Fall Draw Down
Persuant to the Management Plan approved at the annual meeting of the members, the annual Fall Drawdown is scheduled to begin on October 15 and be completed by November 15. Our goal is to bring the pond level down to -27" during that period, then maintain a pond level between -24" to -30" until we begin to raise the pond in mid-March (or after ice-out).
Fund Raising Progress (to 9/29/24)
Approximate progress. towards goal of $25,000
In addition to the funds we directly raise, TPIA is asking the towns of Raymond and Casco to place an item on the 2025 annual warrant to provide additional funding.
Raymond has agreed to do so in an amount to be finalized by February.
We present to Casco on 11/12/2024. Please attend to show your support!
Dam Repair
60
%Dam Repair + Unrestricted Donations
75
%Dam Repair
The TPIA has developed a Request for Proposals for construction services to repair the dam.
The RFP may be downloaded at this link. The RFP response period is now closed.
Responses to the RFP were due by 11/5/2024. Three responses were received and are being evaluated by TPIA volunteers. TPIA expects to select a vendor and negotiate final (subject to approval) scope of work and contract terms by the end of 2024.
Thomas Pond Dam Needs Repair
Its been 30+ years since the last major repair and the Thomas Pond Dam is showing signs of its age. TPIA wants to repair the current non-structural damage to the concrete before it becomes more extensive or becomes a structural issue. In 2023 we obtained an estimate of $19,000 to repair the concrete and add armor plating to prevent future damage to the dam structure.
We're seeking donations to raise $25,000 to cover the expected costs of the repair and ancillary items like permits and other miscellaneous expenses. We are also requesting funding support from both Raymond and Casco.
Click here to see more photographs of the damage to the dam
Click here to see the fund raising appeal letter
Click here to donate or click the Contribute button above and contribute right now, or you can mail a check to TPIA at the address below.
Click here for a copy of the Request for Proposals for Dam Repairs
Please be generous, Thoms Pond depends on you
New Wakesurfing Law
On August 9, 2024 a new law (LD 2284) that imposes new restrictions on where wakeboard boats can be used in wakesurfing activities went into effect.
The new law limits wakesurfing to areas of the pond that are:
• 300' or more from the shore
• 15' deep or deeper
The map in the graphic shows the approximate portion of Thomas Pond where the law allows wakesurfing. It was marked up using the 15' depth only, so distances from shore are not to scale.
Please be respectful. Wave action from boating is a significant contributor to shoreline erosion on Thomas Pond. The "standard" no-wake-zone remains unchanged at 200' from the shoreline.
Thomas Pond is "Most At Risk"
Per Maine Chapter 502, Thomas Pond is included in the list of water bodies most at risk from development, which means that this pond is particularly sensitive to additional phosphorus inputs.
In 2023, TPIA measured higher Phosphorous levels
than in prior years.
We don't know the cause, but in 2024 we increased the frequency of monitoring and will keep a close eye on the trends. The first readings for 2024 have been added to the graphic. Unfortunately the testing lab has been very slow to return results
TPIA's efforts help protect this lake, which is so precious to us all.
High phosphorous levels can have serious consequences and be very expensive to remediate. We're no where near having to perform remediation, but you may find this article on Togus Pond interesting (or frightening).
You can help too by using low or zero phosphorous content products for gardening, fertilizing lawns, laundry and dishwasher detergents. Donating to the Thomas Pond Improvement Association also helps TPIA protect the pond.
2023 Lake Level Survey Results
2024 Annual Meeting
See the Meetings Page for more details.
The page has been updated with the minutes of the meeting, various meeting materials, and a summary of the voting totals.
Weather and Precipitation
Thomas Pond Weather
Note: The weather station in the link has been changed.
Precipitation by Year
Note: does not include current year.
Our Purpose
The purpose of the Thomas Pond Improvement Association is (1) to maintain and preserve mutually agreeable water levels through the acquisition and operation of the Thomas Pond Dam and to act relative to the repair and on-going maintenance of said Dam, and (2) to perform acts appropriate to a non-profit Corporation dedicated to the protection and maintenance of water quality and natural beauty of Thomas Pond for the benefit of the majority of Members and the public use of Thomas Pond.
The TPIA is an all volunteer organization. We could use help. Please consider contributing funds and volunteering some of your time and skills to help the organization achieve its mission.
