I have archived the March 2023 water level chart (at left). The precipitation deficit we saw in February continued into March with only about 2.5 inches of precipitation falling, well below the average for March of 3.77 inches. However, due to the excess precipitation we received in January, we’re still 1.5 inches ahead of normal for this date. March is when we start the process of gradually raising the lake level by adding stop logs to the weir, while at the same time trying to maintain minimum flows to sustain the downstream aquatic habitat. We could really use some extra water in March to help with this process, but it didn’t happen this year. Given the conflicting mandates in the Water Level Order i.e., raising the lake level to it’s full capacity by ice out AND maintaining minimum flows at the same time, it’s a rare year when we can accomplish both! Usually something has to give and raising the lake level to where it belongs in the spring is our number one priority. We did succeed in gradually raising the lake level about a foot over the course of the month to within 1/2 a foot of the HWM, by the end of the month. With close to a half inch of rain falling on this first day of April, we should be overtopping the dam shortly. No fooling!
One thing that already makes this year stand out is the volume of water that flowed out of Clary Lake in the first two months of the year (see chart at left). In January and February, 4,667 acre-feet of water, 65% of all the water in the lake, flowed downstream to the Sheepscot River, significantly more than for the same period during the previous 3 years. This was clearly due to the 7 inches of precipitation we received. What isn’t clear is what this will mean for Clary’s water quality this coming year. We’ll have to wait and see.
Today’s rain will no doubt hasten the ice leaving the lake; already, most of the main basin of Clary Lake is ice free with only a small amount clinging to the south shore, as is usual. Most of the east end of the lake down to the boat launch is still ice covered. It won’t be long now. What we need is a good stiff wind…