Little Sebago Lake started its State mandated water level draw down for Winter on October 15th. The water release rate may accelerate over the next several weeks due to needed repairs to their release mechanism. As always, we coordinate with the Little Sebago Lake Dam Keeper to prevent our water level from becoming too high. Also, the Collins Pond water level is annually lowered at this time to lessen damage to the shorelines from ice expansion.

Starting in early July, due to the recent heavy rainstorms, Little Sebago Lake’s Dam Keeper partially opened their Hopkins dam to keep that lake at the State mandated level. We opened the Collins Pond dam in response to try to maintain a constant lake level. On Sunday, 7/25, the LSL dam was closed to only a 5% release. Our dam was closed about 12 hours later, just a little late to maintain the normal level. It is difficult to gage the correct time to open and close and also how much to adjust. Close too early and our lake level rises too much. Currently the level is low but is expected to gradually rise back to its normal level.

As mandated by the State of Maine, Little Sebago Lake will close the Hopkins Dam on April 15th to start to bring that lake up to its summer level. Some years ago an agreement was reached with the State to set the summer and winter water levels on Little Sebago Lake to settle disagreements among property owners. Since this is the upstream water source for Collins Pond, our dam will start to close a few days before this to bring our lake level back up to a normal summer level.

Little Sebago Lake started its State mandated water level draw down for Winter on October 15th. We coordinate with them to maintain a constant level and will be opening our dam today. The Collins Pond water level is annually lowered to lessen damage to the shorelines from ice expansion. This year our draw down will be delayed until after November 6th due to the final week of milfoil removal by New England Milfoil.

Little Sebago Lake had to release some water this week so you may notice the Collins Pond water level vary as we try to match this new inflow. The LSL DamKeeper opened his dam about 5% on 5/14 in the evening and we adjusted about 24 hours later to release some.

As Little Sebago Lake has maintenance performed on their dam, there will be small water releases which may slightly affect the Collins Pond water level. For larger releases we will also open for short periods, as just happened on Sept 8th. A reminder that Little Sebago Lake starts their mandated water level draw down for the winter on October 15th. We will open our dam at that time also to maintain a lower level for the winter. This is intended to limit damage from ice to the shoreline during the winter.

From the kitchen of Donna Rand.  Thank you for sharing!

CHOCOLATE ÉCLAIR BARS

2 small pkgs instant vanilla pudding
3 ½ c. milk
1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip
2 sleeves graham crackers (can use cinnamon)
Line 9×13 pan with graham crackers.
Beat pudding in electric mixer with milk.  Add Cool Whip.
Layer ½ pudding mixture over crackers.  Add another layer of crackers and pudding.  End with a layer of crackers.
Chocolate Frosting:

Melt 3 T. butter & 2 squares unsweetened chocolate over low heat, watching carefully.  Remove from heat and add:
1 ½ c. confectioner’s sugar
3 t. milk
2 t. light corn syrup
2 t. vanilla

May need to add more milk a little at a time to get to the right consistency.
Mix and spread on top of graham crackers right away.