DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for your good work. We live on the Androscoggin River and put our boat in the river. Every year they drop the water about three feet.

Is there any way we can find out when they will drop the water or raise it again? We don’t know whom to contact or when they plan to drop the water level. It’s very inconvenient to be stuck in the mud, and a little consideration would be appreciated. — W.R., Auburn

ANSWER: Denis R. Caron, electrical superintendent in the Lewiston Public Works Department, emailed Sun Spots that “the flow of the Androscoggin is now controlled by Brookfield Renewable. They took controlled of the river and the associated generating facilities in January or February of 2013.”

Denis provided a contact, and Sun Spots was finally able to speak to John Elmer at Brookfield (vacations can make reaching people in the summer difficult!). John said that the problems you have had in the past should abate.

He said they are in the process of upgrading the dam from wooden boards to a new pneumatic system, with rubber inflatable balloons that should help maintain a more even flow.

He said that the old wooden boards would fail each spring from the ice, thus leading to the rapid drawdown you’ve experienced. 

He said if there is a major project that would affect the flow, it should be on their website: brookfieldrenewable.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thanks so much for really good information.

Do you know of any body of water around Auburn where you can take your dog swimming? Maine boasts of lot of water but you can’t use it. — B. Young, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots can understand why dogs are not allowed on public beaches or in public water supplies, but surely there must be plenty of other options. Such as the river? Readers?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Hey, what’s the scoop on the south Main Street meeting held at the fire station? Haven’t heard a peep. — Robert, [email protected]

ANSWER: Which Main Street? You didn’t supply a city or town, date or any other identifying information for Sun Spots to be able to help you.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have been searching the Sun Journal’s website and cannot find my answer. My son made the presidential dean’s list at Thomas College for 2012 school year. It was supposed to be published in the paper, but I did not see it in print. Is it possible to find out if it made it in the paper? Thank you.

This does not need to be published in your column; email answer will be fine. — Sharlene Myers, [email protected]

ANSWER: You did not provide your son’s name or your town, so the search is a tough one. Also, Sun Spots did not find a “presidential” dean’s list, just a dean’s list. 

There was one published on Feb. 13, sunjournal.com/news/well-done/2013/02/28/thomas-college-announces-fall-2012-dean-s-list/1326981, and another on July 12, sunjournal.com/news/well-done/2013/07/12/thomas-college-deans-list/1391903.

If your son’s named was left out, you need to contact Thomas College. The Sun Journal does not send a reporter to collect these names, but is dependent on the school’s sending them in.

As for answering privately by email, Sun Spots does not do that. The Sun Journal pays her to provide material for the column so everyone can read the answer and be informed. Or perhaps at least entertained?

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to [email protected].