Freedom—July 20, 2020—Danforth Pond boaters will need a Plan B in order to access the bays and main lake in about two weeks.

Freedom officials last week confirmed that Danforth Brook will be closed to all boat traffic starting the week of August 3 so that work to replace the bridge on Ossipee Lake Road can commence.

Danforth Pond boaters were given a reprieve in June when work that was scheduled to start that month was delayed until August to correct a bridge design flaw and re-permit the project with state agencies.

Powerboat owners will be the most affected by the closure, but so will people like Danforth Pond resident Judith Previer and her husband, Mike, who own canoes and kayaks. Small watercraft won’t be able to use the brook either.

“It will be interesting to know what other owners plan to do,” she wrote to the Alliance.

Some powerboat owners apparently want to relocate their boat for the rest of the summer.

Mark Galloway of Lakefront Landing in Ossipee says he has received “a lot of calls” from Danforth Pond boaters looking for dock space, which he is out of, and valet service, which he doesn’t offer.

“We do offer a park and launch for the day for $20, but sometimes we fill up fast,” he told Ossipee Lake Alliance by email.

Of course, there will still be boats of all kinds on upper and lower Danforth and Huckins Pond during the brook closure. Marine Patrol coverage will continue as well, according to Marine Patrol Captain Timothy Dunleavy, who said emergencies and violations can be reported by calling 911 or (603) 293-2037.

The most interesting question we received about the closure was about the cofferdam itself. Could it cause the water level of Danforth Pond to rise, especially if there’s a major rain event?

“Unlikely,” was the response we received from state and local officials.

The $1.1 million Danforth Brook Bridge project is scheduled to be complete the week of November 3.