Good for you and your geothermal system. We need people who will try some new technology that may or may not work.
Unfortunately, the "big stick" too often means new laws but also requires new state or federal funding. That translates into taxes. The incentive programs go away, but the taxes remain. Go slow. Do it for the grandchildren, not for yourself.

About This Case of "Loving It"...
 

I was visiting my next-door neighbors (by boat!), when I saw something strange floating by. Investigating, what I'd seen was a hoof. The rest of the deer was under water. Most everything dead arrives in Johnson's Cove, but that doesn't seem to discourage dozens of weekend visitors. Maybe they've experienced worse "at home"? :rolleye2:

Returning to my neighbors, they told me of seeing a disposable diaper floating by in the same direction. (A different season). They still drink directly from the lake, from about 2½ feet of water. Winter Harbor must be relatively clean: Nobody has reported sickness along this shore.

Today, just a week after seeing one other, I saw a second "disposed" aluminum can floating by. :rolleye1: Deposits can't come soon enough—not to include diapers! :eek2:

Shampooing their hair, two male visitors were the only case of "soaping-up" I've ever witnessed. Fortunately, both were nearly bald! :laugh:

As for cleaning boats in the lake, I've seen only one case, where the elderly couple must have spent two hours scrubbing the topside. That is, excluding the case of my BIL, who poured a bucket of second-hand PineSol into the lake. This transformed about three acres of Lake Winnipesaukee (right to the bottom) to a bright, opaque white. :(

'Course, exceptionally heavy boat traffic wakes (for a Thursday) a week ago stirred up shoreline sediments, so the lake bottom (normally very clear at 9 feet) turned murky.
:confused:

Hummm,,, bags of poop and dirty diapers and a dead deer, so then maybe the buckets of Pinesol balance it all out. :(

I think I would be punching a water well into the ground and get just a bit of mother earth filtration,,,

I used to think I'll give up pepsi some day, until a friend commented to another about his drinking from the water fountain down in Alton Bay. It went something like this;

Are you going to drink that, ya why, dont you know fish > had relations< in that! Well it was a version of that,,, :eek:

Cant make this stuff up. :rolleye1:

The Big Lake Has Taken a Major Hit Just in My Lifetime!
 

Yet, right here, we have advocates for visitors to anchor overnight! :mad:

Where I winter in Florida, the Marine Patrol inspects the pump-out logbooks of those anchored off the shoreline. And this is overlooking the Atlantic Ocean! :eek:

What the heck is a "pump-out logbook"

Are you talking about a different class of boat?

And what would good does that do if they didnt log the event, but had a macerator and just opened the valve and pumped away??? Having lived in Fla twice is was not my observation that the locals were too concerned about rules/laws if they thought there was any way to get away with it and not be caught.

Winnipesaukee watershed
 

http://winnipesaukeegateway.org

Specifically.....Lake Management.......Water Quality and Lake Health


Comprehensive lake report. Good news 5 weeks out strong meds much better best avoided for sure.

Add the missing words and punctuation?
 

quote"Good news 5 weeks out strong meds much better best avoided for sure."
Can somebody translate this or fill in the missing words and punctuation?
Than you.

Giardia
 

To clarify I was referring to Giardiasis the illness Dippasan identified and the origin of the post. Sorry for the confusion.

'Looked It Up For U...
 

Correct; however, blue-green algae has invaded much of Florida's East Coast waters—fresh and salt. :eek:

A "pump-out logbook" is now part of Martin County's new regulations regarding their ocean-connected waterways. One's overnight presence is recorded by the MP and you'll be fined for not having appropriate pump-outs stamped in a logbook. My understanding is that Monroe County has also enlisted the MPs in pump-out records, but there may be others.

"Liveaboards", cruisers and cruising sailboats anchored near shorelines are the targeted "class".

I'm reading that North Carolina has announced similar regulations.

https://cruisersnet.net/new-law-pump...equired-in-nc/

Interesting, and makes more sense if its targeting larger boats.

Thanks

Back to "Pee Platforms"...
 

Why hasn't New Hampshire addressed the REAL problem of increasing pollution in Lake Winnipesaukee?

Back in the years I was cooling my beverages with ice cut from Winter Harbor waters, the load capacity of most boats here was two! :eek:

Today, it wouldn't be unusual to watch a visiting weekend boat go by--carrying 20 people! :eek: :eek:

An "ordinary" Malibu ski boat that sank off Rattlesnake Island (and recovered) had been carrying 13--IIRC. :eek2:

Isn't it time that registration fees be based on boat capacity? After all, it's their impact on the water quality of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Fees shouldn't go to NH's "General Funds", anyway... :rolleye1:

I think it already factors in HP and length which pretty much indirectly covers it and probably a better measure of impact on average.

