[Outlaw]

Originally Posted by madrasahs

1) What "good" is done by the water released from Winnipesaukee?
Hydro-electric? Drinking water for Massachusetts? Recreation?

2) Why do swim-spaghetti-sized white foamy lumps mostly appear in September -- after the boating stops, and Winnipesaukee water starts to drain or evaporate?

3) Anybody notice the dull black "bathtub-ring" since the level has dropped on Winnipesaukee these past two weeks? And how "clean" the shoreline appears below it?

A1:
If you haven't been on this lake long, you would not remember about 6 six years ago, the whole lake was declared a no wake zone due to extreme amount of snow, causing an excessive amount of run off from the mountains forcing the lake level well above full lake. Not only was this an issue for boaters, of all types, but property owners as well. Natural erosion, property flooding, homes suffering flood damage and wild life around the lake loosing the natural elements for building homes/nests as much of it was under water. The lake has what is referred to as a "full lake" level and it is dropped in the fall to accommodate the spring melt and run off from the mountains.

A2: Boating doesn't stop in September on this lake, it decreases due to all the vacation boaters and snow bunnies leaving for the season or not visiting as frequently.

A3: That dull black ring as you refer to it as, is there every year when the lake is lowered. Is this ring you're speaking of on your property?? Around the western side of the lake the ring we have is more yellowish in color and is created from pollen. It's possible the ring you have is run off from your septic system indicating its failing.

To answer the original question of this thread: Many local and weekend boaters use the Mount Washington's last cruise as an indicator when they take their boat out for the season (this year it would be October 23rd). It's not a bad idea to keep an eye on the long term weather forecast to see if there are any unexpected temperature drops that could cause freezing for a day or more (water in the boat motor(s) could freeze and cause damage). But if you're talking about now or October 8th, you should be fine with October 8th, and like I mentioned, keep an eye on the weather and if you are using a marina, chat with them to see when they can take the boat out (based on their schedule).