The root system of this old growth red pine clearly shows that
approximately 14 inches of beach has been eroded in recent years at Songo
Beach due to unnatural lake level management at Sebago Lake.
15.
Analysis of impacts of lake-level management on beach profiles of Sebago
Lake.
FOSL believes the present beach profiling studies are inadequate to measure
the amount of erosion occurring around Sebago Lake. Bluffs are eroding at
levels below full pond and there is insufficient data to show the impact
on beach profiles. Without measuring profiles to depths of 15 feet below
266.65 msl, there is no way to gauge the net movements of sand under the
water accurately. These data are critical to determine the impact of the
present lake level plan on erosion and accretion. FOSL requests that beach
profiling continue with added improvements as a conditon of the relicensing
for Project 2984-042 Eel Weir. Shoreline monitoring should include eroding
bluffs and sandbars. FOSL request that bottom profiling be taken in front
of Thompson Point developments and other areas that have been identified
as having offshore erosion problems. FOSL requests that shoreline profile
data collection include profiles to 251.65 msl .
In response to shoreline erosion, owners of beach front property have been
forced to use artificial armor to protect the shore from further damage.
Reinforcements to shoreline have caused a substantial impact on the ecology
and aesthetic nature of Sebago lake. For example, the new PWD Rt. 35 rip
rap is an eyesore visible for miles. FOSL has recorded the erosion and recession
of Sebago Lake's shorelines on photographs. The attached photos are testimony
to the substantial recession and damage to Sebago lake shorelines caused
by the licensees' post 1987 management of outflows of the Eel Weir dam.
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