In 1929 the roll dam was built on Blackman Stream approximately ½ mile upstream from the current location of Leonard’s Mill. The dam was placed by the Penobscot Water Company, a predecessor of the Orono Veazie Water District. It was constructed to maintain a stable level of water in Chemo Pond to provide a reserve source of water for the residents supplied by the water district in times of drought. The roll dam was never intended to routinely control the water level in Chemo Pond for recreational or other purposes.
Over several decades residents, users and unknown persons have modified the roll dam by various means (sand bags, boards, etc.) so that it was assumed to be and in actuality became the primary means of water level control on Chemo Pond.
In the early 1990’s the Orono Veazie Water District abandoned the roll dam as water from Chemo Pond was no longer needed as a reserve source.
During the summer of 2017, the Department of Marine Resources (DMR), determined that the roll dam modifications combined with beaver activity presented a barrier to fish (alewives) passage in and out of Chemo Pond. At that time, all modifications, be they man made or “built by beavers” were removed. Chemo Pond residents were warned not to restore any modifications to the dam. Beaver activity was also monitored and negated. These actions resulted in a rapid dewatering of Chemo Pond and rendered the roll dam nonfunctional in all but extreme drought situations.
This situation led to the formation of the Chemo Pond Lake Association (CPLA). One of the mandates of CPLA was to address the low water level of Chemo Pond and to determine how to restore a water level that would be beneficial to both residents and the environment.
CPLA began researching ownership of the roll dam and considered purchasing and eventual repair and management. During late 2017 and early 2018, the University of Maine Foundation, a major landowner on the lake, had the area surveyed. It was determined that the Maine Forest and Logging Museum (MFLM) owned the roll dam.
Our present situation is that MFLM, in consultation with various state and federal agencies, has come to the decision that the roll dam should be removed. To date the agencies known to be involved are as follows:
1. Maine Department of Marine Resources
2. Maine Department of Environmental Protection
3. US Fish and Wildlife Service
4. Atlantic Salmon Federation
Other concerned agencies may become involved in supporting the roll dam removal. CPLA, upon invitation, has recently joined the Blackman Stream Advisory Committee (BSAC) whose purpose is to resolve the water level and fish passage issues with a result that appropriately serves all concerned. CPLA has determined that the best course of action is to work with these agencies in removing the nonfunctional roll dam rather than entering in a potentially protracted, expensive, futile legal confrontation. CPLA will continue to work with BSAC to establish a stable water level in Chemo Pond by utilizing the dam at MFLM.
DMR is planning to remove the roll dam during the late summer 2019 when water levels are naturally low. CPLA has been assured that this action will not detrimentally affect the water level.
CPLA and BSAC are working with MDEP to affect temporary measures at the MFLM dam to stabilize the water level in Chemo Pond until a permanent solution can be established.