Hi, folks,
I just received the email below from Brandon Kibbe of Great River Hydro about a drawdown of the water level above Bellows Falls Dam for dam maintenance work, and the related closing of river access points while the work is being done.
Please be careful while the repairs are being made.
Happy spring!
~Lucy
State Representative Lucy McVitty Weber
603-499-0282
UPDATE: DRAWDOWN TO BE INITIATED
As previously indicated, Great River Hydro expects to initiate the drawdown of the Bellows Falls Dam impoundment on the Connecticut River beginning Sunday, April 26. This timing is subject to change if weather in the interim is materially different than current forecasts.
GRH will slowly lower the impoundment, conduct the necessary dam maintenance work, and then gradually refill the impoundment to normal operating levels. The entire process is expected to take approximately 3 to 4 days. We will communicate with you again when the work is completed.
During the drawdown, visitors to Connecticut River will see exposed riparian areas upstream of Bellows Falls dam, most visible closest to the Bellows Falls dam. We are taking every measure to mitigate, to the extent possible, risks and impact to environmental resources in and adjacent to the Connecticut River.
All recreational use of the river is strongly discouraged during the drawdown period as reduced flows may expose previously submerged hazards and dangerous conditions could exist in exposed mud flats. Public safety devices at the dam will be restored as soon as possible. Boat ramps at the following locations be temporarily closed until that work is completed: Herricks Cove (Rockingham, VT), Charlestown (Charlestown, NH), and Pine Street (North Walpole, NH).
Further updates will be provided as soon as possible. Please contact communications@greatriverhydro.com or (802) 291-8104 with any questions.
The Walpolean 
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