications known and still to be known.
Note the boards placed across the culvert - what you can't see is all
the flow going under them! And here's a pic of some of the new beach
near one of the camps near the outlet. Given the grade of the culvert,
there is still another potential 6 inches or more of water level drop.
I was last up to the pond in late March 2006 and observed the beach
creation. And I've had an email or two about it.
Mike is planning to get more information from the selectmen. Apparently
they were responsible for the change.
I also am planning to write the selectment as well as Maine DEP about
the issue. Maine DEP did weigh in on it, I am
told, early on and claimed they had no jurisdiction but that should be
revisited.
I would guess the new culvert is a response to the abnormally high
water of last spring (yes, I put my dock in way too
early, too!) and, I'm guessing, complaints from some low-lying camp
owners about flooding.
Rather than speculate further, I will await hearing from the Franklin
selectmen and Maine DEP and, along with Mike, will
publish what we find here and, I presume, on Mike's website.
If anyone has any information, pictures, comments, etc., please feel
free to send them to me at
and let me know if you want them published or kept private.
Thanks and hoping for a normal summer! - Brian
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