Greetings,
The Draw Down date is September 15, 2025.
This is a little later than usual - the dissolved oxygen levels and
water temperatures indicate it is time to 'Dump the Lake' to help flush
out Phosphorus, but this year's readings have been similar to the past 2
years at this point in the season, and the water remained clear the last
two years into mid September.
SO……………..we are hedging our bets and keeping the gate closed
for 2 more weeks or so.
Lots of people request that the dam gate be kept closed until later in
the fall in order to extend the boating season a bit longer. The date
to open the gate is determined by using a mathematical formula provided
by numerous lake scientists with extensive experience in the area of
lake water quality management. The determination includes weeks of data
collected by the volunteer lake water monitoring team of Donnie Gross
and Allen Whitaker, and includes several data points - it is not an
arbitrary decision.
On a different note, I have received a landslide of email messages and
comments from folks I meet in town about how much they enjoyed the
BASKET RAFFLE at the annual SLA meeting. The winners of the baskets
were pleased with their prizes, and Heidi Hutchins deserves a HUGE ROUND
OF APPLAUSE for her talent and skills in creating the baskets. Thank
you, Heidi, for your time, effort and keen eye.
Just a little community Human Interest story regarding the baskets; Dick
Barbour won the basket that contained the gift certificate to Bear's One
Stop. Dick donated that gift certificate back to the SLA, and we gave
it to Al Worden, the Director of the Newport Food Bank. Thank you to
Bear's owner Bob Berg and to Dick Barbour for supporting our neighbors.
Great weather the last few weeks, but alas, no rain. The lake water
level is LOW - please be mindful of rocks out there when you are boating.
Town property taxes are due Thursday, September 18, 2025.
The SLA Newsletter Committee will meet soon - please consider joining
the team to help produce an informative read that will keep you
entertained when you are not at camp this winter.
More soon.
Muffy
