Lake Level Too LOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Cobalt · 09-08-2009, 11:01 PM

The lake has been lowered at a rate approaching and exceeding 1000 cfs over the last few weeks to reach this "normal level".

What is so critical about lowering the level one foot by Labor Day? Maybe, the dam operator or operators, who maintained the lake level at boater friendly levels most of the season, can explain. Would an October 1 date work for the lower level? It certainly would extend the boating season, and help out the local economy.

Thanks in advance.

KonaChick · 09-08-2009, 11:20 PM

Husband was just bellyachin' about the same thing over the weekend! I think they should wait a few more weeks too.....

thebix · 09-09-2009, 01:08 AM

Take a look at Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford / Franklin counties, Virginia.

This is 'Lake Winni, south'. Remember the Bill Murray / Richard Dreyfuss 1991 movie, 'What About Bob'? Takes place on Lake Winni, but actually filmed at SML.

I've spent the last 8 summers there.

It's a pumped storage hydro power project, build and run by the electric power company.
Their permit requires a certain water flow downstream, even if drought conditions result in less water entering the lake. So in the southwest Virginia droughts of 2007 and 2008 the levels dropped by the end of the summer (into October, summer lasts longer there!) 3-4 feet!

Had to set the boat lift on the bottom to get the boat off. And hope the level didn't drop too much while we were out.

And when there is demand for hydro power the level can drop a foot during the day! (HOT July weekends, 90+, create huge electric demands). The pumped storage part refills the lake overnight, so Sunday AM the level is almost back to the Saturday AM level.

So a day-to-day fluctuation of a foot or more is common!

See this link to the water levels:
http://www.smithmountainlakelevel.com/SMLLevelWeb.exe

Change the first date to 2006 and see how it dropped 3-4 feet from full pond in past years.
2009 has been kinder.
Then set the dates for say Sept 5 - 9, and see how it fluctuates up to a foot in one day.

Greene's Basin Girl · 09-13-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebix

Take a look at Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford / Franklin counties, Virginia.

This is 'Lake Winni, south'. Remember the Bill Murray / Richard Dreyfuss 1991 movie, 'What About Bob'? Takes place on Lake Winni, but actually filmed at SML.

I've spent the last 8 summers there.

It's a pumped storage hydro power project, build and run by the electric power company.
Their permit requires a certain water flow downstream, even if drought conditions result in less water entering the lake. So in the southwest Virginia droughts of 2007 and 2008 the levels dropped by the end of the summer (into October, summer lasts longer there!) 3-4 feet!

Had to set the boat lift on the bottom to get the boat off. And hope the level didn't drop too much while we were out.

And when there is demand for hydro power the level can drop a foot during the day! (HOT July weekends, 90+, create huge electric demands). The pumped storage part refills the lake overnight, so Sunday AM the level is almost back to the Saturday AM level.

So a day-to-day fluctuation of a foot or more is common!

See this link to the water levels:
http://www.smithmountainlakelevel.com/SMLLevelWeb.exe

Change the first date to 2006 and see how it dropped 3-4 feet from full pond in past years.
2009 has been kinder.
Then set the dates for say Sept 5 - 9, and see how it fluctuates up to a foot in one day.

I resided on Smith Mountain Lake, in Moneta , when they were filming the movie. I was told that they filmed it there instead of NH, because they wanted a place with a later fall for filming. It was fun because I saw the actor'rs when they were filming. Winnipesaukee is certainly more pristine than Smith Mountain Lake ( in my opinion) and the water is much clearer. Of course as you know SML is man-made. I loved how long the fall was though in Moneta. I use to skull and I remember rowing in January. My boat tipped over and of course the lake was extremely cold, but it wasn't frozen.

Pineedles · 09-13-2009, 06:51 PM

I assume you mean the SML in Virginia. It does look a lot like Winni., except for the higher mountain profile. Perhaps NH should try to get more filming done on Winni rather than subbing out to other states.

ITD · 09-13-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineedles

I assume you mean the SML in Virginia. It does look a lot like Winni., except for the higher mountain profile. Perhaps NH should try to get more filming done on Winni rather than subbing out to other states.

