Your water-level worries are over ...

Bizer · 10-08-2005, 07:40 PM

But then again, so is the boating season.

Between 8am Friday and 8am Saturday, the lake rose 1.5". As I write this, the lake has risen an additional 3" since 8 am this morning, Saturday, for a total of 4.5". There is still oodles of rain between Winnipesaukee and New York City. I'd expect at least another 4" rise before Monday.

We may rival October, 1996, (9.2" rise in 2 days) or June, 1998, (8.5" rise in 2 days).

Resident 2B · 10-09-2005, 07:40 AM

From my crude measurments, the lake is up over 7" since Thursday afternoon. It appears to be still rising. The water level is more like late August than mid October. Time to get the boat back out of storage!

Stay dry!

Bizer · 10-09-2005, 09:27 AM

Winnipesaukee rose 1.5" on Friday, 6.8" on Saturday. As of 10 am, Sunday, it has risen more than 2" since this morning's official reading. The 7" rise on Saturday is the largest 1-day rise in my record books surpassing 1984 (4.5"), 1996 & 1998 (5"). The additional 4" that I had predicted yesterday has already occurred and the lake is still rising. Here are the heights for the past three days:

3.05' Friday
3.18' Saturday
3.75' Sunday
3.93' as of 10 am Sunday

Rainfall was 1.8" at the Lakeport dam on Friday and a whopping 5.4" on Saturday.

gtxrider · 10-09-2005, 11:54 AM

Have the animals started pairing up? If the rain you are getting or have gotten is anything like we hade yesterday and last night head for higher ground.

Stay dry and have a peaceful Holiday Weekend!

Paugus Bay Resident · 10-09-2005, 12:01 PM

Just got back to check on my boat (MVYC). Level looks about 6" from where it was this summer. I'm guessing it's gone up about a foot since we went out last week

I guess when all the tributaries finish emptying, we'll be quite a bit higher.

Lakegeezer · 10-09-2005, 08:38 PM

If you have a boat still in the water and don't trust its bildge pump, check it as soon as practical. Water was sloshing on the floor of my boat this morning and the bildge took 45 minutes to pump out. There was a boat stuck up on the shore along route 25 that was tilted way over and full of water. The little stream that flows along the launch at Lees Mills was running quicker that I have ever seen. A huge log went by, bobbing along with the flow. By mid-afternoon, the ground was starting to absorb the standing water, but it is still spring-like soupy around. Plenty of time to draw down the water again before it freezes.

Aquadeziac · 10-10-2005, 10:11 AM

My boat at GYC rose almost 8" from the time I left at 11:00 am Sat and when we stopped by at around noon yesterday. The boat is sitting as high as it was two months ago. Just heard more big rains expected again this mid-week. Didn't get a chance to go by the dam in Lakeport. Its going to have to be a slow draw down with Winnisquam, Opeechee, and Silver Lake maxxed out too. Even the Merrimack down here in Concord is swollen bad. Looked off the Sewalls Falls bridge yesterday afternoon and it was a good 3-4 feet higher than normal with raging rapids.

GWC... · 10-10-2005, 05:15 PM

Another view of the Lake level:

http://www.des.state.nh.us/Dam/graph/graph2005.htm

Paugus Bay Resident · 10-10-2005, 06:44 PM

Went down to MVYC today and there is a huge log (or dock piece) right in the main channel. The ducks were enjoying it

Lots of floating debris everywhere and the water is really murky. Based on what I've seen on TV about Alstead, I'm not going to complain though. Amazing spikes in the charts GWC linked

Based on the waterline marks on the pilings, levels about the same as it was a few months ago.

GTO · 10-11-2005, 12:22 PM

The waterfall at Mills Fall looked like it does in the spring. Lots of water still filling up the lake. Level went way up in just a couple of days. Better recheck those ropes on the boat if you've made recent adjustment.

Phantom · 10-11-2005, 02:27 PM

On our final trip under Wier's Bridge mid-day Monday the level indicator appeared to be only an inch (2 at the most) below the "Full Lake" red line.

John A. Birdsall · 10-11-2005, 03:40 PM

I arrived in Alton bay on Sat night late, looked at my boat on the mooring and their was plenty of freeboard on the transom. Next morning I had the same on the transom, however the new cover on my bowrider, had gone into the boat at the bow. filled to capacity with nice clean water. Had their been much of a wave action I am sure it would be sunk. Pumped it out and when I left on Monday their was enough water in the boat house to put it in. I could not get it half way in before.

My Long ride home I went down 101 and saw the merrimack,,wow was it full in Manchester, and the little side streams all the way were flowing very well.

