Sunday

Early this morning it was sunny and windy - a great day for sailing!





But now the wind has calmed with blue skies at the northern end of the lake and overcast to the south.

Have a restful day! Let's stop and see what is in bloom... a few native flowers:

Swamp Honeysuckle (Rhododendron viscosum)


Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana)


and Common Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium montanum)






along the shore of Manchaug Pond!

Anyone Know This One? A Moth of a Different Color

Here's a photo sent in from Area 2! Thank you for the submission!


Yes, it is very interesting with the Tarantula-like legs and the unusual antenna, not to mention the colors of the wings. By the antennae, I would venture to say we have a moth.



Anyone know it's name?

New Article: "That Dam Issue"

THAT DAM ISSUE-
Company, officials clash over proposed pond breach

BY JOSH FARNSWORTH
Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, July 10th



Several residents and local officials from Sutton and Douglas joined state officials to voice their vehement disapproval of a plan by Manchaug Pond Reservoir Corp. to breach or remove the Manchaug Pond Dam at a public meeting Tuesday afternoon...

..."The only way to describe this is a breathtakingly terrible idea," said George X Pucci of Kopelman and Paige, Sutton's Town Counsel. "The removal of a dam makes sense when it is faulty or damaged. There are no benefits other than that Manchaug Reservoir Corp. does not want to operate it anymore."

Rep. Jennifer Callahan (D-Sutton) accused the Manchaug Reservoir Corp. of being a bully and using "scare tactics" to strong-arm other parties to take responsibility for the up-keep and general responsibility of the pond. It is an oxymoron to think we will be restoring the pond by draining it," she said. The state is not in the business of buying up dams and neither are the towns."...

... "To divest themselves is vindictive," said Pucci. "Going through with this would cripple the ability to store flood waters going into nearby Stevens Pond. It has potentially horrific consequences." ...

...Porter said lack of interest from other parties had forced the company to move forward. "We have received no offers from anyone on taking ownership of the dam," she said. "No one has even put a price tag on it."

Porter said the company has written proof that a request to sit down with Sutton was made in 2004 prior to Smith's time as administrator. ...

..."The dam no longer serves the purpose with the intent for why it was built,"
said Porter. "We believe doing this would ultimately result in a net benefit impact."

... "If the dam was to be removed, property values would decline and the rest of the
residents in Sutton and Douglas will feel the impact," said Sutton Board of Assessors
Chair Robert Nunnemacher. "It will not be a huge impact, but those people will still
have to pick up that difference." ...

...Much the opponents' frustration centered on communication. Opponents scalded the Manchaug Pond Reservoir Corp. for failure to notify Sutton on the issues prior to the town receiving the breach notice last month. Town Manager James Smith argued with Porter that in his two years as town administrator he had never been contacted about negotiations with the town on breaching or removing the dam. ..

... A representative from MassDEP said the organization will be involved in the permitting end of the project and will comment on the matter soon.

David Schmidt, President of the Manchaug Pond Association told the meeting attendees that..."Manchaug Pond is needed now more than ever."....


Click title of post to link to Millbury-Sutton Chronicle for the entire, detailed article.

Last Night on Manchaug Pond

Calm, cool and clear was yesterday evening.





During today's early morning moonlight, the faint call of an owl broke the 3:25 a.m. silence.

Reminded me of the children's classic, "Owl Moon" by Jane Yolan. Sure wish someone was there in the watershed getting the photo!

Thanks to the MPA member who submitted the photos above.

Today's Telegram FLASH

Once again Telegram & Gazette correspondent, Ruth Vecchione reports on the blow-by-blow news lakeside - this time in the FLASH for Grafton, Millbury and Sutton and from the Sutton Board of Selectman's perspective.

Here she goes...

Finally, Selectman Kevin Geraghty, with the board's agreement, expressed their opposition to the attempt by Manchaug River Corp. to breach the dam along with their support of what the town's attorneys and the Conservation Commission are doing in the matter.

