7102-R4_LSLA_2020_SummerNewsletter_Web

2020 Spring/Summer Hopkins Dam Report

hold off on attempting to fill these cavities at this time. We will investigate them further this summer and develop a plan to rectify this issue with a cost effective long term solution. We determined that we will need to replace the 38 year old steel gate that allows for water flow control through the dam sluiceway. It is very rusted. We are looking at different options for replacement, including stainless steel. We will have an estimate for cost at the Annual Meeting. Our plan is to replace the gate at this time next year. We have been performing our regular maintenance of the 130 year old Hopkins Dam. There are no leaks and the gate mechanism is functioning. We have started to look at the riprap on the northern side of the dam. There is no immediate need, but we envision that we will have to perform some maintenance riprap work in the next few years. We will try to post water levels on the Little Sebago Lake Facebook page on a weekly basis this spring as we bring the lake level up. Many thanks to the Dam Committee members for all of their volunteer efforts and to the Directors and members of the Little Sebago Lake Association for all of their support.

the State mandated day of April 15 th . Our goal is to be at summer high by Memorial Weekend, but Mother Nature will control that since there is no ice on the lake and the snow pack is gone. It has been a very busy winter for the Dam Committee. Dave Vance’s tireless efforts allowed the northern portion of the Hopkins Dam sluiceway to be repointed prior to the nonessential work stoppage mandate due to the COVID 19 virus. This work required that the lake be low and nighttime temps remain above freezing. Dave set up staging at the end of March in frigid temps and high winds so that the work could be done if the conditions allowed. When our very short window opened, Dave got Jon Breton’s team to come to the dam and complete the above the waterline pointing work. Dave even worked as a tender to help the Breton Masonry team get the work done. Many thanks to Dave and Breton Masonry for a job very well done in less than desirable working conditions The pointing work looks great. We will still have to do some below the waterline pointing after the water warms up, but 95% of the work is completed. discovered within the earthen dam last summer. With all of the leaks sealed, we’ve decided to

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