The bulk of the pollution on the lakes is from runoff. Due to removing the buffer, around the lakes, in some cases miles away from the effected lakes. Runoff not only includes fertilizer but also chemicals that never break down, like PCP’s and DDT that still exist. Then the accelerated plant growth impacts the oxygen, which impacts the species that help naturally keep the lakes clean.

Boats and people for 3 months a year do have impact but it’s managing runoff that is key. Thinking of buying on Squam or Winni we researched the hell out of it. If you want to help volunteer or donate with one the groups that work around the lakes that work on projects to control runoff. They install dry wells, buffers etc.

"the load capacity of most boats here was two!"

With engines that left nice little 2 stroke rainbows behind them. ;) And camps that dumped raw sewage straight into the lake.

Boats today do carry more folks but in all tend to be MUCH cleaner that all those 2 stroke and through hull exhaust boats and macrator pumps. Boats today are cleaner, just a LOT more boats today.

Not to Genertal Fund.
 

Boat registration fees go largely to the Navigation Safety Fund (MP) Fish and Game for SAR and to DES for lake quality programs. The tax portion may go to the state or to the local town if you register at a marina or town office. Not so much to the general funds.
Of course, sailboats and kayaks, etc without motors get all these benefits of improved lakes, launch ramps, MP, navaids for free.

It’s a combination of all the above . More run off , more boats , more and bigger houses, more sewage, last but not least more and more people which is having a cumulative effect on the lake .

True.

But the tiny cabin near the waters edge that is 80 years old without an updated septic probably pollutes more than the McMansion with a properly installed septic.

Or the old tiny 2 cycle 1960 Johnson outboard probably pollutes more than the dual V8 cigarette boat.

Don't assume size is all that matters.

But the bulk of the pollution is runoff. I'm not saying the others things are not worth monitoring and finding solutions for.

My point is some folks seem to think if we were back in the 1950's mentality all the pollution would not exist. Most of the pollution today is due to the practices back from the 1950's. And if we were as strict today back then the lakes would be in better shape.

This is a great point. From another angle--if we were following 1950's practices with 2020 population of people and boats, the lake would be an environmental disaster.

We need to improve our environmental practices as we expand, or we'll lose the lake.

Is not totally true for sailboats because a sailboat 12' length or more, without a motor, pays a registration fee, starting at about $40/yr.

With no motor, and 12' to 16' sail boat length, the hull id bow numbers are optional and just the colored sticker is required without the hull registration numbers on the bow. So, a 14' Sunfish pays about $40/yr and needs to have just the two colored bow stickers for the year.

An 11'10" sailboat with no motor pays no fee ...... and I have one ..... a CL- Echo!!! ..... :laugh:

The rudder and rudder holder brackets, aka the gudgeons and pintles, are NOT included when measuring the sail boat length. Is only the hull, itself.

Exactly. It's a tough challenge.

Don't Even Swim in The Water...What's Next in Toxic Life-Forms?
 

Cabins rarely achieve an age of 50 years on Winter Harbor.

One near me was 50 years old, and was just torn down last week. Some local tear-downs had concrete basements!

The former will become a McMansion, built beside a Mega-McMansion with three fireplaces. :eek2: They advertise for summer renters saying it will support five families! :eek:

Before we built here, a woodsman "harvested" every marketable White Pine tree on our acre. As a result, eroding boat wakes are slowly sliding our entire lot into the lake!

A few large Maple trees were left (showing the maple "taps" when used for maple syrup in the 1940s-1950s).

But the largest trees left behind were Eastern Hemlock, which have no redeeming value; that is, besides providing shade. :rolleye1:

Anyway, I noticed that our Eastern Hemlock needle "duff" was being crushed into mud by repeated hammerings of boat wakes: Where there used to be sand, this shoreline now has deep soggy soil pockets that can trip you up. :(

New weeds (to this area) have taken root. Could these changes introduce new single-cell life-forms to Lake Winnipesaukee?

We know the lake has giardia, gleoetrichia, and blue-green bacteria at present. What other life-forms can present a fourth toxic menace? We've read about it happening elsewhere:

https://nypost.com/2020/09/23/amoeba...n-into-liquid/

As a complete outsider and non-resident "the Winnipesaukee pollution Problem" as one poster put it seems like it is not one problem, but several complaints/concerns.