Mr. Smith said they have retained George X. Pucci of Kopelman & Paige to represent the town.

"It's a dramatic turn of events, a not-so-veiled threat by the company. Their interest is not the environment or dam safety. They are interested in divesting their responsibility." he said. "I think they're in for a war with the community and the state."


Good choice of quotes, Ms. Vecchione! And well said Mr. Smith and Mr. Geraghty!

Remember readers that you can see for yourself the meetings of our Sutton and Douglas Selectman and Conservation Commission at the towns' websites.

Here's the link to Sutton's award winning website:

http://www.suttonma.org/Pages/index

On the left side of the home page, click Sutton TV online to view the meeting. On the right, click for the Board's decision and how to submit testimony.

And yes, I did noticed that the dam owner is incorrectly listed as Manchaug River Corp. ... but I kind of like it!
But for the record, the dam owner is Manchaug Reservoir Corp. c/o Interface Flooring Systems of Atlanta Georgia.



This morning's photo taken by a new MPA photographer, thank you!

Do you think this bird species, the Cormorant, would continue to live at Manchaug Pond if it is reduced by 180 acres to a shallow, eutrophic swamp?

The Value of Water: MPA Speaks on Behalf of Manchaug Pond

MPA President David Schmidt present the "NO BREACH" position of the Manchaug Pond Association at state MEPA meeting.

Meeting of MEPA (Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act)
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Environmental Notification Form # 14435
July 7, 2009, 3:30 p.m., Sutton Town Hall




TESTIMONY OF THE MANCHAUG POND ASSOCIATION
David Schmidt, President

Thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of Manchaug Pond. My name is David Schmidt, I am President of the Manchaug Pond Association. This organization was formed over 40 years ago to promote the welfare and correct use of Manchaug and its watershed. My family has owned a summer cottage on Manchaug since 1938 along with many of the other 120 property owners. In addition to our members, many enjoy this 380 acre lake through the public access boat ramp, the campgrounds, the YMCA day camp for inner city kids, as well as those who view from the historic Waters Farm. We will be sumbitting written testimony based on the observations and experiences of living with this Great Pond as our backyard. We strongly oppose this project and foresee many issues and hardships caused by its action.

Today we respectfully ask that the scope of the MEPA process consider:

First - the impacts to Manchaug Pond and the bordering ecosystem: to our private wells; our two coldwater tributaries and native brook trout fisheries; to the 4 vernal pools and the bordering critical habitat area; to the wetlands, coves and bank and the significant 380 acreage under the water, habitat to fisheries and other wildlife; to public access; and to the strides we are making with the current s. 319 DEP storm water grant; and to our non-chemical control of invasive aquatic species.

and Secondly - to the downstream users and ecosystems of the Mumford and Blackstone River systems. Manchaug Reservoir is the headwaters of the Mumford River. It is the largest reservoir on the river system and with Whitin Reservoir contributes the major portion of the flow of the river. Downstream impacts include those to Stevens and the many other smaller ponds but more dramatic are those to the major water users: the Whitinsville Water Company, the Douglas Waste Water Treatment Plant, the Milford Power Plant, and the soon to be Alternatives Unlimited hydroelectric plant.

While the Manchaug Pond dam has served the mill industry safely for 130 years, it must not be discarded. Today this rich water resource provides a more important role. Its water storage capability provides the flow for drinking water and waste water treatment, for life in the river system, and an environmental habitat to many diverse wildlife species. Manchaug Pond is needed now more than ever, especially in light of today's environmental pressures and the valley's build-out potential. In closing, we challenge the dam owner to recognize the value of Manchaug Reservoir to the community and to the Commonwealth, and to work creatively and in partnership to preserve Manchaug Pond and the Mumford River system. Thank you for your consideration.


