Ossipee selectboard closes popular swimming hole

OSSIPEE — Selectmen have unanimously closed a popular swimming hole near Mill Pond because a hole in the dam makes it dangerous.

Mill Pond is a small public pond and recreation area in Center Ossipee. It has a swimming area, dock, picnic spot and fishing access.

At their May 4 meeting, selectmen said they would have the area roped off until more assessments and safety fixes can be made. Public Works Director TJ Eldridge told the board there’s a large hole in the dam that Assistant Public Works Director Neil Eldridge spotted.

Since then, yellow caution tape has been put up around the former swimming area located at the intersection of Moultonville Road and Paddy Acre Road.

“He noticed a large crevice of the Mill Pond Dam, and him and I can’t go any longer without saying anything, due to the fact that if someone’s swimming, it’s big enough now it could bring them through the dam,” said TJ Eldridge.

Selectmen’s chair Jonathan Smith said the whole area should be assessed, rebuilt and fenced.

“If that was rebuilt, when we talked to the engineers, just to save the dam or save the pond, it wouldn’t be a swimming hole anymore. Wouldn’t be allowed. It would be fenced off,” said Smith.

“That’s the state’s requirements for dams. This sinkhole or this vortex hole, whatever you want to call it, is pumping, who knows how much water through it ... And it’s a risk that if a kid goes into that, it’s going to be a catastrophe,” Smith said.

Selectman Kyle Copeland said losing the swimming hole would be a “big deal.”

“I think, with the summer coming up and people have already been swimming, there something to go on the side of safety here,” said Selectman Wendy Ryder.

“Something has to be put up and done until we can find a solution. Neil Eldridge said he grew up swimming there,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Children’s Fishing Derby, for kids 15 and under at Mill Pond on Moultonville Road will be May 17 from 8 to 11 a.m.

For more information, email TJEldridge@Ossipee.org.

The dammed portion of the pond is on the other side of Moultonville Road from the main pond.