1. Is the lake clean enough to swim in, given all the concerns about people using it for their personal bathroom and other medical issues raised?
   
2. Can you use the lake water to drink from without significant levels of treatment?
   
3. Can the lake water be even better with restrictions, fines, increased boat registration fees?
   
4. Can the lake water be even better with home owner restrictions, changes in practices, and less waterfront homes?

Well for issue #1 I hope so, given how many swim in the lake every year, but in truth the bulk of that activity occurs for maybe 10 - 12 weeks at best, and the peek maybe as little as 4 - 6 weeks. So, it really begs the question of people on/in the water having a long-lasting impact. MAYBE for a short time, but it seems unlikely a lasting impact comes from people on/in the water.

Issue #2 probably looks very different to an outsider, there is no way I am configuring my drinking water to come from any body of water near a population without significant filtration, and even then I might still opt for a well. Is it really so costly to drill a well right next to a lake? Given that the houses we are talking about are often now valued over a million dollars and maybe much more, is the cost of a well and a treatment system even significant?

For issue #3, the cynic in me says no amount of increased cost or fines or fees or fuel tax will change whats going on. In the 21st century people seem to have unlimited spending power for what they want, even if its on borrowed money. I think the gas guzzler tax vs the electric car government incentives is a perfect example of a total failure and sham perpetrated on the tax payers. Americans want big powerful boats, trucks, and SUV's, and no financial program is changing that, not even when gas hit $4.00+/gal. Any change in usage will need to come from a different base than increased cost.

And sadly issue #4 is similar, you folks who live there and voice concern are also the ones who have the power to change this now. Give up lawns, stop clearing and maintaining your lots, move away and turn your property into conservation land. Ya, not even close to realistic. Pretty much the same as issue #3. People want what they want, and somehow feel their presence on the planet is not a contributing factor to these concerns, its always the other guy who is doing something more harmful that is the real problem.

I have NO answers is any of this and in truth believe the planet is here for us to use. Not abuse, but use. And based on what I see (not hear) most of you believe the same thing, or you would live in cities and just look at webcam images of Winnipesaukee so as to not impact it in any way.

Well this should be more than enough to get me pulverized in responses,,,:(

We know the answers to all of these questions. The lake is obviously great for swimming and not advised for drinking.

You're way too cynical on the inability of government and people to help the lake. Gas guzzler taxes and MPG requirements did improve average fuel economy. Government incentives for EVs (and solar) have been essential to getting both of those industries off the ground, and we are now weaning ourselves off of them as the economics of the new technology are becoming equal to the old entrenched stuff. (plenty of documentation for all these assertions if you google) And as ishoot has pointed out--uses (abuses) of the lake by individuals were much worse decades ago. We can do this!:)

Hummm, guess we have different glasses.

I'll totally confess to your comment "You're way too cynical on the inability of government and people to help the lake." The problem is I work for uncle Sam, and it is as corrupt and inefficient and wrong-headed as many believe. The incompetence of many of my coworkers dumbfounding and the countless wasted tax dollars I see every day is enough to make me literally sick every day. I once had this epiphany, that we should never have a military draft unless the enemy is marching onto our shores, BUT, if you want to make the United States government better, make EVERY kid serve 1 full year as a civil servant as soon as they graduate from high school and before college or any time off period. After a year if they dont want to change things in government, then there is no hope for the future and government will forever more remain dysfunctional.

Regarding "Gas guzzler taxes and MPG requirements did improve average fuel economy." Sorry, most of it is a lie, the actual EPA ratings are worthless and do not represent how people use their cars. In addition the manufacturers fudge the tests to make their numbers look good. Perfect example was the brilliant but total fraud of the diesel emission testing. My current truck averages 12MPG in real world driving, just the same as if you had a 1975 truck of the same class. And if you want a 30MPG car, you can certainly find many, but they were actually also available in 1975, just less people wanted them back then.

As for your comment "Government incentives for EVs (and solar) have been essential to getting both of those industries off the ground, and we are now weaning ourselves off of them as the economics of the new technology are becoming equal to the old entrenched stuff." AGREED! But in truth that money didnt come from no where, "I" am paying for those changes, and as I dont use any of them, arguably, "I" am not getting anything for my tax dollars. How is that fair?

