No wake - lake wide??

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Airwaves

Hi All,
I just would like to get back to a statement I read from a post on Wednesday from Weirs Guy:

Is there any truth to this? If so I'd like to know now since we are in the midst of a major clean up operation and if we are going to get more water from the lake, and another half inch or so of rain Friday, I'd really like a heads up!

Well they've increased to outflow at Lakeport just recently. I'd guess that this new, higher rate will continue unless it threatens to re-flood downstream. From GWC's and UTS's posts it sounds like we'll be getting another inch or so of rain so perhaps the dam guys will scale back a bit. In either case I'd be concerned that the water will rise somewhat this weekend.

The inflow and outflow for the Lakeport dam can be found here. I think there is a hour by hour chart as well but I couldn't find it. Depending on where downstream you are you might want to find the discharge rates for other dams which can be found here. ie - the discharge from the Winnipesaukee River might be useful to those on the Merrimac.

[secondcurve]

Orion:

Thanks for the apology. I appreciate it. My boat will remain tied up until at least the Memorial Day weekend. Let's all pray for a prolonged period of sunshine.

[Woodsy]

According to this article in todays Union Leader, the lake-wide NWZ is VOLUNTARY.

Why it isn't a mandatory NWZ is beyond me. I can only guess that DES doesn't see the need for it.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.a...2-daa5d3ad3123

I am guessing that because its not a mandated NWZ, very few will get the message. Even if they do, they are not bound to obey it. Last a lake-wide NWZ was implemented, it was MANDATORY. It received an incredible amount of media coverage, with tv, radio and print. Today its just a small blurb...

Woodsy

[Lakegeezer]

In the NWZ of 98, air-horns were useful in letting the relatives of Captain Bonehead know that they were leaving too much wake.

For those of you that have boats tied up to a dock, you may want to check the connection. My boat is listing towards the dock, because the ropes are connected to an eyelet dock-side and the boat is now tied too tight. The dock is a bit crooked, and decking on the low side is even with the water. Every time a boat goes by with wake, the dock is washed with the wake. For once, I'm glad the weather doesn't look good for the weekend. It will keep the boating population down, and those that fish tend to understand the issues about lake ecology.

[Weirs guy]

Airwaves,

Don't quote me on this, I'm by no means an expert. I know that earlier in the week there was talk of brining Silver lake in Belmont, part of the Winni watershed, up 2'(?) over flood stage to bring winni down. I'm not sure if todays rains or other variables have changed that. I was just hoping that we aren't making matters worse downstream to save our own beaches and docks.

Just more proof that Keeper and his dam buddies can’t win. Somebody somewhere won't want the extra water.

[Lakegeezer]

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

It will keep the boating population down, and those that fish tend to understand the issues about lake ecology.

I was wrong. I have been watching fishing boats go by all afternoon. All were cruising at wake speed. Each time they go by, the lake is slapping at the shore line in places that haven't seen water since 98 and it is eroding quickly. At least the boats are fairly small, and the wake is 1-2 feet. No heavy cruisers so far.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

I was wrong. I have been watching fishing boats go by all afternoon. All were cruising at wake speed. Each time they go by, the lake is slapping at the shore line in places that haven't seen water since 98 and it is eroding quickly.

Based on our observations today, the "no wake" request is being ignored by practically all boaters. Unless the "request" is changed to a "requirement", I am afraid there is going to be significant shoreline and dock damage.