Nah, don't wish for that. Massachusetts gives a 25% tax CREDIT for every new dollar of spending a production studio brings into the state. It's a great deal, for the studios. A credit is different from a write off in that you don't even need to pay any taxes to get your money. You just document how much spending you brought in and the state writes you a check, out of its treasury (taxpayers money). To prevent the studios from running up to tax free nh to buy stuff, the state also waives the sales tax for all production related purchases. Somebody has to pay that credit, unfortunately its us poor slobs who live here and pay taxes.

(Sorry for going so far off topic, I'll stop here....)

HUH · 09-15-2009, 11:15 PM

43 years on the lake, same frontage and small beach.. This is quite normal and will go lower. Not sure exactly what there is to fight? Mother nature ALWAYS wins.. compensate

Cobalt · 09-16-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUH

43 years on the lake, same frontage and small beach.. This is quite normal and will go lower. Not sure exactly what there is to fight? Mother nature ALWAYS wins.. compensate

You miss the point. Mother nature did not lower the lake level this year, and perhaps it is time for a new normal this time of year.

SIKSUKR · 09-16-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobalt

You miss the point. Mother nature did not lower the lake level this year, and perhaps it is time for a new normal this time of year.

Well if you want to get that twisted about your issue with the lake level then I would say "mother nature didn't build the dam that made Winni's water level higher than before man intervened".

White Rook · 09-16-2009, 11:37 AM

Hello All,

Browsing through the webcams this morning, I got that "Whoa!" feeling when I saw the Alton webcam. Looking at the rocks that the dock rests on, it looks like the lake level dropped quite a bit in a short time period. I usually look at the webcams every day or every other day. Today was the first that I saw a significant drop

tis · 09-16-2009, 02:35 PM

I agree, White Rock. I , too, suddenly realized yesterday and thought the same thing! Whoa!, When did that happen. And I have BEEN here!

Senter Cove Guy · 09-16-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobalt

You miss the point. Mother nature did not lower the lake level this year, and perhaps it is time for a new normal this time of year.

As I previously stated, I'd like to see lake draw down start after Columbus Day. Now, how do we go about making that a reality?

KPW · 09-16-2009, 09:13 PM

Do they need to provide a certain amount of water for the people downstream?

LIforrelaxin · 09-18-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senter Cove Guy

As I previously stated, I'd like to see lake draw down start after Columbus Day. Now, how do we go about making that a reality?

If you want to make this a reality here are the steps I suggest.....

1) call DES and find out who is in charge of A)the Dam control, and B) the entire watershed

2)Find out why the control the lake level to this level at this time of year. This is very important and you must completely understand why it is they do what they do.

3)Find out if there is a formal way to seek an audience with both the Dam Controller and the person in charge of the entire watershed.

4)Discuss your concerns, and also have them explain any details that you don't understand form step 2.

5) go home and think about everything you have learned.

6) Draft a formal letter of concern stating the problem, identify that you understand why the proceedure is currently the way that it is. Then relay your purposal for change, and try to plea you point as to why this change would be of minimal inpact.....

Nope this isn't easy, change never is. And yes someone is going to have to become very educated on the watershed to understand why they do what they do. But if you truely want to change things this is what it takes.

Currently they have a reason and historical data to back up what they are doing. I watch this lake all the time and have done so for 20 years. I have no issues with the lake being at its current level. I have seen way to many years where the lake starts rising agian because of showers and storms in Spet. Oct. and Nov. If you want to change things you need to convince the dam people that if the lake stays up for 2 or 3 more weeks, that they will have the time to shed all the water, and any additional water that may accumulate to reach there goals later in the year. All of this off course is in addition to not overfilling the other lakes in the watershed, and keeping the rivers where they need to be.

There is a lot that goes on here, to assume that the dropping the lake to the point they do this time of year just because, is not a good arguement. They do it for reasons, in controling the watershed they aren't just trying to make the people of one lake happy, they are trying to make the entire watershed happy. There are dam maintence schedules to keep etc. etc. all this work needs to happen yearly....

ok I have gone on long enough

knowit · 09-18-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote from LI
"If you want to change things you need to convince the dam people that if the lake stays up for 2 or 3 more weeks, that they will have the time to shed all the water, and any additional water that may accumulate to reach there goals later in the year."

I really don't think we need to resort to name calling. I am sure the people that run the water flow control structure are very nice people.

HAHAHAHAHAHHA sorry, couldn't resist!

