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Belgrade Lakes Wardens Say: Draw-down Weakens Ice

January 29, 2008 - BELGRADE -- Those venturing out onto the ice-covered surfaces of Great Pond, McGrath Pond or Long Pond should take care when approaching the shoreline. A one- to two-foot draw-down of water levels that ended several weeks ago has formed cracks in areas where the ice has sunk onto sloping shorelines or boulders that previously had been submerged.

Most places are still fine to walk across, according to Lt. Adam Gormely of the Maine Warden Service, but caution should be used.

"As (the water level) recedes, (the ice) gets hung up on barriers on the bottom, rocks, crib work; you create an area where the ice is no longer floating, and you have an air pocket," he said.

"It's not an elastic. You can break it. And then you have holes."

A walk Thursday evening across the ice of McGrath Pond revealed minor cracking near the shoreline and several spots where partially submerged boulders had punched through the ice.

Where this had happened, the ice was either very thin or small portions of open water appeared between the cracks.

Complicating the matter was a four-inch layer of snow that masked possible breaks.

But the majority of the ice encountered felt firm underfoot. A variety of ATV and foot tracks criss-crossed portions of the lake, and a few ice fishing shanties dotted the surface far out toward the middle.

A run of warmer weather and heavy rainfall prompted the draw-down, as the water had risen beyond prescribed levels, according to Richard MacKenzie of Belgrade, who leads a regional committee that regulates water levels in the Belgrade Lakes with a series of dams.

The committee had already drawn down water levels in the fall as part of its regular schedule, having waited until the water was too cold for swimming but not yet frozen, MacKenzie said.

"You just stay away from open water, that's all," he said. "This has been going on for years."

In a separate interview, Gormely agreed that, while people should exercise caution, the ice is not so dangerous that people must stay off the lakes completely.

Other parts of the state have more dramatic draw-downs, he said.

"This is very exaggerated in northern Maine," he said. "Some of these lakes are drawn down four or five feet."

Still, lakes-area residents and others who go out on the ice should be made aware of the timing of the draw-downs so they can take proper precautions, Gormely said.

"It's a draw-down for sure, but, no, I wouldn't say it's dramatic," he said.

Still, the effects that a two-foot drawdown will have could be "huge, really. That's a lot. And the ice on the shore will definitely be affected.



SOURCE: Kennebec Journal

DATE: 01-26-2008


Lakes: Dyer Long Pond, Great Pond
Regions: Belgrade


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