Update on High Water, 7-11-2023

Here is a notice from Joe Hebert, president of the Joe's Pond Association:

  I have gotten several concerns today about boats on the pond with the extremely high water levels. I understand that some may be searching for boats, rafts, and chairs etc. But please, if you must be out understand that the potential damage from your wake could be harmful to the shore and other boats that are near shore. Please go as slowly as possible

Joe Hebert

President JPA  

 

I have had some reports of boats causing wakes today, as well. This is an especially vulnerable time for waterfronts around the pond as well as for docks and boats tied up. Any wave action is going to make the situation worse. Also remember that there is a lot of debris in the pond - not only stuff you can see, but half-submerged wood, trees, and sometimes even bits of wetland. Hitting something like that in the water can damage your boat hull or the motor, so watch where you are going carefully, and go slowly. At times like this we need to help each other, not make matters worse or do accidental damage by being thoughtless or careless.

Jamie came and picked me up for a short survey of W. Shore Road, our camp, and the dam in West Danville. West Shore Road has some spots that are washed due to overflowing culverts. If you are traveling on that road, be vigilant. One that is particularly dangerous is at the bridge over the brook between our came (Dimick's) and Ned and Carolyn Hamilton's. There is a very large hole washed out there on the pond side, and it is a bit difficult to see. I expect road crews will have signage up shortly, but right now they have serious problems elsewhere. Cabot Village has been seriously damaged - we are told that the Hardware store and cafe are closed due to damage, but the Cabot Village Store is open for business.

Jamie and I stopped in West Danville and it's amazing the amount of water that is flowing out of the pond. It's very impressive. I took a short video - and that doesn't do it justice. We saw Peter Crosby in the parking area and he said that a pontoon boat and what looked like about a 17ft. boat had gone over the dam. We couldn't see them from where we were, and neither of us wanted to go out onto the footbridge - with all that water rushing below and pulling at the supports of the bridge, we thought best to stay on solid ground. There was a Green Mountain Power employee pulling debris off the dam through the "porthole" access. He was securely tethered to the caging around where he was working - but even so, it takes courage when there's water like that.

The picture on the left is of our boat house - water is half way up on it. All boats and other stuff is secure now, but we are missing a section of dock like the two pictured at the right. It in trex, and will be difficult to see, but it's gray and each section is about 5' by 6' - and one is missing. Also, a red ball buoy that Jamie had stored under the deck at camp got away. If you see either of these items, let us know. Thank you. 

We have been told that Hastings Store in West Danville was open all night to accommodate people who were being evacuated in the area, and emergency crews who were coming and going all night. As far as I know, nobody evacuated from Joe's Pond, but anyone along Joe's Brook may have been in real danger as there is an enormous amount of water coming out of Joe's Pond right now, and any homes in low-lying areas below the dam would be vulnerable. I hope everyone was safe. There will be more news as the day progresses, I'm sure, but the water is going down fairly quickly now, and hopefully we'll be back to normal soon. Please, though, no wakes.