As residents on the lake have likely noticed, Damariscotta Lake is significantly lower than usual this winter.
Kruger Energy, the power company that operates the dam at Damariscotta Mills, has lowered the level more than usual so they can assess the structural integrity of the dam and other equipment in the Mills.
Al Railsback, executive director of the Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association, said the evaluation is expected to be complete in the next few weeks. After any necessary repairs are made, the lake level will be restored to normal.
The drawdown is still within the levels allowed by the rules governing the level of Damariscotta Lake, Railsback said.
The low lake level has offered an unexpected advantage to efforts to contain hydrilla in the lake. Railsback, town officials and the Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection planned to seal off a small lagoon where the invasive plant was discovered several years ago.
Jefferson Road Commissioner Alan Johnston will be placing riprap across the opening of the lagoon to prevent hydrilla from washing out into the rest of the lake. The low water level will make this easier, Johnston said.
He said he hopes to have the riprap in place this week, but the work is weather dependent.