McDude,
Merrymeeting is actually consistent with most of the other lakes. The drawdown is usually somewhere between 1.5-2'. The only reason it is treated differently, as noted in the article, is because the lake level is controlled by Fish & Game rather than DES. The temperature and amount of water flowing through the fish hatchery is key so F&G have control.
About 20 years ago (I think it was 1982), the level was dropped substantially (6 feet or more) to repair the dam, and I've been told that it is going to be done again sometime in the next few years for additional repair work. But it doesn't appear that it will be this year.
I'll let you know if I find nothing but a massive mud hole containing a lot of dead fish next time I'm there.
