Are Winnie Water Levels Higher than Normal?

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by mishman

According to this chart https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files...-graph2023.pdf
the lake is 3/4 of a foot above normal for this time of the year. What I don't understand is why there is not a greater release to bring the level down to average for this time of the year. If the lake freezes at this level, it will do damage to shore structures like cantilevered docks.

The lake level on Winnipesaukee is not maintained without consideration for the other lakes downstream. The outflow goes through Opechee and Winnisquam and eventually to the Merrimack River and out to the ocean. There are times when they are maximizing the flow based on what the downstream lakes and rivers can handle.

With this year's weather they may be less worried about ice damage in the near future and more interested in maintaining a slower flow for hydropower purposes.