The MPA as well as many other local and state boards and agencies will be submitting detailed comments about the concerns for this latest proposal of the dam owner - Manchaug Reservoir Corp. c/o Interface, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia


Speaking in support of Manchaug Pond this day, with many grave concerns over this project:
Rep. Jennifer Callahan, Sutton resident and District Representative
Rep. Paul Kujawski, District Representative for Douglas
James Smith, Sutton Town Administrator
George Pucci, Attorney, Kopelman and Paige, representing Town of Sutton and SCC
Mark Briggs, Chairman Sutton Conservation Commission (SCC)
David Schmidt, President, Manchaug Pond Association
Jeffrey Roelofs, Attorney, Law office of Jeffrey L. Roelofs, for Lake Manchaug Camping
Robert Nunnemacher, Assessor, Sutton Board of Assessors
Kevin Geraghty, Member, Sutton Board of Selectman
Jack Sheehan, Member, Sutton Conservation Commission
Peter Coffin, Coordinator, Blackstone River Coalition


Also addressing the dam owner:
Richard Lindstrom, Sutton Resident, asked for information on the old Indian dam.


In attendance:
A extensive list of Sutton and Douglas town officials; many property owners from Manchaug, Stevens Pond and along the Mumford River, Sutton residents; leaders and members of organizations from Manchaug Pond Association, Mass Audubon, Blackstone River Coalition, Blackstone River Watershed Association, MA Congress of Lakes and Ponds, Whitin Reservoir Watershed District, and the Mass Bass Federation; and representatives from state agencies from Mass Department of Environmental Protection, Mass Department of Conservation and Recreation, Mass Department of Fish and Game, etc., etc.

Consider putting your thoughts and concerns about the removal of the Manchaug dam, the reduction of Manchaug Pond from 380 acres to 201, the elimination of Torrey Road from Parker to Holt Road, the loss of the boat ramp, and the loss of access from the shoreline properties, the impact to the environment upstream, downstream and along the river...

put it on paper, in writing and

send to:

Secretary Ian A. Bowles
EOEA, Attn: MEPA Office
William Gage, EOEA No. 14435
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston MA 02114

http://www.mass.gov/envir/mepa/secondlevelpages/submittingcomments.htm
Deadline for submission is July 14th.

New Bird Circles Manchaug and Whitin

This afternoon a new sight was in the skies of Manchaug. This bird, slow and low, circled Manchaug Pond and than headed west to Whitin Reservoir. Can anyone identify it?



We could hear it for sometime before it came back over Manchaug Pond and then headed east.



Lots of activity at the dam and in the skies of Manchaug Pond today.


Personally, I rather see our herons, eagles and osprey.

Telegram Reports on State Meeting Where NO Support for Breach Strongly Voiced!

The reporter of the following Worcester Telegram article, Ruth Vecchione, is seated in the center of the photo to the left of MPA President Dave Schmidt.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Dam breach comments mostly critical
MEPA official conducts meeting with residents of Sutton, Douglas



David Schmidt, president of the Manchaug Pond Association, lists the reasons the Manchaug Pond Dam should remain in place. (T&G Staff/JIM COLLINS)

By Ruth Vecchione CORRESPONDENT

SUTTON — Despite torrential rain and the threat of severe thunderstorms, more than 60 Sutton and Douglas residents, state and local officials packed the selectmen’s meeting room yesterday afternoon for the state-held meeting on Manchaug Reservoir Corp.’s petition to breach the Manchaug Pond Dam.

William Gage of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office heard opinions from local officials and residents yesterday afternoon on the environmental impact of the proposed breaching. (Mr. Gage will continue to accept comments on environmental impact in writing until Tuesday at the state Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, 100 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114.)

The Manchaug Reservoir Corp.no longer operates in Massachusetts and doesn’t need the power the dam once provided. The 350-acre pond is in both Sutton and Douglas, has 125 lakefront homes and is used for boating and fishing.

