Water Quality

Lakegeezer · 08-05-2009, 06:52 AM

The lack of water clarity this year is shocking! Probably caused by runoff and erosion, to do rain and high water. According to Bizer's chart, only once has it been this high on this date, and that was last year. My beach area eroded about a foot this year, so the whole lake shoreline must be contributing sediment, in addition to the rain runoff soup. Has there been a change in policy for maintaining the lake level, or has the rain just stayed ahead of the speed it can practically be drained? The impact of the shoreline protection act may help the runoff problem, not the wind/wake erosion issue.

In the past, UNH kept statistics on lake quality, including visibility. The latest I could find was from 2007, and there have been two years of high water since. Is there more recent information?

What is water clarity like in your area of the lake this year?

feb · 08-05-2009, 07:37 AM

Around my house on Winnisquam, the water has been frequently rusty colored like tea for several days after each deluge we've had. It has also been nice and clear this summer but for a week or so after each rain it looks like Earl Grey.

Mee-n-Mac · 08-05-2009, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

What is water clarity like in your area of the lake this year?

It's noticably brown in color right now. Has been for at least a couple of weeks. Usually it's this way a bit after ice out (when it's crystal clear) as the rains wash stuff in and the dead leaves get stirred up. Then it returns to clear. I'm not sure it ever returned to clear this year.

ishoot308 · 08-05-2009, 07:39 AM

At my camp on Welch the water clarity has been superb. On calm mornings you can see and read the bottom like a map easily in 8' of water.

Probably with all the rain, the bays, coves and inlet areas are experiencing runoff and some lack of clarity.

Dan

eyenotall777 · 08-06-2009, 10:49 AM

We have also noticed the same thing. Not so clear. Lots of debris and leaves and coating on the bottom that you use to be able to see right down to. Not just on Winni, but other lakes in the area as well. Hopefully, Mother Nature will clear it up.

08-05-2009, 06:52 AM	#1
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,677 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 354 Thanked 639 Times in 290 Posts	Water Quality The lack of water clarity this year is shocking! Probably caused by runoff and erosion, to do rain and high water. According to Bizer's chart, only once has it been this high on this date, and that was last year. My beach area eroded about a foot this year, so the whole lake shoreline must be contributing sediment, in addition to the rain runoff soup. Has there been a change in policy for maintaining the lake level, or has the rain just stayed ahead of the speed it can practically be drained? The impact of the shoreline protection act may help the runoff problem, not the wind/wake erosion issue. In the past, UNH kept statistics on lake quality, including visibility. The latest I could find was from 2007, and there have been two years of high water since. Is there more recent information? What is water clarity like in your area of the lake this year? __________________ -lg Last edited by Lakegeezer; 08-05-2009 at 06:55 AM. Reason: fix formating

08-05-2009, 07:37 AM	#2
feb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith (Winnisquam) & Nashua, NH Posts: 213 Thanks: 25 Thanked 20 Times in 17 Posts	Winnisquam is rusty Around my house on Winnisquam, the water has been frequently rusty colored like tea for several days after each deluge we've had. It has also been nice and clear this summer but for a week or so after each rain it looks like Earl Grey.

08-05-2009, 07:39 AM	#4
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,232 Thanks: 2,384 Thanked 5,277 Times in 2,051 Posts	Great on Welch At my camp on Welch the water clarity has been superb. On calm mornings you can see and read the bottom like a map easily in 8' of water. Probably with all the rain, the bays, coves and inlet areas are experiencing runoff and some lack of clarity. Dan

08-06-2009, 10:49 AM	#5
eyenotall777 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 154 Thanks: 39 Thanked 28 Times in 19 Posts	Not so much We have also noticed the same thing. Not so clear. Lots of debris and leaves and coating on the bottom that you use to be able to see right down to. Not just on Winni, but other lakes in the area as well. Hopefully, Mother Nature will clear it up.