PS I agree that they should probably wait until after Columbus day or so.

tc_mike · 09-18-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowit

Quote from LI
"If you want to change things you need to convince the dam people that if the lake stays up for 2 or 3 more weeks, that they will have the time to shed all the water, and any additional water that may accumulate to reach there goals later in the year."

I really don't think we need to resort to name calling. I am sure the people that run the water flow control structure are very nice people.

HAHAHAHAHAHHA sorry, couldn't resist!

PS I agree that they should probably wait until after Columbus day or so.

Everyone's favorite dam tour...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhs_-XOP2ZA

knowit · 09-18-2009, 03:37 PM

exactly what I was thinking about!

Rose · 09-09-2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobalt

The lake has been lowered at a rate approaching and exceeding 1000 cfs over the last few weeks to reach this "normal level".

What is so critical about lowering the level one foot by Labor Day? Maybe, the dam operator or operators, who maintained the lake level at boater friendly levels most of the season, can explain. Would an October 1 date work for the lower level? It certainly would extend the boating season, and help out the local economy.

Thanks in advance.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gifs/peakofseason.gif

Winnipesaukee Divers · 09-09-2009, 07:43 AM

After watching the lake level drop so much in the past couple of weeks, I decided to have my boat pulled a week early this year. I weight 18,000 lbs and draft 5 feet and we have a 30 ton crane at the club which can lift me easily at short distances. When I came into our usual lifting spot I ran a ground about five feet out, the boys at the club struggle and struggled to lift the boat and at one point had the rear outriggers completely off the ground. They had to re-set the crane three times and drag the boat over the bottom until they got it close enough to lift. That was five hours for three men to to get one boat out.

We have been hauling this boat out in the same spot, with the same equipment for ten years now and never had as much trouble as we had yesterday. So, don't tell me the lake is at it's normal depth... Had I known it was going to be this much hassle I would have had it hauled two weeks ago.

BTW: They have two more big boats like mine to get out, but the owner want to stay in a couple more weeks for some fine fall sailing... If we don't get a major storm in the next few weeks it looks like they be wintering over in the lake again this year.

Cobalt · 09-10-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rose

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gifs/peakofseason.gif

Rose,

Thank you for the NOAA chart showing a peak number of storms by Sept 10 for the 100 years period, but how many of these actually impacted the Lakes Region?

While staying at a marina during the mid 90's, I was told by one of the owners that a contract required the release of water from the lake to provide power for hydroelectric generation downstream. This accounted for the lower levels late summer even during drought conditions.

Does anyone know if this is part of the reason for the "normal" low water levels this time of year?

Fishy Cover · 09-10-2009, 07:31 AM

Definitely caused by global warming

LIforrelaxin · 09-10-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishy Cover

Definitely caused by global warming

Show me proof!!!!!!!!

ITD · 09-10-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishy Cover

Definitely caused by global warming

"Global Warming" is passe, too cold. You have to call it Climate Change now, it covers all weather.

I for one am happy with the lake at its current height, the past few summers the water has been too high. That, combined with boat wakes has caused much erosion of the shore line and silted up the water.

Rose · 09-10-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobalt

Rose,

Thank you for the NOAA chart showing a peak number of storms by Sept 10 for the 100 years period, but how many of these actually impacted the Lakes Region?

While staying at a marina during the mid 90's, I was told by one of the owners that a contract required the release of water from the lake to provide power for hydroelectric generation downstream. This accounted for the lower levels late summer even during drought conditions.

Does anyone know if this is part of the reason for the "normal" low water levels this time of year?

I couldn't find a list specifically for tropical storms which affected the Lakes Region, but here are the stats I found for New England from 1800 to present:

June - 3
July - 4
Aug - 10
Sept - 18
Oct - 5

No, the numbers aren't huge, but the peak is in late August into September. Perhaps we should be grateful they don't lower the lake sooner.

The lowering of the lake is guided by several factors. Let's give the dam operators the benefit of the doubt that they know what they're doing and acknowledge that it can sometimes be a difficult balancing act.

fatlazyless · 09-10-2009, 11:52 AM

Fo an up-close look at the Lake Winnipesaukee outflow take a drive over to the new Walgreen's. Over in Laconia, the now under construction Walgreen's store & pharmacy has a very nice parking lot out in back. New pavement, granite curbs, grass,,,,good design and construction.....and it fronts for maybe 200' directly on the Winnipesaukee River which is the outflow for Lake Winnipesaukee as it outflows toward Lake Winnisquam.

