We All Know the Dam Is the Key to All Our Enjoyment of Bunganut Pond. Since Some of The

/ Bunganut
Shorelines
Summer 2013

Dam Update

We all know the dam is the key to all our enjoyment of Bunganut Pond. Since some of the landowners and Association members are new to the area, I thought I’d do a quick summary of the dam construction and operation.

The backbone of the dam is old Shaker stonework. The bulk of the dam is ordinary dirt faced with a layer of clay, which is the real water barrier. Between the clay and the lake is more dirt and a facing of jagged stone called rip-rap. The facing is to stop water movement from reaching the clay. The clay will hold water pressure, but moving water from waves and boat wakes would quickly wash it away. The rip-rap facing prevents that. The grass roots on top of the dam hold the dirt and slow the movement of rainwater.

The dam was partially washed out and rebuilt in the 1950’s. That’s when the old spillway floor and the fore bay and gate structure were built of concrete. The spillway was completely rebuilt a few years ago, but the gate is 1950’s construction. The gate runs on guides and is lifted by a threaded rod, opening and closing a pipe about seven feet below the top of the dam. We cleaned and painted the rod three years ago. After the scale and rust were removed, the rod was less than half the original diameter in places. That’s not that bad for fifty plus years. The guides rusted out about ten years ago and we replaced them with stainless steel, but the fastenings that hold the guides to the concrete are 1950’s iron bolts embedded in the concrete itself. They are badly corroded. We are hoping to get a close look at them this fall, and replace them if possible.

Downstream of the dam a stone-lined channel leads from the gate to the mill pond near the road. A separate stream from the spillway joins up with the channel a few hundred feet behind the dam. Persons with severe reaction to poison ivy should not enter these areas (voice of experience!). Both paths are clogged with branches and a few downed trees. We’ll try to do some clean up this fall, including the poison ivy. Carefully. With long sleeved shirts and gloves. Volunteers are welcome.

The gate allows us to lower the water level, but Bunganut Pond has no significant inlets. It is fed by springs and rain, both of which are beyond human control. We open the gate when there is about 4” of water over the spillway. If there is heavy rain predicted it may be opened a little sooner; if there is no rain predicted it may not be opened until it reaches five inches. The gate will be opened for the fall drain Oct 15ththis year, as voted at the annual meeting. We close it before thick ice forms to make sure the pipe and gate are under enough water so they won’t suffer ice damage. This is usually around December 20th. Normally the lake fills gradually by late March or early April. If there is a good snowpack we can drop it a couple of feet in the spring to minimize ice damage to the shoreline. If there is an early thaw or rain or a thin snowpack we don’t lower the level as the spring runoff will not be enough to bring the lake back up. A low water table can also hinder recovery, as much of the spring rain sinks into the ground instead of running into the lake. During the summer evaporation usually beats out rainfall, but predicting humidity, heat, and rainfall is a losing proposition in Maine. We have been able to avoid low water for many years, at the expense of some ice damage, by being conservative in opening the gate during the spring.

Submitted by Chuck Shaw, President of the Bunganut Pond Association

Sunset over Bunganut

Submitted by Christina Twombly

A "True" Fish Story

A couple of years ago, one of our five grandchildren, Simone, who lives in Kennebunk, asked to go fishing with Grandpa for the first time. Of course I said yes.

We got in the reliable paddleboat with our fishing poles and worms. About 20 feet from the dock, I stopped to put worms on the hooks, cast the lines out and then proceeded to paddle farther out. In less than two minutes, I got a bite. This was no little fish -- it was pulling the paddleboat with us in it!

We were not too far out, and I yelled to Grandma, who was watching from shore, to get the camera because Simone and I had caught a "big" one. Of course Grandma had heard this from me before. She laughed and after repeated requests and assurances that indeed this was "the big one" Grandma got the camera.

Simone and I paddled back to the dock, and only then did I attempt to reel the fish in. Of course we released the big one, so that others might enjoy the same experience.

We fished awhile longer, catching a couple of perch, when Simone innocently asked, “Grandpa, how come all these other fish are so small?”

We apparently set high expectations on her first fishing experience, and here is the picture that immortalizes that catch.

One of many Bunganut memories I will always cherish.

Submitted by Stephen Kopchick

The 4th generation enjoys the Chamberlain camp!

Scotts Cove Campground
Scotts Cove Campground was started in 1963. Our campground caters to families. We have tent sites as well as RV sites and can take up to a 40 foot unit.
All sites have electric, cable, water, and Wi-Fi.
Our store carries a few staples as well as candy, ice cream, soda, and yes worms. We have customers from around the lake that come by boat for a sweet snack.
We also have a boat ramp which we allow people to use for a fee.
I am finishing my 19th year at Scotts Cove.
Submitted by Stew Stoney, Scotts Cove Campground / Bunganut Lake
Camping Area
Bunganut Lake Camping Area first opened in 1961. Over the years Bunganut Lake Camping Area has been a popular destination for generations of families to spend their summer vacations. Situated on 60 acres of land, Bunganut Lake Camping Area has 110 unique campsites that can accommodate anything from a small tent to a 40’ camper with slide-outs. Our season runs from
May 1 to September 30 and in that time we see over 2000 campers enjoy the campground and all it has to offer.
On a hot and hazy summer day, one look at our campgrounds beach will indicate that one of our primary attractions is the beautiful lake we all share! For our campers who wish to further enjoy the lake, Bunganut Lake Camping Area offers boat dock rental spaces. 80% of the boats in the water from our campground belong to our seasonal campers, many of whom have been camping with us for decades. The remaining boat docks are reserved for our weekend campers.
We are very dedicated to keeping the lake safe and clean for everyone to enjoy for many years to come. This is why every boat that enters the lake from Bunganut Lake Camping Area’s boat ramp is registered, has a milfoil inspection sticker and is rinsed off at the campground’s boat washing station. Other policies in place regarding boats launched from our campground include an 18’ limit and no jet skis or jet boats. We limit who has access to the lake via our boat ramp by only allowing our campers and seasonals access to the boat ramp to ensure that the lake does not become overcrowded with boats.
Submitted by Brian Johnson, Bunganut Lake Campground

Looking for more information on Maine lakes?

Maine Lakes News Digest at www.mrlakefront.net

Maine Congress of Lake Associations at www.mainecola.org

Join the Bunganut Pond Association!
Do you know there are over 150 property owners around Bunganut Pond but there are only 47 members of the Bunganut Pond Association? Here are ten reasons to join!
1. Support preservation activities on Bunganut
2. Be informed about changes to the lake
3. Know the current status of the dam
4. Understand threats to the lake’s ecosystem
5. Familiarize yourself with invasive species
6. Learn about wildlife in and around Bunganut
7. Be an active part of the Bunganut Pond community
8. Attend the annual meeting in July and have your voice heardregarding the management of association funds for future lakeefforts
9. Meet your neighbors
10. Share your expertise
Annual membership dues for the Bunganut Pond Association are $50. If you'd like to support the work of the Association by becoming a member, please send a check to the Bunganut Pond Association, P.O. Box 237, Alfred, ME 04002. Thank you for your commitment to improving and maintaining our good water quality and effective lake management.

You are receiving this newsletter because you are a property owner on Bunganut Pond.

Our mailing address is:

Bunganut Pond Association

P.O. Box 237

Alfred, ME 04002