Watch the water level...

[6meter]

Originally Posted by pcmc

Question for, anyone smarter than a fifth grader? Why do the waves appear move so slow, when they are said to be traveling at 500mph across the ocean? I realize in the video, its slightly sheltered inland, but still.

I think it's because when it hits shallow water it slows wayyyy down.

[pcmc]

I don't know this for sure, but can only imagine, its more a shock wave, that travels across the open ocean and runs aground as it comes a shore, slowing it down as you mentioned.
(well it sounds good anyway)

[This'nThat]

is, well, elevated. The lake level has increased by more than a foot in the past couple weeks. We are well outside the standard deviation for this time of year (standard deviation = means that this happens only once or twice every decade, even though the last time was in 2010). A big rainstorm on top of sudden warm weather will push us well over the top. Although we have a ways to go yet to a full lake (another 1/2 foot to go from today's 503.77' to 504.32'), we need to keep an eye on this.

[Bear247]

Originally Posted by This'nThat

is, well, elevated. The lake level has increased by more than a foot in the past couple weeks. We are well outside the standard deviation for this time of year (standard deviation = means that this happens only once or twice every decade, even though the last time was in 2010). A big rainstorm on top of sudden warm weather will push us well over the top. Although we have a ways to go yet to a full lake (another 1/2 foot to go from today's 503.77' to 504.32'), we need to keep an eye on this.

Say What????????

[Lakegeezer]

It would be nice to see some more transparency from the dam operator. What is their strategy? What are the constraints? Why isn't the outflow at emergency levels to strive for average levels?

There were four floods since 2000 (defined as Winnipesaukee level over 505 feet above sea level). This was a big snow year. There is still a lot of water in the watersheds. To have the lake this high, which is the second highest in recent history for this date, is scary. The NH DES snowpack reports seem to be missing from the DES web site, so it is hard to compare against other flood years.

There is a lot of efforts going into improving lake water quality. A flood sets back the efforts by eroding the shoreline, adding sediment and nutriments to the lake. Mother nature is a factor here, but so is the person and policies in control of the dam. There should be some accountability at the state level to prevent the lake from flooding. As of this morning, the lake level was 503.84 (14" below flood stage) and the output was 1494 CFM. We've seen output levels at 2400 CFM, so there is room to act.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

It would be nice to see some more transparency from the dam operator. What is their strategy? What are the constraints? Why isn't the outflow at emergency levels to strive for average levels?

There were four floods since 2000 (defined as Winnipesaukee level over 505 feet above sea level). This was a big snow year. There is still a lot of water in the watersheds. To have the lake this high, which is the second highest in recent history for this date, is scary. The NH DES snowpack reports seem to be missing from the DES web site, so it is hard to compare against other flood years.

There is a lot of efforts going into improving lake water quality. A flood sets back the efforts by eroding the shoreline, adding sediment and nutriments to the lake. Mother nature is a factor here, but so is the person and policies in control of the dam. There should be some accountability at the state level to prevent the lake from flooding. As of this morning, the lake level was 503.84 (14" below flood stage) and the output was 1494 CFM. We've seen output levels at 2400 CFM, so there is room to act.

Keep in mind that there may be downstream considerations at play here. For example, I know that the Merrimack has been a bit high. Not crazy-flood high, but is flowing pretty good right now. What is happening down river might impact how they control the dam.