Gazing into the medium slow moving water yesterday there were some small schools of bait fish and sunfish swimming around, across the grassy, sandy bottom.

Most of the industrial debris like old pipes and concrete blocks have been removed. An ancient 100-year old rotten wood dock which abuts the Walgreen p-lot still remains.

The outflow current looked pretty slow compared to June & July. The Walgreen's Laconia parking lot:: a good spot to drop a fishing line or launch a kayak or fill a prescription. Pssst....keep it quiet!

And, right next door to Walgreen's, directly on the Winnipesaukee River, and sharing the same parking lot is the large and over-flowing Salvation Army second-hand store. You could probably buy an old fishing rod & reel in there for two dollars, walk out the door, and catch either a smallie or a salmon in the Winnipesaukee River.

Will Walgreen's be selling worms?

RI Swamp Yankee · 09-10-2009, 12:43 PM

Maybe this issue should be addressed by members of the "Lake Owners Association" and they can vote on what the lake level should be on a given day. Perhaps there are people that have purchased recently (within the last 10 years) and they were not given due notice as to what level the lake would be at certain times of the year.

9-10-09 Lake Level 503.26 Full Lake 504.32
http://des.nh.gov/organization/divis.../graph2009.jpg

...

RI Swamp Yankee · 09-10-2009, 12:47 PM

From Bizer: http://www.bizer.com/bztnews.htm

2009 Actual Deviation Outflow at
Date Height from Norm Lakeport Dam
----- ---- --.-- TEMP ---- ---
07/02 Thu 4.35 + .20 68 1684 CFS
07/09 Thu 4.49 + .40 67 1587 CFS
07/16 Thu 4.15 + .03 70 1331 CFS
07/23 Thu 4.03 +0.00 71 1010 CFS
07/30 Thu 4.33 + .39 72 1020 CFS
08/06 Thu 4.36 + .50 74 1557 CFS
08/13 Thu 4.07 + .23 73 1532 CFS
08/20 Thu 3.70 - .04 77 1085 CFS
08/23 Sun 3.66 - .01 77 1082 CFS
08/30 Sun 3.57 - .03 71 985 CFS
09/03 Thu 3.45 - .09 70 995 CFS
09/10 Thu 3.26 - .17 69 642 CFS

Pineedles · 09-10-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RI Swamp Yankee

Maybe this issue should be addressed by members of the "Lake Owners Association" and they can vote on what the lake level should be on a given day. Perhaps there are people that have purchased recently (within the last 10 years) and they were not given due notice as to what level the lake would be at certain times of the year.

9-10-09 Lake Level 503.26 Full Lake 504.32
http://des.nh.gov/organization/divis.../graph2009.jpg

...

A bit of sarcasm in the title but,..... I doubt they would let non-resident owners vote on anything.

RI Swamp Yankee · 09-10-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineedles

A bit of sarcasm in the title but,..... I doubt they would let non-resident owners vote on anything.

Awww ... darn ....

Pineedles · 09-11-2009, 07:15 PM

It is a crying shame, but it is what it is.

travaler18 · 09-11-2009, 08:35 PM

see if this clears things up and gives some a name to complain to.Somehow I dont think they will be to concerned about the boat bottoms.

http://www.broadviewcondos.com/WaterLevel1.htm According to Steve Doyan of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the fall 2001 Lake Winnipesaukee water level has been at the lowest level on record since 1965. Mr. Doyan is the person who is officially responsible for control of the the lake water level.

Control of the Lakeport dam that maintains the lake water level was transferred from PSNH to the state in 1958. Certain covenants require that a constant lake outflow of 250 cubic feet per minute be maintained but maintenance of a certain Lake water level is not part of that covenant. The covenant's mandate is only for maintenance of a sustained outflow.

Certain Broadview owners have had their boats subject to damage due to these extremely low water levels. One boat suffered from a punctured hull while at it's slip and was sunk.

All boat owners are strongly encouraged to monitor lake water levels in an attempt to prevent similar damage.

