How Low Can You Go....

Phantom · 08-24-2016, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by znh

Exiting our marina is getting very, very low. 16-18 inches low. At least it's really soft sand and nothing else but someone said a boat got stuck the other day. I wonder if we could dig it deeper

Don't know where your located but I know Lakeshore Park's Marina entrance (under the walk bridge) is routinely dredged and they have plans to dredge it again within the next few weeks (so I'm told).

The entrance channel is constantly "choked" due to shifting sand from their vast beach area as well as nearby Ellacoya State Park

.

Pricestavern · 08-24-2016, 11:05 AM

Based on the chart, we're currently tied for the third lowest level for this time of year (over the last 16 years). I'd say that's pretty abnormal.

znh · 08-24-2016, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom

Don't know where your located but I know Lakeshore Park's Marina entrance (under the walk bridge) is routinely dredged and they have plans to dredge it again within the next few weeks (so I'm told).

The entrance channel is constantly "choked" due to shifting sand from their vast beach area as well as nearby Ellacoya State Park

.

This is where it's at. Need to be dredged something bad. Lots of boats getting stuck. Lot of strong wind days blowing right into the beach there probably bring more sand to that area, plus the lack of rain...

Can the State stop the flow out of the dam at all to let the lake come up? Has this ever happened?

Onshore · 08-24-2016, 12:15 PM

The outflow volume of Winnipesaukee cannot be reduced below a certain minimum level. There needs to be enough flow in the rivers downstream to provide aquatic habitat, address downstream owners water rights, and to accommodate outflows from wastewater treatment facilities.

CaptT820 · 08-26-2016, 12:33 PM

According to the NHDES watershed operations website, the lake level at the Lakeport Dam was at El. 503.23, only 0.13 feet (1 1/2") above typical autumn levels as of 5am this morning (8-26-2016). I think I may have to lower the dock a bit for the rest of the season, if the weather doesn't change soon.

rsmlp · 08-26-2016, 12:59 PM

So I just heard that the Sophie C ran aground somewhere near Loon island but I cannot confirm this. Has anyone heard anything?

SIKSUKR · 08-26-2016, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsmlp

So I just heard that the Sophie C ran aground somewhere near Loon island but I cannot confirm this. Has anyone heard anything?

The MV Mt Sunapee ran "aground" also. Actually got stuck on an unmarked snowmaking intake pipe located 300 feet offshore.

Bear Islander · 09-13-2016, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsmlp

So I just heard that the Sophie C ran aground somewhere near Loon island but I cannot confirm this. Has anyone heard anything?

The Sophie C. grounded on a rock August 26 while approaching Loon Island. It was a combination of low lake level and the Sophie not following the deepest part of the channel.

salty dog · 09-13-2016, 02:17 PM

We were up and out for several hours yesterday. It may have been one of our best boating days of the summer. We didn't want to come back! Minge Cove was very low, even lower than when we were there one week ago. Even trimmed up, I still hit mud in several spots. There was talk at the marina that it was possible the level may be dropped another 6 inches although I've read here in other comments that they probably wouldn't at this time. That would be the end for me as well as many other boaters, I'm sure.

LIforrelaxin · 09-13-2016, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salty dog

We were up and out for several hours yesterday. It may have been one of our best boating days of the summer. We didn't want to come back! Minge Cove was very low, even lower than when we were there one week ago. Even trimmed up, I still hit mud in several spots. There was talk at the marina that it was possible the level may be dropped another 6 inches although I've read here in other comments that they probably wouldn't at this time. That would be the end for me as well as many other boaters, I'm sure.

Unless we get rain, the lake is going to continue to drop... 6 inches maybe more... The only reprieve will be in Oct. when they annually slow the flow to enable work down stream to take place on various dams etc. However given the state of things this may not need to happen this year, and it maybe more important to keep the flow where it is at, to insure adequate water down stream....

Phantom · 09-13-2016, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

The only reprieve will be in Oct. when they annually slow the flow to enable work down stream to take place on various dams etc. However given the state of things this may not need to happen this year, ....

There is no way that they will slow the flow ..... we come up through Manchester every week and we can see rocks & shoreline we never knew existed in the Merrimack River.

Normally it's a Rapids under the bridge, now simply boulders with very little tranquil water passing.

.

feb · 09-13-2016, 04:52 PM

I believe this is the year, usually even years, that Winnisquam and bodies of water further downstream get extra low for a 2 week period around Columbus Day as well.

