Lower Narrows Management

Purpose

The lower narrows (aka, sandy narrows) has for years needed attention to remove the sand that builds up over time. If the removal is not done regularly, then the lower lake residents would not be able to enter the middle lake with their boats. Working by permit under the authority of the DEP, volunteers work to keep the narrows open and navigatable. 

The photo to the left is an aerial picture showing the narrows and the sand deltas that continually build up. The sand mostly comes from the lake bottom when stirred up and beach erosion on rainy days. With landowners illegally adding sand to their properties comes the side effect of even more sand entering the lake and ending up as part of the build-up problems choking the narrows.

Methods of Removal

Every so often during winters, excavation equipment is brought in to remove the build up of sand. This requires a hard freeze of the land to support the weight of the equipment used.

The team also uses a suction dredge to move sand from the narrows up onto the land using a pontoon boat outfitted with the motorized equipment needed. This is a very slow process and used to help reduce the frequency of needing to use excavation equipment.