For more information contact:

click here Steve Doyon
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
6 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-1966
email: sdoyon@des.state.nh.us

TomC · 09-12-2009, 03:48 AM

that site (Broadview) was last updated 7 years ago and the most recent data on the graph is from 2001. At this time, the lake is not at the lowest level since 1965... In fact, again, the level is normal for this time of year.

trfour · 09-12-2009, 03:18 PM

the guy that took his town to court for building the sidewalks too close to his butt.

He didn't win either!

travaler18 · 09-12-2009, 04:07 PM

[QUOTE=TomC;105972]that site (Broadview) was last updated 7 years ago and the most recent data on the graph is from 2001. At this time, the lake is not at the lowest level since 1965... In fact, again, the level is normal for this time of year.[/QUOTE I agree TomC ,The levels are around normal as per historical data,but there are discrepancies,I too have seen the weirs channel ruler and it showed the water down at least a foot and a half unless I saw it wrong,but , The info I was trying to emphisize was the fact that water levels are controled for higher purposes then boating enjoyment and shoreline property inconveniances.Below is the paragragh I was referring to.
Control of the Lakeport dam that maintains the lake water level was transferred from PSNH to the state in 1958. Certain covenants require that a constant lake outflow of 250 cubic feet per minute be maintained but maintenance of a certain Lake water level is not part of that covenant. The covenant's mandate is only for maintenance of a sustained outflow.

09-08-2009, 11:01 PM	#1
Cobalt Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 130 Thanks: 70 Thanked 33 Times in 25 Posts	Maybe time for a new normal The lake has been lowered at a rate approaching and exceeding 1000 cfs over the last few weeks to reach this "normal level". What is so critical about lowering the level one foot by Labor Day? Maybe, the dam operator or operators, who maintained the lake level at boater friendly levels most of the season, can explain. Would an October 1 date work for the lower level? It certainly would extend the boating season, and help out the local economy. Thanks in advance.

09-09-2009, 01:08 AM	#3
thebix Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Down since 2009. Posts: 101 Thanks: 2 Thanked 34 Times in 25 Posts	Too Low? Be glad for what you have! Take a look at Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford / Franklin counties, Virginia. This is 'Lake Winni, south'. Remember the Bill Murray / Richard Dreyfuss 1991 movie, 'What About Bob'? Takes place on Lake Winni, but actually filmed at SML. I've spent the last 8 summers there. It's a pumped storage hydro power project, build and run by the electric power company. Their permit requires a certain water flow downstream, even if drought conditions result in less water entering the lake. So in the southwest Virginia droughts of 2007 and 2008 the levels dropped by the end of the summer (into October, summer lasts longer there!) 3-4 feet! Had to set the boat lift on the bottom to get the boat off. And hope the level didn't drop too much while we were out. And when there is demand for hydro power the level can drop a foot during the day! (HOT July weekends, 90+, create huge electric demands). The pumped storage part refills the lake overnight, so Sunday AM the level is almost back to the Saturday AM level. So a day-to-day fluctuation of a foot or more is common! See this link to the water levels: http://www.smithmountainlakelevel.com/SMLLevelWeb.exe Change the first date to 2006 and see how it dropped 3-4 feet from full pond in past years. 2009 has been kinder. Then set the dates for say Sept 5 - 9, and see how it fluctuates up to a foot in one day.

09-13-2009, 06:51 PM	#5
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,547 Thanks: 1,073 Thanked 668 Times in 367 Posts	Virginia, right? I assume you mean the SML in Virginia. It does look a lot like Winni., except for the higher mountain profile. Perhaps NH should try to get more filming done on Winni rather than subbing out to other states.

09-15-2009, 11:15 PM	#7
HUH Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 230 Thanks: 21 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	Normal 43 years on the lake, same frontage and small beach.. This is quite normal and will go lower. Not sure exactly what there is to fight? Mother nature ALWAYS wins.. compensate

09-16-2009, 11:37 AM	#10
White Rook Deceased Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Salem NH Posts: 101 Thanks: 51 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Alton Bay Webcam Hello All, Browsing through the webcams this morning, I got that "Whoa!" feeling when I saw the Alton webcam. Looking at the rocks that the dock rests on, it looks like the lake level dropped quite a bit in a short time period. I usually look at the webcams every day or every other day. Today was the first that I saw a significant drop __________________ "Checkmate King II ... This Is White Rook .... Over"

09-08-2009, 11:20 PM	#2
KonaChick Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 518 Thanks: 19 Thanked 62 Times in 15 Posts	Husband was just bellyachin' about the same thing over the weekend! I think they should wait a few more weeks too.....