Mee-n-Mac · 10-14-2005, 02:45 PM

I'm not sure about the rain we're supposed to get today but it appears the lake has stopped rising and is headed back down. No wonder, if you look at the link below you'll find an amazing amount of water pouring out of Lakeport.

Lake level:
http://www.des.state.nh.us/rti_inter...nipesaukee#ops

Dam info:
http://www.des.state.nh.us/rti_inter...E=Lakeport+Dam

FYI : If you care to track the waters flow downstream look below. It appears Winnisquam came up 2 ft and has settled back 1 ft. Silver Lake came up 5 ft (!!!!) and has come down 1 ft.

http://www.des.state.nh.us/rti_internal_home/winni.asp

Fargo · 10-15-2005, 11:23 AM

I checked our boat in the boathouse yesterday and the lake level was fine. Looks like the lake came up 4" last night. Could just barely get the boat out today from under the roof with 1/2" to spare. Glad I checked on it and was able to move it to the outside dock. Hate to be stuck in there for the winter!

Rattlesnake Gal · 10-16-2005, 06:17 PM

Rattlesnake Guy and I just got back from a crazy trip to the island. As we headed out of Alton Bay the lake was perfectly fine. At the top of the bay it became very windy with the waves becoming pretty big. We both put on our life vests and got ready for a wild ride. The closer to Rattlesnake, the scarier it got. As we rounded the end of the island the waves were huge, so I had R-Guy stop at a friends protected dock and I set out on foot to our place. When I arrived, the panels of the dock were just starting to lift up and settle back in again. By the time I donned my wet suit and vest (Thank goodness I did, I got soaked!) the panels were more than half way out. If we had been just a little bit later they would be gone and a danger to other boaters and property. I tied them down, so even if they come loose, they should not float away.

While out working I noticed many large branches and logs floating by, but there was nothing that could be done. Be careful of debris if you venture out on the water.
There are lots of docks under water on both Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam. Hopefully the water will recede soon.
We were shocked to see how high the water was under Mosquito Bridge over Winnisquam!

Click here for my pictures taken today of the waves and high water.

DRH · 10-16-2005, 09:49 PM

Great photos, RG. They really show how rough the lake was today. Sleepers Island is giving us some protection from the biggest waves, but even over here near Minge Cove many waves were rolling right over a number of docks today.

We recorded a wind gust of 42 mph at 11:37am this morning, and the wind is still howling tonight as well.

DRH · 10-17-2005, 07:24 AM

High winds continued to blow overnight. We recorded a gust of 43 mph at 2:50am this morning. At 8:30am today (Monday) the winds are down quite a bit, but we're still getting occasional high gusts.

ApS · 10-17-2005, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

"...While out working I noticed many large branches and logs floating by, but there was nothing that could be done. Be careful of debris if you venture out on the water..."

1) As the lake level retreats [this week

], those branches and logs will be lodging themselves "high" around the lake . Staying relatively dry over winter, they can be "mobile" again at ice-out, 2006.

(2005 was bad enough for debris. Picture is of 20-minutes-worth of pulling debris. Seat cushion is for scale).

2) If you have dock-ice circulators, check them for branches lodged in them. Winnipesaukee Aquatherm advises that underwater branches cause most circulator failures.

KBoater · 10-17-2005, 01:00 PM

RG,
Was it a Wavy crazy day in the Broads or was it a Crazy Broad in the Broads?

Glad you made it round trip.

Mee-n-Mac · 10-18-2005, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

1) As the lake level retreats [this week

], those branches and logs will be lodging themselves "high" around the lake . Staying relatively dry over winter, they can be "mobile" again at ice-out, 2006.

(2005 was bad enough for debris. Picture is of 20-minutes-worth of pulling debris. Seat cushion is for scale).

I can only hope it retreats (some) this week ! Imagining the number of dock failures from the high water + wind + waves, ice out 2006 will be a banner year for debris. We seemed to have collected a lot of froth, pine needles and small twigs so far these past storms. Well those and one signed Kent Hrbek baseball, which seems in good shape after it's swim

Rattlesnake Gal · 10-13-2005, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

If you have a boat still in the water and don't trust its bildge pump, check it as soon as practical.

Anyone who has lifts for boats or PWC's should check on them.
You might come back and find your boat has sailed without you!

DRH · 10-13-2005, 10:37 AM

I like your new avatar, RG!!

10-08-2005, 07:40 PM	#1
Bizer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 337 Thanks: 0 Thanked 250 Times in 83 Posts	Your water-level worries are over ... But then again, so is the boating season. Between 8am Friday and 8am Saturday, the lake rose 1.5". As I write this, the lake has risen an additional 3" since 8 am this morning, Saturday, for a total of 4.5". There is still oodles of rain between Winnipesaukee and New York City. I'd expect at least another 4" rise before Monday. We may rival October, 1996, (9.2" rise in 2 days) or June, 1998, (8.5" rise in 2 days).