I will forego any discussion about what is best from an environmental perspective for the moment, even though I believe EV cars and the whole solar industry "currently" have just as many problems as the carbon-fuel industry. They may be different environmental problems, but they unquestionably have them. But I will concede that if the "current" EV car and solar industry stay small, its a reasonable stepping stone to a better future that will come in time.

Well thats what I see through my glasses. Your vision my be different.

Nhlakes
 

It's not just Winnipesaukee. Smaller lakes have bigger problemsbecause thewy can't absorb the abuse. Many thatr used to be vac ation oriented are now supporting year round living. Fortunately, this means better caretakers, and better understanding or our responsibilities.
www.NHLAKES.org publishes a booklet aimed at what we can do to make our lakes clean and healthy. Most ideas there are fairly simple, but, as with many simple things we just need to be reminded.

I forgot to mention when I first saw this: "jumped the shark" is not an apt cliché here. What you meant to say is, "I was late to the party" or "I've succumb to the torture of Sisyphus" to indicate having missed something that already happened or trite repetition as opposed to "jumping the shark" indicating something no longer popular.

I'm interested in any other clichés that would apply as well!

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No "jumped the shark" was the right term as it was referring to over use of the same baby photo I had posted several times.

If you are referring to something else, then the lesson is lost on me without additional detail.

Sorry :rolleye1:

“Jumping the shark is an idiom used to describe a moment when something that was once widely popular, but has since grown less popular, makes a misguided attempt at generating publicity that instead only serves to highlight its irrelevance. This is especially applicable to television series or other entertainment outlets.[1] The phrase derives from an episode of sitcom Happy Days (1974–1984), in which the character Fonzie jumps over a shark while on water-skis.[2][3][4] This gimmick strayed absurdly outside the original storyline of the sitcom.”

You didn’t jump the shark, you just used one pic too often. I love this pic.


Sent from my iPad using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Ah, whatever happened to those boyish good looks and blond hair.

Gone with the beloved boat and my youth and those pajamas,,,

I suppose it would be inappropriate, in this thread, to ask for advice for a Viking funeral on Winnipesaukee,,, I figure my first pictures were here, and so should my last pictures.

I probably still have a few good years in me, so I'll hold that discussion for a later date/different thread :laugh:

https://scontent-bos3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...d1&oe=5F91878E

Our disagreement on EVs and gas guzzler taxes is irrelevant to my original point. My original point was that government taxes, incentives, and rules can change people's behavior (and thus can help the lake). You might not like EVs, just for example, but I'm pretty sure you'd agree that without the $7500 rebate (that is now being phased out), the EV industry would be much smaller.

I completely agree as a positive incentive the gift of money (especially substantial amounts of money) will change peoples behavior.

But I also completely disagree that so long as the penalties are in the realm of affordable, that they will have ANY impact.

A $1200 gas guzzler tax is not going to cause a potential buyer of a $70,000 Corvette from buying their dream car and spending that money AND get the incentive to buy a Tesla 4 door EV. Its just not happening.

Nor would a $50 fertilizer use fine stop a home owner from getting the lawn they desire.

And again, for the record, I fully support EV's as a very modest gateway technology, but they have a long way to go to be clean.

And to bring this back to your point, there is very significant difference between a reasonable use fine and incentive reward program and the bazaar and inappropriate government intervention in the automotive sales/use taxation and incentive programs: Why should the government significantly tax me for something like this and egregiously reward you. Thats NOT the job of government. Its WRONG to tax me on this and gift you with my money, especially when your EV has a laundry list of cradle to grave environmental and other problems.

I guess that this is an example of a more classic view of the role of Government, as opposed to the dysfunctional government we have currently devolved into.

So in the end, dont be surprised that someone who is not personally shopping for an EV is further alienated about EV's to know that the EV buyers who brag about the incentives were gifted that money from those who were not dissuaded from buying what they wanted and suffered the gas guzzler tax. Well thats one cur buyers perspective.

And sorry the EV/gas guzzler subject keeps popping up in this thread about Winnipesaukee water quality,but it does have some bearing, if only in the larger whole world perspective.

:cheers:

I agree that small penalties/rewards are silly.

On fertilizer, just for example, I think people directly on the lake should not be allowed to use fertilizer that contains phosphorous. It's basically pouring a known pollutant directly into the water.

On EVs, I think the USA made a smart investment in a critical technology for the future, and now an American company is kicking the butts of our frenemies overseas. It's done this many times in the past. Some of the bets don't pay off (I'm sure we could find hundreds that fail), but some of them turn out to be the internet, GPS, cancer cures, etc.