Last year, several residents met with the Selectboard to discuss the possibility of a drawdown of Highland Lake for the purpose of repairs to shoreline structures and landscape and to prevent annual ice damage. It was too late in the year to follow through and we agreed to revisit the issue this summer.
A second meeting was scheduled for August 7 of this year. The meeting was well attended and topics covering erosion, structural damage from ice, protection of aquatic and shoreline wildlife and frequency and amount of drawdown were discussed.
A two-foot drawdown from the normal level of Highland Lake, or eighteen inches from the present lower level, was agreed on by town officials and participants of the meeting.
There was consensus that a two foot drawdown was not necessary every year, but if it were done on a scheduled basis, say every 5 years, people would be able to plan for repairs requiring wetland permits which can take up to two years to obtain.
It was also agreed, that a one foot drawdown rather than the normal eight inches, would help prevent ice damage on alternate years.
The town will follow guidelines provided by the Department of Environmental Services and the Dam Bureau. Many of the guidelines deal with issues such as timing and rate of lowering the water level, which is important for protecting wildlife as they prepare to burrow below the shoreline for the winter.  Proper notifications will be made to any entities that might be affected by the drawdown.