Gates on Libby Dams Not Functional, 

But Dams are Still Structurally Sound

By: David Deschesne

Fort Fairfield Journal, May 1, 2013

A recent inspection of the two dams on Libby Brook by the Maine Emergency Management Agency has found that the gates that were designed to lower water levels and flush out silt are inoperable.

“These gates are used to drain the pond down if you so desire,” explained Fort Fairfield town manager, Dan Foster. “Neither one of those gates work. That is really the key thing that has been addressed in these inspections that were done. To fix those gates would be extremely expensive with absolutely no benefit to the community at all. I'm definitely not in favor of making that recommendation to the council.”

The two dams were built in the 1960's as a conservation project. “The whole intent was Libby Brook would break through the middle of town and it was to protect that part of the residential street plus the building section. Those two dams were to help handle the Spring thaws.”

According to Fire Chief, Paul Durepo, the water has never come close to the spillways.

Foster says the dams are structurally sound. “There's nothing wrong with them per se. If they are really going to push this, and they have a state statute where they could fine us if we do not comply, my solution would be to just crank those things open and just drain both ponds. There's no advantage to our community to have those two ponds there. Rommie Haines might be affected, but if it came down to that we could pass our responsibility to fix those gates to Rommie if he really wanted to keep that pond and he could work with them and figure out what needs to be done.