On July 13, 1978, the Soil and Water Conservation Commision
in answer to a petition signed by 10% of the littoral
proprietors on Anasagunticook Lake in Canton-Hartford,
Maine, held a hearing in Canton, Maine, to establish a
normal water level for Anasagunticook Lake.
ESTABLISHMENT OF WATER LEVEL )
FOR ANASAGUNTICOOK LAKE } FINDING OF FACT AND ORDER
CANTON-HARTFORD, MAINE )
After reviewing the testimony submitted at the July 13,
1978 hearing, the Commission finds the following facts.
1. The dam owner makes no beneficial use of the dam.
2. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife are
managing the lake for Brown Trout and Smallmouth Bass.
Smallmouth Bass require stable water levels from May
through June 20th. Because of spawning activities of
Brown Trout, they would also request a minimal discharge
from September 15 to November 15.
3. The maximum traditional level is 5" below the topmost
board in the gates.
4. At the time of the hearing, the level was 23" below
the topmost board in the gates.
5. Canton has experienced serious spring flooding from
the Androscoggin River. It would be most advantageous
to the Town of Canton if they had some reservoir capacity
in the lake during this period so that the runoff into the
river from Anasagunticook could be controlled.
THEREFORE, the Commision finds on the basis of the
evidence submitted at a public hearing with respect to
which all parties in interest were given ample notice,
that there is sufficient justification for the establishment
by the Commission, pursuant to the provisions of 12 M.R.S.A.
304(4), of normal water levels at Anasagunticook Lake
located in the Towns of Canton and Hartford, County of
Oxford, and State of Maine, and hereby ORDERS:
1. The owner will maintain a water level at Anasagunticook
Lake from on or about June 1 through October not to exceed
a maximum level of 5" below the topmost board in the gates.
Once that level is reached, the owner should not manipulate
the dam except to assure that the level does not exceed
the maximum level. Throughout the summer months, the
only lowering of water below 5" below the topmost boards
of the gates should be due to natural causes.
2. During the period from November 1 to April 15, the dam
owner will drawdown the lake to a necessary level to
provide some reservoir capacity to assist the Town of
Canton in flood control during spring run-off.
3. After April 15, the owner will regulate the flow out
of Anasagunticook Lake to bring the water to the maximum
level set by the Commission on or about June 1.
4. In September of 1979, the Executive Director will make
himself available to attend a meeting called by interested
parties and the dam owner to discuss the past summer season
at Anasagunticook. At this meeting, the parties will
attempt to resolve any problems resultant from the
Commission's Order. If deemed necessary, possible amendment
to the Commission Order will be discussed.
DONE AND DATED AT AUGUSTA, MAINE, THIS 13TH DAY OF
SEPTEMBER, 1978.
SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION
/s/ BY John Fogler, Chairman
12 M.S.R.A., Chapter 6, Subsection 307. Appeal
Any person aggrieved by an order of the Commission may
appeal to the Superior Court pursuant to Title 5, Chapter
375, Subchapter VII, within 30 days of notice thereof.
This Finding of Fact and Order will be recorded in the
Oxford County Registry of Deeds by the Commission.