10-09-2005, 07:40 AM	#2
Resident 2B Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Shore, MA Posts: 1,358 Thanks: 996 Thanked 314 Times in 164 Posts	The tide is coming in! From my crude measurments, the lake is up over 7" since Thursday afternoon. It appears to be still rising. The water level is more like late August than mid October. Time to get the boat back out of storage! Stay dry!

10-09-2005, 09:27 AM	#3
Bizer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 337 Thanks: 0 Thanked 250 Times in 83 Posts	I think I've quenched my thirst Winnipesaukee rose 1.5" on Friday, 6.8" on Saturday. As of 10 am, Sunday, it has risen more than 2" since this morning's official reading. The 7" rise on Saturday is the largest 1-day rise in my record books surpassing 1984 (4.5"), 1996 & 1998 (5"). The additional 4" that I had predicted yesterday has already occurred and the lake is still rising. Here are the heights for the past three days: 3.05' Friday 3.18' Saturday 3.75' Sunday 3.93' as of 10 am Sunday Rainfall was 1.8" at the Lakeport dam on Friday and a whopping 5.4" on Saturday.

10-09-2005, 11:54 AM	#4
gtxrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Piscataway, NJ Posts: 1,030 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 24 Posts	"How highs the water mama?" Have the animals started pairing up? If the rain you are getting or have gotten is anything like we hade yesterday and last night head for higher ground. Stay dry and have a peaceful Holiday Weekend!

10-09-2005, 08:38 PM	#6
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,683 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 356 Thanked 641 Times in 292 Posts	Swamped boats If you have a boat still in the water and don't trust its bildge pump, check it as soon as practical. Water was sloshing on the floor of my boat this morning and the bildge took 45 minutes to pump out. There was a boat stuck up on the shore along route 25 that was tilted way over and full of water. The little stream that flows along the launch at Lees Mills was running quicker that I have ever seen. A huge log went by, bobbing along with the flow. By mid-afternoon, the ground was starting to absorb the standing water, but it is still spring-like soupy around. Plenty of time to draw down the water again before it freezes. __________________ -lg

10-09-2005, 12:01 PM	#5
Paugus Bay Resident Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Gilmanton, NH Posts: 754 Thanks: 136 Thanked 93 Times in 51 Posts	Just got back to check on my boat (MVYC). Level looks about 6" from where it was this summer. I'm guessing it's gone up about a foot since we went out last week I guess when all the tributaries finish emptying, we'll be quite a bit higher.

10-10-2005, 10:11 AM	#7
Aquadeziac Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Concord NH Posts: 239 Thanks: 19 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	My boat at GYC rose almost 8" from the time I left at 11:00 am Sat and when we stopped by at around noon yesterday. The boat is sitting as high as it was two months ago. Just heard more big rains expected again this mid-week. Didn't get a chance to go by the dam in Lakeport. Its going to have to be a slow draw down with Winnisquam, Opeechee, and Silver Lake maxxed out too. Even the Merrimack down here in Concord is swollen bad. Looked off the Sewalls Falls bridge yesterday afternoon and it was a good 3-4 feet higher than normal with raging rapids. __________________ "He who dies with the most toys wins"

10-10-2005, 05:15 PM	#8
GWC... Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,325 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Another view of the Lake level: http://www.des.state.nh.us/Dam/graph/graph2005.htm

10-10-2005, 06:44 PM	#9
Paugus Bay Resident Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Gilmanton, NH Posts: 754 Thanks: 136 Thanked 93 Times in 51 Posts	Went down to MVYC today and there is a huge log (or dock piece) right in the main channel. The ducks were enjoying it Lots of floating debris everywhere and the water is really murky. Based on what I've seen on TV about Alstead, I'm not going to complain though. Amazing spikes in the charts GWC linked Based on the waterline marks on the pilings, levels about the same as it was a few months ago. Last edited by Paugus Bay Resident; 10-10-2005 at 06:47 PM.

10-11-2005, 12:22 PM	#10
GTO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,091 Thanks: 339 Thanked 354 Times in 162 Posts	lake level The waterfall at Mills Fall looked like it does in the spring. Lots of water still filling up the lake. Level went way up in just a couple of days. Better recheck those ropes on the boat if you've made recent adjustment. __________________ GTO

10-11-2005, 02:27 PM	#11
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	Lake Level On our final trip under Wier's Bridge mid-day Monday the level indicator appeared to be only an inch (2 at the most) below the "Full Lake" red line.