09-16-2009, 02:35 PM	#11
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,774 Thanks: 755 Thanked 1,464 Times in 1,020 Posts	I agree, White Rock. I , too, suddenly realized yesterday and thought the same thing! Whoa!, When did that happen. And I have BEEN here!

09-16-2009, 09:13 PM	#13
KPW Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 398 Thanks: 737 Thanked 118 Times in 59 Posts	Downstream? Do they need to provide a certain amount of water for the people downstream?

09-18-2009, 11:35 AM	#15
knowit Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mirror Lake NH Posts: 107 Thanks: 2 Thanked 28 Times in 21 Posts	Quote from LI "If you want to change things you need to convince the dam people that if the lake stays up for 2 or 3 more weeks, that they will have the time to shed all the water, and any additional water that may accumulate to reach there goals later in the year." I really don't think we need to resort to name calling. I am sure the people that run the water flow control structure are very nice people. HAHAHAHAHAHHA sorry, couldn't resist! PS I agree that they should probably wait until after Columbus day or so.

09-18-2009, 03:37 PM	#17
knowit Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mirror Lake NH Posts: 107 Thanks: 2 Thanked 28 Times in 21 Posts	exactly what I was thinking about!

09-09-2009, 07:43 AM	#19
Winnipesaukee Divers Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Exeter, NH or @ WCYC on weekends Posts: 250 Thanks: 7 Thanked 46 Times in 28 Posts	Just how low is it?? After watching the lake level drop so much in the past couple of weeks, I decided to have my boat pulled a week early this year. I weight 18,000 lbs and draft 5 feet and we have a 30 ton crane at the club which can lift me easily at short distances. When I came into our usual lifting spot I ran a ground about five feet out, the boys at the club struggle and struggled to lift the boat and at one point had the rear outriggers completely off the ground. They had to re-set the crane three times and drag the boat over the bottom until they got it close enough to lift. That was five hours for three men to to get one boat out. We have been hauling this boat out in the same spot, with the same equipment for ten years now and never had as much trouble as we had yesterday. So, don't tell me the lake is at it's normal depth... Had I known it was going to be this much hassle I would have had it hauled two weeks ago. BTW: They have two more big boats like mine to get out, but the owner want to stay in a couple more weeks for some fine fall sailing... If we don't get a major storm in the next few weeks it looks like they be wintering over in the lake again this year.

09-10-2009, 07:31 AM	#21
Fishy Cover Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 134 Thanks: 10 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Global Warming Definitely caused by global warming

09-10-2009, 11:52 AM	#25
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,796 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 301 Thanked 1,026 Times in 746 Posts	Fo an up-close look at the Lake Winnipesaukee outflow take a drive over to the new Walgreen's. Over in Laconia, the now under construction Walgreen's store & pharmacy has a very nice parking lot out in back. New pavement, granite curbs, grass,,,,good design and construction.....and it fronts for maybe 200' directly on the Winnipesaukee River which is the outflow for Lake Winnipesaukee as it outflows toward Lake Winnisquam. Gazing into the medium slow moving water yesterday there were some small schools of bait fish and sunfish swimming around, across the grassy, sandy bottom. Most of the industrial debris like old pipes and concrete blocks have been removed. An ancient 100-year old rotten wood dock which abuts the Walgreen p-lot still remains. The outflow current looked pretty slow compared to June & July. The Walgreen's Laconia parking lot:: a good spot to drop a fishing line or launch a kayak or fill a prescription. Pssst....keep it quiet! And, right next door to Walgreen's, directly on the Winnipesaukee River, and sharing the same parking lot is the large and over-flowing Salvation Army second-hand store. You could probably buy an old fishing rod & reel in there for two dollars, walk out the door, and catch either a smallie or a salmon in the Winnipesaukee River. Will Walgreen's be selling worms? __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

