Comments on: Pennsylvania Couple Dies in Moosehead Lake

By: Jay L

Jay L — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:43:16 +0000

Chris, to answer your question of ““what does the state of Maine, the snowmobile trail system, local snowmobile clubs,local hotels and business do to let people know that this lake is basically unsafe at all times of the year? are there signs letting people know what you state ?”

The state/snowmobile clubs/businesses do let snowmobilers know the dangers of this lake. In fact they have marked trails on the lake where the ice is known to be safe. These trails cut across the lake down in Greenville Cove and also from Rockwood to Kineo. They are well marked with wooden posts and have reflectors on them making them visible at night. It is posted in most every gas station, website, and places to stay in the region that you should stay on the marked trails across the lake. Sure the locals may know better which areas of the lake are safe and they may chose to ride off the marked trail, but as someone who only goes up there once a year to ride I can tell you that I don’t venture more than a few feet from those markers. There are too many trouble areas on that lake to take any chances otherwise and I think the businesses/clubs/state have done a pretty good job making that known. Most lakes don’t have any marked trails on them. I feel safer crossing Moosehead than a lot of other lakes and ponds because it is marked, but the key to that is of course to stay on the marked trail. Unfortunately accidents like this come with the territory. Anytime you set out on a frozen body of water you assume all the risks involved. This was an unfortunate accident, no doubt, but I just wanted to make it clear that the clubs/state/business do a lot to try and keep everybody safe. After all they have a vested interest in keeping snowmobilers safe as they bring a lot of money to the region.

By: chris zelenka

chris zelenka — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:08:21 +0000

article states;
The area where the couple was located today has been the scene of snowmobile-related fatalities in the past, according to MWS Lt. Pat Dorian. Open water and thin ice are normal conditions here as the water is continuously moving due to the following reasons: Moosehead Lake feeds into the East Outlet of the Kennebec River, creating headwaters; and as winter progresses, water is drawn down to feed the Dam at East Outlet, a hydroelectric generator. If a snowmobiler is unfamiliar with the area, they could encounter thin ice or open water as close to a quarter-mile before the dam.

I ask;
“what does the state of Maine, the snowmobile trail system, local snowmobile clubs,local hotels and business do to let people know that this lake is basically unsafe at all times of the year? are there signs letting people know what you state ?
“Open water and thin ice are normal conditions here as the water is continuously moving due to the following reasons: Moosehead Lake feeds into the East Outlet of the Kennebec River, creating headwaters; and as winter progresses, water is drawn down to feed the Dam at East Outlet, a hydroelectric generator. If a snowmobiler is unfamiliar with the area, they could encounter thin ice or open water as close to a quarter-mile before the dam.”

lakes with hydro generators

By: Tom Remington

Tom Remington — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:29:46 +0000

You know Roger, as I was posting this story I was thinking something along those lines. I’m not familiar exactly with this area but from the story retelling all of the incidents that have occurred at this spot, isn’t it time to try to do something?

By: Roger Audette

Roger Audette — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:53:32 +0000

Very, very sad. I have two very close friends that did the same thing two years ago in Belgrade. Fortunately they survived. How about some permanant bouys placed in the summer and left year round. Bouys that say danger thin ice, dam ahead or something that can warn folks in the winter time that the area has currents and is subject to thin ice. Hell we do it for rocks in the summer. Let’s put up some warnings for winter dangers.