.: Watchic Lake Dam
continued
To
maintain the summer level, the dam must be opened and closed manually
with every heavy rainfall. The
dam tender tries to control the level of the lake to the top of the gate
during the summer. This
allows some spillage through the notches in the gate to provide a
continuous run off from the surface.
The dam
is opened from the bottom rather than a spill-over type and we must open it
until we reach the normal level and then we close it to hold the water
level. Downpours fill the lake quickly and then we must dump water again to
maintain the normal level. Many
docks have been wet because or heavy rains and the high water table. Watchic Lake is primarily a
spring fed pond. We think that maintaining
the level to full pond improves the water quality. When we place our docks and boats we must
remember that the lake level will fluctuate with rain, spring feed, and
evaporation.
The Dam
Committee will be researching the possibility of lowering the dam
spillway. This would ensure that the
water levels would not fluctuate as much during the summer. It would also allow the levels to be
controlled without opening and closing the dam as often.
The dam
will be opened October 15. 2009, to lower the water level for the
winter. This helps to prevent ice
damage and erosion.
The
Watchic Lake Association welcomes everyone’s help and input. We are also looking for volunteers to serve
on the Dam Committee.
David
Bradbury, Dam Committee Chair
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