09-10-2009, 12:43 PM	#26
RI Swamp Yankee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: North Kingstown RI Posts: 688 Thanks: 143 Thanked 83 Times in 55 Posts	Maybe this issue should be addressed by members of the "Lake Owners Association" and they can vote on what the lake level should be on a given day. Perhaps there are people that have purchased recently (within the last 10 years) and they were not given due notice as to what level the lake would be at certain times of the year. 9-10-09 Lake Level 503.26 Full Lake 504.32 http://des.nh.gov/organization/divis.../graph2009.jpg ... __________________ Gene ~ aka "another RI Swamp Yankee"

09-10-2009, 12:47 PM	#27
RI Swamp Yankee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: North Kingstown RI Posts: 688 Thanks: 143 Thanked 83 Times in 55 Posts	From Bizer: http://www.bizer.com/bztnews.htm 2009 Actual Deviation Outflow at Date Height from Norm Lakeport Dam ----- ---- --.-- TEMP ---- --- 07/02 Thu 4.35 + .20 68 1684 CFS 07/09 Thu 4.49 + .40 67 1587 CFS 07/16 Thu 4.15 + .03 70 1331 CFS 07/23 Thu 4.03 +0.00 71 1010 CFS 07/30 Thu 4.33 + .39 72 1020 CFS 08/06 Thu 4.36 + .50 74 1557 CFS 08/13 Thu 4.07 + .23 73 1532 CFS 08/20 Thu 3.70 - .04 77 1085 CFS 08/23 Sun 3.66 - .01 77 1082 CFS 08/30 Sun 3.57 - .03 71 985 CFS 09/03 Thu 3.45 - .09 70 995 CFS 09/10 Thu 3.26 - .17 69 642 CFS __________________ Gene ~ aka "another RI Swamp Yankee"

09-11-2009, 07:15 PM	#30
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,547 Thanks: 1,073 Thanked 668 Times in 367 Posts	No vote It is a crying shame, but it is what it is.

09-11-2009, 08:35 PM	#31
travaler18 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	answer to lake levels see if this clears things up and gives some a name to complain to.Somehow I dont think they will be to concerned about the boat bottoms. http://www.broadviewcondos.com/WaterLevel1.htm According to Steve Doyan of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the fall 2001 Lake Winnipesaukee water level has been at the lowest level on record since 1965. Mr. Doyan is the person who is officially responsible for control of the the lake water level. Control of the Lakeport dam that maintains the lake water level was transferred from PSNH to the state in 1958. Certain covenants require that a constant lake outflow of 250 cubic feet per minute be maintained but maintenance of a certain Lake water level is not part of that covenant. The covenant's mandate is only for maintenance of a sustained outflow. Certain Broadview owners have had their boats subject to damage due to these extremely low water levels. One boat suffered from a punctured hull while at it's slip and was sunk. All boat owners are strongly encouraged to monitor lake water levels in an attempt to prevent similar damage. For more information contact: click here Steve Doyon New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services 6 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03301 603-271-1966 email: sdoyon@des.state.nh.us

09-12-2009, 03:48 AM	#32
TomC Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 706 Thanks: 24 Thanked 106 Times in 72 Posts	2002? that site (Broadview) was last updated 7 years ago and the most recent data on the graph is from 2001. At this time, the lake is not at the lowest level since 1965... In fact, again, the level is normal for this time of year.

09-12-2009, 03:18 PM	#33
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	... Reminds Me About.... the guy that took his town to court for building the sidewalks too close to his butt. He didn't win either! __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

09-12-2009, 04:07 PM	#34
travaler18 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	clearing up my piont [QUOTE=TomC;105972]that site (Broadview) was last updated 7 years ago and the most recent data on the graph is from 2001. At this time, the lake is not at the lowest level since 1965... In fact, again, the level is normal for this time of year.[/QUOTE I agree TomC ,The levels are around normal as per historical data,but there are discrepancies,I too have seen the weirs channel ruler and it showed the water down at least a foot and a half unless I saw it wrong,but , The info I was trying to emphisize was the fact that water levels are controled for higher purposes then boating enjoyment and shoreline property inconveniances.Below is the paragragh I was referring to. Control of the Lakeport dam that maintains the lake water level was transferred from PSNH to the state in 1958. Certain covenants require that a constant lake outflow of 250 cubic feet per minute be maintained but maintenance of a certain Lake water level is not part of that covenant. The covenant's mandate is only for maintenance of a sustained outflow.