Wendy Porter of Manchaug Reservoir Corp. outlined the pluses and minuses identified by her company.

She emphasized restoration of the natural pond and ecosystems as benefits to breaching the dam. She identified the loss of underwater habitat, a decrease of 174 acres of the pond’s footprint and the loss of 9,147 linear feet of banking as the adverse impacts.

State Rep. Jennifer M. Callahan, D-Sutton, called the proposal ludicrous. “It’s an oxymoron to say we’re restoring the great pond by draining it,” she said.

She said it’s amazing that the company would be willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on breaching the dam without substantive negotiations beyond coming before the Conservation Commission.

Town Administrator James A. Smith said he knew of no discussions regarding acquisition of the dam since he came to Sutton two years ago.

Ms. Porter maintained that the Manchaug Reservoir Corp. had sought out the Manchaug Pond Association, the towns of Sutton and Douglas, the Whitin Watershed District and one campground owner about assuming ownership of the dam.

“In 2004, we were afforded a meeting with the town of Douglas. We were not afforded a meeting here. We were told the town of Sutton was not interested,” she said.

She said no one has put a price tag on the dam, but the company was open to negotiating. “We have received no offers,” she said.

Town Counsel George X. Pucci of Kopelman & Paige and Peter Coffin of the Blackstone River Coalition expressed concern about the downstream impact of removing the dam.

Where Manchaug Reservoir Corp. said the dam “no longer serves the purpose for which it was built,” Mr. Coffin said the flows are still used downstream both for sewage treatment and wildlife habitat. There has not been a natural flow in the Blackstone Valley for 200 years, he said.

Mr. Pucci said that if the dam was breached there would be no ability to store flood water, which would harm Stevens Pond directly below and then Manchaug Village residents beyond that.

“The only benefit would be the economic interest of the proponent,” he said.

Representing the owners of Lake Manchaug Campground, lawyer Jeffrey L. Roelofs of Newburyport said the company should approach municipalities and state officials with a reasonable proposal if it wants to divest itself of the responsibilities of dam ownership.

“They should be taking the lead on that,” he said. “My comments extend to the local officials.”

Sutton Selectman Kevin Geraghty recognized the company’s business problem and liability issue. But, he said, there’s got to be a better way to achieve its business goal.

“I hope we can get to a point of having discussions,” he said.

A Great Day for Manchaug Pond!

Today was the meeting in which the dam owner presented their latest plan - breaching the Manchaug Pond dam. Today was the day legislators, many state and local officials from Sutton and Douglas, residents from Manchaug and Stevens Pond, and Whitin Res and the heads of many environmental/lake/river groups stood in support of Manchaug Pond and the Mumford/Blackstone River system.

This email was waiting for me when I returned home...


"...I'm sure happy we moved to such a well loved and cared for lake."


Me too! Thank you to all those who attended in support of Manchaug Pond!



More details tomorrow! Check the newspapers as I counted at least 4 reporters in attendance.

High Water and the Manchaug Pond Dam

With the July 4th weekend - always exciting on the lake! - we are thrilled to have finally reached a high water level! A cause alone for celebration!



BUT remember....

1.) The waterlevel will be coming down from now on as the dam owner, Manchaug Reservoir Corporation c/o Interface of Atlanta, Georgia, will be following the 1930 Rule Curve elevation - not actual historic levels. This means the water level was to peak in June (an elevation of 518.3 which was never reached) and then starts to drop off in July.


2.) The dam owners has filed an ENF/application #14435 to breach the Manchaug Pond dam with MEPA (Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office) of the
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

All interested individuals, meaning YOU and ME, may attend a special meeting this

Tuesday, July 7th at 3:30 p.m.

at the Sutton Town Hall, Uxbridge Road in the Selectman's meeting room

As the Sutton website reports:
An Environmental Notification form has been submitted for the “Restoration of Manchaug Pond – Douglas & Sutton” Project. This project requires a mandatory Environmental Impact Report (EIR). A consultation meeting will be held to receive advice and comments from agencies, official and citizens regarding which environmental issues are significant for this project. Opinions as to the extent of the significance of possible environmental impacts will be welcome.