10-11-2005, 03:40 PM	#12
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	boat vs water level I arrived in Alton bay on Sat night late, looked at my boat on the mooring and their was plenty of freeboard on the transom. Next morning I had the same on the transom, however the new cover on my bowrider, had gone into the boat at the bow. filled to capacity with nice clean water. Had their been much of a wave action I am sure it would be sunk. Pumped it out and when I left on Monday their was enough water in the boat house to put it in. I could not get it half way in before. My Long ride home I went down 101 and saw the merrimack,,wow was it full in Manchester, and the little side streams all the way were flowing very well.

10-14-2005, 02:45 PM	#13
Mee-n-Mac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,943 Thanks: 23 Thanked 111 Times in 51 Posts	Coming back down ? I'm not sure about the rain we're supposed to get today but it appears the lake has stopped rising and is headed back down. No wonder, if you look at the link below you'll find an amazing amount of water pouring out of Lakeport. Lake level: http://www.des.state.nh.us/rti_inter...nipesaukee#ops Dam info: http://www.des.state.nh.us/rti_inter...E=Lakeport+Dam FYI : If you care to track the waters flow downstream look below. It appears Winnisquam came up 2 ft and has settled back 1 ft. Silver Lake came up 5 ft (!!!!) and has come down 1 ft. http://www.des.state.nh.us/rti_internal_home/winni.asp __________________ Mee'n'Mac "Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by simple stupidity or ignorance. The latter are a lot more common than the former." - RAH Last edited by Mee-n-Mac; 10-14-2005 at 02:56 PM.

10-15-2005, 11:23 AM	#14
Fargo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lake Winni Posts: 215 Thanks: 36 Thanked 130 Times in 38 Posts	I checked our boat in the boathouse yesterday and the lake level was fine. Looks like the lake came up 4" last night. Could just barely get the boat out today from under the roof with 1/2" to spare. Glad I checked on it and was able to move it to the outside dock. Hate to be stuck in there for the winter!

10-16-2005, 06:17 PM	#15
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,253 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,455 Thanked 1,357 Times in 476 Posts	Crazy Day on The Broads! Rattlesnake Guy and I just got back from a crazy trip to the island. As we headed out of Alton Bay the lake was perfectly fine. At the top of the bay it became very windy with the waves becoming pretty big. We both put on our life vests and got ready for a wild ride. The closer to Rattlesnake, the scarier it got. As we rounded the end of the island the waves were huge, so I had R-Guy stop at a friends protected dock and I set out on foot to our place. When I arrived, the panels of the dock were just starting to lift up and settle back in again. By the time I donned my wet suit and vest (Thank goodness I did, I got soaked!) the panels were more than half way out. If we had been just a little bit later they would be gone and a danger to other boaters and property. I tied them down, so even if they come loose, they should not float away. While out working I noticed many large branches and logs floating by, but there was nothing that could be done. Be careful of debris if you venture out on the water. There are lots of docks under water on both Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam. Hopefully the water will recede soon. We were shocked to see how high the water was under Mosquito Bridge over Winnisquam! Click here for my pictures taken today of the waves and high water. Last edited by webmaster; 11-19-2005 at 04:57 PM. Reason: Add photos and links to others.

10-16-2005, 09:49 PM	#16
DRH Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Meredith Posts: 1,694 Thanks: 1,212 Thanked 677 Times in 179 Posts	Great photos, RG. They really show how rough the lake was today. Sleepers Island is giving us some protection from the biggest waves, but even over here near Minge Cove many waves were rolling right over a number of docks today. We recorded a wind gust of 42 mph at 11:37am this morning, and the wind is still howling tonight as well. __________________ DRH

10-17-2005, 07:24 AM	#17
DRH Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Meredith Posts: 1,694 Thanks: 1,212 Thanked 677 Times in 179 Posts	High winds continued to blow overnight. We recorded a gust of 43 mph at 2:50am this morning. At 8:30am today (Monday) the winds are down quite a bit, but we're still getting occasional high gusts. __________________ DRH

10-17-2005, 01:00 PM	#19
KBoater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 521 Thanks: 10 Thanked 29 Times in 15 Posts	Crazy?? RG, Was it a Wavy crazy day in the Broads or was it a Crazy Broad in the Broads? Glad you made it round trip. __________________ Home Permanently in NH

10-13-2005, 10:37 AM	#22
DRH Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Meredith Posts: 1,694 Thanks: 1,212 Thanked 677 Times in 179 Posts	I like your new avatar, RG!! __________________ DRH Last edited by DRH; 10-13-2005 at 10:41 AM.