CAMDEN — This week's rainy forecast is a welcome sight for everybody who has been watching water levels drop at area lakes and ponds. But it won't be anywhere near enough to bring the water levels back up to where they should be, due to the fact that this is the second dry year for the Midcoast.

Megunticook Lake's level is about 2-feet below normal, according to Camden Wastewater Superintendent David Bolstridge, causing rocks to appear on the surface that are normally hidden, and often not a problem for boaters.

"This year and last year, the Megunticook River dropped really quickly," said Bolstridge. "My theory is the ground water has gotten to a point where it is no longer recharging the river."

Compounding the low-water issue are leaks through the rocks under the Seabright Dam powerhouse. Bolstridge said those leaks have been there for a while, having been originally built with a rock base, but the lack of rainfall exacerbates the issue.

"We would not have noticed the leakage had it not been for the lack of rain," he said.

He said he has been doing what he can to keep the river up to regulatory levels, to maintain the health of the flora and fauna, but it's been a real challenge this year.

A solid stretch of rain would certainly help the area, in numerous ways, but repairs to the dam are also up for discussion.

Bolstridge said the easiest and most cost-effective way to fix the leaks is to use divers to go do and fill the cracks. Using divers would avoid installing a coffer dam and dewatering the holding pond to make the rocks at the base accessible to construction workers.

"We need to keep water going through the dam, by regulation, and make sure we don't completely dry it up to protect the wildlife along the river," said Bolstridge. "At this point, our only option to do that has been to drop down the lake levels. They are about 2-feet below where we want them to be this time of year."

He said that he had the same issue last year, and he kept opening up the dames on the lake to bring the river up, but had little success due to lack of rain.

"We were about 32 inches below normal last year. Lowering the lakes becomes increasingly difficult for people to get docks out in the fall, and it's a hazard to boats too," said Bolstridge. "People need to be very careful out there right now."

Late last week, Bolstridge was working on obtaining cost estimates to repair the dam, which will offer a bit of help to his efforts balancing the levels of the lake and the river.

According to Camden Town Manager Pat Finnigan, Bolstridge gave her a ballpark repair cost of $20,000.

"We will be taking the Wastewater budget to the Select Board on Oct. 4 and we will bring this to them as well," said Finnigan.

Bolstridge said there is no money for the repair directly in the Seabright Dam line, as it's a tight budget, but that there is some money in the reserve account.

"The work will depend on budget constraints. It will have to be prioritied when it gets done, whether it's this year or within the next two years," said Bolstridge. "It's not a new issue, it's just come to light now because of the lack of rainfall."

The Oct. 4 Select Board meeting agenda is not yet published, but Finnigan confirmed the Seabright Dam issue would be discussed at the meeting.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 207-706-6655.