By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer 

NAPLES — The water levels in Brandy Pond and Long Lake have been noticeably low — enough to warrant complaints to the town and the state.

Now, despite rising an additional five inches over the course of a week, the water levels are still incredibly low.  

On Monday evening, Naples Town Manager John Hawley provided a brief report on the water levels this spring. 

“The Long Lake/Brandy Pond Water Level Advisory Committee met this morning to discuss the current water levels,” Hawley said.

“The state has received some complaints and we have received a handful,” he said.

“The sluiceways were closed at the end of last week, and water levels had risen five inches over the previous seven days,” 

People at the meeting confirmed that the state park officials closed the Songo River lock on Friday.

“They did. They have a policy. They have to have the water level at a certain point by May every year,” Hawley said. 

“The issue is there has been no snowfall and very little rain,” he said. 

“Since it was closed on Friday, the water level has come up five inches. That is some increase. But when you go over the bridge, you can tell” how low it is, Hawley said. 

“Currently, there is not enough water at the Kent’s Landing boat launch to put a boat in,” he said. 

“We got a permit by rule to go in and do dredging a couple years ago” but the maintenance department was unable to do the job with the equipment the town has. 

“If the water level doesn’t go up, we cannot open the boat launch,” Hawley said.  “For the people who are complaining, the water level should start coming up, and pray for rain.”