CASCO — The Pleasant Lake Dam, which is owned by Casco and Otisfield, is losing as much as 1,000 gallons of water per minute in a minimum of three places but is in no immediate danger of breaching, according to local officials.

The dam controls the level of water in the 4-mile-long lake which lies in both towns. The lake has private camps, cottages and homes along it, as well as the Seeds of Peace International Camp on the western shore and Camp Arcadia for Girls on the eastern shore, both in Otisfield.

Although the state considers the dam beside Route 121 in Casco village a low-impact structure and therefore not at high risk of damaging property or putting lives at risk if it fails, officials in both towns agree a maintenance plan must be in place.

Otisfield selectmen Chairman Hal Ferguson, who reported on the dam at Wednesday night’s board meeting, said the concern is that the holes discovered in the dam will get larger as the leaking water freezes.

“At some point, there could be a large rift,” he said.

Adding to the concern is the possibility that gravel may be washing under the dam and undermining it, Casco Town Manager Dave Morton said Thursday. Morton said that concern prompted Casco officials to hire a consultant for $1,000 to check the dam’s condition.

Otisfield selectmen have agreed to pick up half that cost.

Morton said the town hired a consultant after the president of the Pleasant Lake Association approached him about whether the town had a long-term maintenance plan.

The consultant, who met with officials of both towns at the dam a week ago will determine what the damage is, its future impact on the dam and lay out a possible plan for remediation and maintenance, plus associated costs.

“We’re really waiting for the report,” Morton said. “We have this structure. Now how will we care for it going forward? The investigation (by the consultant) seems to indicate we need to do something.”

The report is due in several weeks.

ldixon@sunjournal.com

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