The next newsletter will be sent out in January 2014. If you would like to submit an article
for the newsletter, please send it by December 15 to: chris.chambrln@gmail.com
If you would prefer to receive future newsletters by email,
please send your email address to:
Christine Chamberlain
chris.chambrln@gmail.com
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 15th this 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
Bunganut Lake
Camping Area
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.
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 Stew
Stoney, Scotts Cove
Campground
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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Support preservation activities on Bunganut
Be informed about changes to the lake
Know the current status of the dam
Understand threats to the lake’s ecosystem
Familiarize yourself with invasive species
Learn about wildlife in and around Bunganut
Be an active part of the Bunganut Pond community
Attend the annual meeting in July and have your voice heard regarding the
management of association funds for future lake efforts
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.
Copyright © 2013 Bunganut Pond Association, All rights reserved.
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