By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

HARRISON — As one reaches the end of Zakelo Road, the dirt gives way to water — Long Lake.

In 1954, the Town of Harrison was given a deed, which provides a public way to the lake. Somewhere along the line, the access point became both a swim area and boat launch.

Many locals consider the spot quaint and a place to escape. The obscure beach and boat launch area is no longer an unknown gem. As trailer traffic has steadily increased at the boat launch at the head of Long Lake, word has trickled out that Zakelo Road is another option.

Nearby property owners voiced concerns to the Harrison Select Board last week regarding safety and use of their land by the public.

Town Manager Tim Pellerin researched the matter and found Harrison likely faces making a choice to either use the access spot as a public swim area or as a boat launch — it appears it can’t be both, according to state law.

Pellerin used a powerpoint, titled “Harrison, we have a problem…Zakelo Road, boat launch or swim area,” to give officials an overview. 

The opening slide shows a sign found as one drive onto Zakelo Road from Route 35. It says, “Caution, Zakelo Boat Ramp closed to boats 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Unsuitable for motorized watercraft over 16 feet, limited turnaround.”

Pellerin cited Maine boating safety laws and National Maritime regulations that “there are rules that a location must follow, in order to be considered one or the other.”

“Legally, Zakelo Beach/Boat Launch cannot be both; a choice must be made,” Pellerin read.

To create an “organized swim area,” the area must be enclosed with line floats to designate the space and must be marked at the outer offshore bounds by a least two “Swim Area” markers with the vertical open-faced diamond symbol and the words “Swim Area” to indicate that all motorboats must keep out of the area.

No swim area may extend beyond the water safety zone (200 feet from any shore) or one-third the distance to the opposite shore, whichever is less.

The narrow dirt road has no public access turn-around. Parking on Zakelo Road, which is a town road, near the access point is limited to one side of the roadway. Recently, Pellerin informed private property owners to keep the public off their land, they would need to post signs, “Private Property” and “No Parking.”  

The town’s Mooring Ordinance notes, “Parking in the public road at Zakelo Beach shall not be allowed for permitted mooring owners, as it shall continue to be preserved for Harrison resident swimmers.”

Property owner Rick Liberty, who resides adjacent to the beach, urged that the lakefront piece should be a swim area only.

Based on his research, Liberty found that a boat launch ramp should slope 12 to 15 degrees into the water to a 4-foot water depth. At 15-degree slope at 4-foot depth, it should be reached at 14.9 feet out from the shore. At 12-degree slope, the 4-foot depth should be reached at 19 feet out from the shore.

“Zakelo Beach water slope is only 2.79 degrees with a 4-foot depth not found until you go out 82 feet from the shoreline,” he said. “This makes the beach unacceptable as a boat launch and a hazard.”

Liberty said a typical 18-foot truck with a 19-foot boat trailer using the beach as a launch site would require the entire truck and trailer to enter the lake “creating an environmental and safety hazards.” 

“Driving the truck far enough into the lake often results in water levels above the wheel hubs of the truck, which is not recommended by a typical truck manufacturer. With exhaust pipes submerged and water possibly over the rear-end vent tube, there can be serious issues,” he said. “Getting mired in the sand is also an issue. At 20 feet out from the shore, the depth is barely 1.5 feet, which makes launching and retrieving problematic, at best, with motor thrust required, pushing sand and silt further into the lake.”

Speaking as a resident, John Wentworth (who is the town’s Code Enforcement Officer) called attention to the fact the Zakelo launch area is used in the winter by snowmobilers and ice-fishing enthusiasts. 

Could there be a “seasonal solution” to the problem? Officials instructed Pellerin to “check with legal” regarding if the area could be regulated on a seasonal basis — such as use as a boat launch in spring, fall and winter, and a swim area (no boats launched here) during the summer months.

If a seasonal approach can be taken, a citizen suggested that a gate could be installed, thus stopping launching during swim months; and then simply opening the gate when launching is allowed.

Pellerin suggested a public hearing be held to allow citizens to chime in on the subject. The Select Board agreed. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Harrison Town Office meeting room. The hearing will be virtual via Zoom to enable the public to hear comments made and offer their opinions.