Category Archives: Alerts

2024 Algae Bloom Update

Posted on by

The executive board of CPWL has been working with the company Water and Wetland in our ongoing efforts to control algae blooms in the lake.

We have contracted with them to treat the lake, and it will be treated on Monday, August 19 for the control of algae.  There are no restrictions affiliated with the treatment.

Water & Wetland is licensed in Rhode Island and manages many nearby lakes.  Their email address is info@waterandwetland.com if anyone has any specific questions.   The product being used is copper sulfate, which is commonly used in drinking water reservoirs.

If you have additional questions, please email cpwl@cpwl.org, and we will do our best to answer them.

Algae Bloom Alert

Posted on by

On the afternoon of August 9th, CPWL officers were notified by the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) in collaboration with the Department of Health (DoH) that an advisory has been issued, and DEM/DoH recommends no swimming, boating, or fishing on Waterman Lake due to an occurrence of Cyanobacteria.

DEM has told us that one sample was taken from the north side of Pine Ledge Road which tested positive.  No other samples were taken.  CPWL Officers and members of the Dam Committee have checked the entire lake, and have not seen any sign of Cyanobacteria, but there has been an advisory issued nonetheless.

After our experience last year with Cyanobacteria, we devised a plan to be proactive if it should happen again.  We already have a permit to spread copper sulfate, a safe chemical that kills cyanobacteria (copper sulfate is added to some city drinking water).  In early spring, we entered into an agreement with a contractor to provide and spread copper sulfate if needed.  We expect the treatment to happen next week.  The dam committee is currently working on how big an area to treat, as the cost is proportional to the size of the area.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (based on last year):

Q.  Is it illegal to swim, boat, or fish?
A.  It is not illegal, it is advisory from RI DEM and DoH.

Q.  Is it safe to swim, boat, or fish?
A.  It is not safe to swim in a cyanobacteria bloom.  Cyanobacteria produce toxins that are harmful to humans and pets.  Cyanobacteria appears as a blue-green algae.

Q.  If I don’t see any cyanobacteria, is it safe to interact with the water?
A.  That is your choice… but remember there is an advisory in effect.

Q.  When will the advisory be lifted?
A.  Last year the advisory was lifted after two negative tests one week apart.  We believe the rule is still the same, but we are not sure at the moment.

If you have additional questions, please email cpwl@cpwl.org, and we will do our best to answer them.

Temporary Slalom Ski Course

Posted on by
If you’ve been on the lake the last few days, you may have noticed a line of buoys running parallel to Route 44. These buoys do not represent any navigational hazard. They are being used as a temporary slalom ski course, which has been set up with permission from CPWL. All skiers and wakeboarders are welcome to practice on the course but we ask that you do so with caution and be respectful of other watercraft in the area. Additionally, boaters enjoying the lake after dark should be mindful of the buoys to ensure that their vessels don’t get entangled with the buoy’s anchor lines. It is recommended that you navigate either close to the shoreline or the little island when passing through the area after sunset. If you have any questions or concerns about the slalom course, please email us at CPWL@CPWL.org.
On a related note… we have received reports of boaters towing tube riders well after dark. While we understand the appeal of enjoying the lake on these hot and humid evenings, water sports including tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, etc. after dark is not safe and not allowed on the lake per CPWL rules. Please also note that per RI DEM regulations, the use of personal watercraft (jet skies) is prohibited between 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise. We want everyone to enjoy a safe summer and we ask that all boaters do their part by following these common-sense rules and we thank you in advance for doing your part to ensure an accident-free summer on the lake.

Temporary Change to Lake Level

Posted on by

We have received several requests to drop water levels from people who need to do repairs, and have been unable to because of the large amount of rain (9” in March) resulting in high water levels.

Starting today (3/30), and over the next four to five days, we will be lowering the water levels. Beginning next weekend (4/6), we will begin to raise the water level at the normal seasonal rate. Depending on rainfall, boating should be available shortly after that. We have a target date of “lake full” of May 15th.

Lake water levels are on the rise again

Posted on by

The water level should rise to the normal drawdown height of between 60” and 72” below the spillway (or full level) over the next couple of weeks.  It should remain at that height until March 25th, when we will begin bringing the lake up to “full”.

As we told you in December, we needed the water level down about seven feet to evaluate the leakage through the dam.  Due to all of the excess rain, it took far longer to get the lake down to that level than anticipated.

While the water was down, we also did an inspection of the gatehouse, including the plates and tracks that the plates fit into.  Several plates needed the guides rewelded and this was done as well.  The concrete pit floor (where water dumps when it flows over the plates) had some scouring (erosion) which will need to be addressed at some point in the future.

With the water level so low, the leak had nearly stopped.  We will continue to monitor the leak as the lake fills up; this will give us additional data regarding possible fixes.

For any questions, please email us at cpwl@cpwl.org

NOTIFICATION OF WATER LEVEL CHANGES – DEC. 2023

Posted on by

Dear Lake Residents:

Most, if not all of you are aware of the problems we have with the dam leaking.

As we continue to try to determine the exact cause and fix, this letter is to notify you that we will be temporarily dropping the lake down eight feet, instead of the usual six.  This will only be for a couple of days so that we may do an evaluation of where the dam is leaking.

While the water is down low, we will also conduct an inspection of the rail and plate system, as well as the gate.  These are the devices that control the water level.  No problems are anticipated, but it can’t hurt to do a close inspection.

The water will only be at the low level for about 48 hours, hopefully less.  Once the inspection is complete, we will begin to raise the level up to the usual drawdown level of 5.5 feet, plus or minus 6 inches.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has been notified as well as Smithfield and Glocester EMA Directors, and the Fire Departments both in Smithfield and Harmony.

For CPWL:

Robert Eaton, President
Ken Robertson, Vice President
Philip Viall, Treasurer
Elizabeth Viall, Secretary
Mike Stewart, Dam Committee Member

Algae Bloom Advisory Update 2

Posted on by

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) visited the lake on 09/20.  They found a substantial bloom near Pine Ledge Road.  The “no swimming, boating, fishing” recommendation is still in place.  It is uncertain when the next visit will take place.  Inquires about possible treatments have been made to the RIDOH.

Algae Bloom Advisory Update

Posted on by

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) wants to begin the process of lifting the advisory against swimming, boating, and fishing on Waterman Lake.  The lifting process requires two negative toxin tests one week apart.  If you notice any algae blooms on the lake, please send a picture (and location) to cpwl@cpwl.org, and we will let RIDOH know.