The meeting will include a brief presentation of the project by the proponent, with periods for questions, answers, and open comment. Additional comments will be welcome in writing prior to July 14, 2009.

Link for the town website: http://www.suttonma.org/Pages/index

Link to the project summary the dam owner submitted: http://www.mass.gov/envir/mepa/secondlevelpages/currentissue.htm

Check the archives/older posts such as June 18th for more information.

Any questions?

The Value of Water: Part three - The Flow of the Mumford River

Okay, Mumford River?! - now you are probably saying where is she going with this one! Who cares about the Mumford River! This is Manchaug! Doesn't she have enough to write about?

Well, I've been re-reading my copy of the Mumford River Low Flow Study (better than reading Dam Removal in Massachusetts: A Basic Guide for Project Proponents!) If you remember the low flow study, you are shaking your head up and down fully aware of where we are going! Click the link on our blog or read it in the original Notice of Intent filed by the dam owner. Anyway, the low flow study was published in 2003 for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs by the engineering firm of Gomez and Sullivan to specifically investigate recurring low-flow observations in the river; from Manchaug Pond, Whitin Res. and every pond, dam and use east along the Mumford River to the Blackstone River in Uxbridge.

The work and concern of own Douglas Conservation Commissioner, Mr. Mike Yacino is cited along with those of the Blackstone River Watershed as the reason for the study. (1st page, second paragraph) The study reveals that Mr. Yacino's observations, experience, and volunteer work were right on target! His concern is valid not only from a conservation/environmental perspective but because the Douglas Water/Sewer Department (user of 15% of the flow) in 1998-2001 was the second largest user of the river with increase use each year of the study! (Let's hope Mr. Yacino is re-appointed to his position on the commission!)

Other big users included the Whitinsville Water Company (70%), the Interface Fabrics mill(13%), and the Whitinsville Golf Course (2%). Water was/is also withdrawn and trucked out of the watershed to the Milford power plant during the summer months for cooling water use and sold by WWC outside the watershed.

The study reveals: "From the Mumford River's origin at the outlet of Manchaug Pond to the confluence with the Blackstone River there are 13 mainstem dams. The river travels approximately 13.5 miles over this same stretch and has a total drainage area of 56.6 mi2 - thus: there is approximately one dam every mile. There are roughly 37 dams impounding ponds, lakes, and reservoirs in the Mumford River watershed.... The most prominent waterbodies in the watershed that are over 50 acres in size include: Crystal Lake (94 acres), Manchaug Reservoir (353-380), Stevens Pond (83 acres), Whitin Reservoir (330 acres), Lackey Pond (120 acres), Meadow Pond (55 acres), Whitins Pond (135 acres), and Carpenter Reservoir (83 acres)...."

Note that Manchaug is by far the largest : "Manchaug and Whitin Reservoirs collectively control a large portion of the Mumford River flow. These two reservoirs have significant storage capacity ..." We are the big players! A recently reappointed Douglas Conservation Commissioner stated to me that if Manchaug was breached, the dam at Stevens Pond would take care of the town. I think not - Steven's does not have the storage capacity of Manchaug which is filled with snow melt and spring rains, and stores the water, with Whitin to "supplement naturally low flow conditions by reducing impoundment levels in the summer to maintain 16cfs below Gilboa Pond." (the staff gauge is below Gilboa Pond in Douglas and is mandated by MassDEP.)

So given all that, what do you think?

Well, I think... #1. Manchaug and Whitin have the largest acreage and storage capacity of the river. Breach Manchaug... and see the river, Whitins, and every pond all the way to the Blackstone in big trouble not to mention every user. It will redefine the term low-flow!

