Ogunquit News
Ogunquit plans removal of "Nuisance Island"
Pictured here is a view of what residents in Ogunquit have dubbed "Nuisance Island," a collection of debris from the Mother's Day storm that is altering the flow of the Ogunquit River.
Photo by C. Ayn Douglass
OGUNQUIT - Debris from the Mother's Day storm has collected in the Ogunquit River, creating a new island.
The debris, made up of sand, rocks and rubble, is located on the right side of the river, near The Plantation Resort on Route 1 and a private home.
"The debris from the river has congregated and created a dam, backing up on the right side, creating a new sluice on the left side," said Town Manager Phil Clark. "We are concerned about the house, as we've never had a waterfall there at this time of the year. The storm moved a huge stone into the path of the river."
Clark said the blockage is creating ponding at the Town Lyne Motel and has caused a large pine tree to fall across the property.
"I think we're going to have to take responsibility for it," he said, "and we'll have to spend about $5,000 to get an extended loader to pull it back and allow the river to flow the way it used to. We want to get it done soon. Another storm will create problems and with winter coming ice backup could be a real problem."