So that makes me feel like ... there is NO WAY the state will allow the dam owner to breach the headwaters of the Mumford River. We haven't even talked about wetlands, fisheries, etc. There's the value of Manchaug!


#2. Looking at the big water users: drinking water (Whitinsville, Northbridge and other towns), waste water treatment (Douglas, Northbridge), irrigation (Whitinsville Golf Course), power plant (Milford). and soon the hydroelectric plant at Alternatives Unlimited. Hmmm.

Let's look at the little water users at Manchaug: the 120 lakeshore residents (40% year round - 60% seasonal), the 3 campgrounds' day swimmers and campers, the YMCA Camp for inner city kids, the Waters Farm view, numerous fishing and canoe/kayak clubs and Joe Boater from the ramp. Hmmm.

Then there are the creatures who call Manchaug home who only have our voice: fish, birds, muskrats (or is that the Tucker Pond beaver?), frogs, turtles, dragonflies, etc.

So that makes me think of the value of this water in terms of ownership and control!


For the record: The members of the Manchaug Pond Association do not take this water for granted and from day one - actually before 1967 when the association was founded! - see the value of Manchaug Pond. We will continue to work towards its preservation and towards a workable solution.

Fireworks Start Early on Manchaug Pond!

The sky provided the fireworks on Manchaug Pond tonight as only a couple camps had their July 4th cookouts.

Foam Flows into Manchaug at Holbrook's Cove

Thursday as more rain brought the level of Manchaug higher, it also brought Aldrich Pond up sending a large amount of white water over their falls into Holbrook's Cove.



Amazingly, the water entered Manchaug filled with white "sudsy" water with the foam ranging in size from large balls the size of basketballs to very tiny. I could not imagine what it was as we drove by. It appeared as large chunks of stryrofoam floating throughout the area!



Closeup it appears very much like soap suds, but my guess is this foam was caused not only by the strong turbulence created with the large volume of water coming over the falls but also because of the high level of organic materials in the water: algae from the little pond's algae blooms, aquatic plants, and decomposing plant material.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality explains further: "The foam that appears along lakeshores is most often the result of the natural die-off of aquatic plants. Plants are made up of organic material, including oils (i.e., corn oil and vegetable oil). When the plants die and decompose, the oils contained in the plant cells are released and float to the surface. Once the oils reach the lake surface, wind and wave action pushes them to the shore. The concentration of the oil changes the physical nature of the water, making foam formation easier. The turbulence and wave action at the beach introduces air into the organically enriched water, which forms the bubbles. Foam commonly occurs in waters with high organic content such as productive lakes, bog lakes."

This will be documented Saturday morning as the volunteers from the Blackstone River Watershed Association/Blackstone River Coalition take their monthly water samples at Manchaug's inlet and outlet.

Don't You Love Water!

Around town, Manchaug Pond residents are subjected to comments like:

"Okay, it's time to stop the rain dance!"

"Is your water level high enough!"

"Could you pray for sunshine now!?!"

"Rain.... again!"

Our response: Just a big grin! :))

Yesterday evening, the water at Manchaug Pond reached a level where it was flowing over the flashboards of the Manchaug Pond dam. Who would have thought we would have received so much rain this May and June to bring us up to this level! Not only is the water bringing our lake, shoreline, coves and wetlands back to life but we are seeing how our site work for the storm drain grant is taking the flow of the storm run-off!

Don't you just love the water!

Granted the flashboards just don't seem to quite measure up to their 3.5 foot height as described in the engineers' inspection reports and other official documents but we are at a good level!

Here's the flashboards last night.



Here's the flow over the flashboards out the spillway.



With 1 1/2 inches of rain yesterday and another 2 this morning and now a storm as I write, the rain gauge continues to fill and



the dam owner has opened the low level gate.




Well, I guess we should be thankful they haven't decided to employ a new strategy of flooding us out!!