Blue Thunder · 09-14-2016, 06:52 AM

Just to give you a perspective, Sebago Lake is 40 inches (3.3') below "full pond" as of this morning. We are approaching peak "Prop and Outdrive" season......

BT

Greene's Basin Girl · 09-14-2016, 11:22 AM

A friend of mine told me that six boats have hit rocks when going through the Graveyard. Apparently the markers have shifted. I am glad that we always avoid the Graveyard by going around the island next to it.

8gv · 09-14-2016, 12:29 PM

Where is the "Graveyard"? Is there a charted bouy for reference?

SAB1 · 09-14-2016, 12:35 PM

Tuftonboro just north of Chases Point and south of Melvin Bay.

Rich · 09-14-2016, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

Where is the "Graveyard"? Is there a charted bouy for reference?

You can see it here:
https://webapp.navionics.com/?lang=e...key=ahmiGbcerL

acg123 · 09-19-2016, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Just to give you a perspective, Sebago Lake is 40 inches (3.3') below "full pond" as of this morning. We are approaching peak "Prop and Outdrive" season......

BT

Are you sure? Here's the Portland Water District reading:

http://www.pwd.org/lake/level.php?mode=table&year=2016

Island Girl · 09-19-2016, 07:18 PM

Friday at 5 PM the lake was at 502.78, today at 5 PM it was at 502.79.

The chart on DES' site was moved. I have fixed the link to the new location. Click Here for all sorts of links about the lake. The list at the right of the page will keep you busy for a long time.

Happy Reading
Island Girl

Descant · 08-26-2016, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by znh

Can the State stop the flow out of the dam at all to let the lake come up? Has this ever happened?

They can't stop the outflow completely, but on rare occasions the Lakeport Dam has been raised to use Lake Winnipesaukee as a storage area to prevent flooding downstream. Those are the times when we have a headway speed limit on the entire lake until the level can be brought down safely.
From a purely selfish point of view, I'd like to see full lake on August 1st instead of sometime in the spring. That hopefully would mean we get a full boating season through Columbus Day. I spoke to the state dam manager about this years ago. At the time, the DES concept was that boating ended on Labor Day. They have been doing a much better job of keeping us going in the fall over the last several years, but sometimes there aren't many choices.

08-24-2016, 11:05 AM	#2
Pricestavern Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Valencia, Spain (formerly Rattlesnake Isle) Posts: 389 Thanks: 135 Thanked 142 Times in 82 Posts	Tied for Third Based on the chart, we're currently tied for the third lowest level for this time of year (over the last 16 years). I'd say that's pretty abnormal.

08-26-2016, 12:33 PM	#5
CaptT820 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 122 Thanks: 86 Thanked 46 Times in 27 Posts	Current Level According to the NHDES watershed operations website, the lake level at the Lakeport Dam was at El. 503.23, only 0.13 feet (1 1/2") above typical autumn levels as of 5am this morning (8-26-2016). I think I may have to lower the dock a bit for the rest of the season, if the weather doesn't change soon.

08-26-2016, 12:59 PM	#6
rsmlp Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 495 Thanks: 5 Thanked 169 Times in 87 Posts	Sophie C So I just heard that the Sophie C ran aground somewhere near Loon island but I cannot confirm this. Has anyone heard anything?

09-13-2016, 02:17 PM	#9
salty dog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Beverly Cove, Ma Posts: 359 Thanks: 288 Thanked 148 Times in 82 Posts	We were up and out for several hours yesterday. It may have been one of our best boating days of the summer. We didn't want to come back! Minge Cove was very low, even lower than when we were there one week ago. Even trimmed up, I still hit mud in several spots. There was talk at the marina that it was possible the level may be dropped another 6 inches although I've read here in other comments that they probably wouldn't at this time. That would be the end for me as well as many other boaters, I'm sure. __________________ I'd rather be relax'n at Winnipesaukee

09-13-2016, 04:52 PM	#12
feb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith (Winnisquam) & Nashua, NH Posts: 215 Thanks: 25 Thanked 20 Times in 17 Posts	Even Year I believe this is the year, usually even years, that Winnisquam and bodies of water further downstream get extra low for a 2 week period around Columbus Day as well.

08-24-2016, 12:15 PM	#4
Onshore Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 503 Thanks: 12 Thanked 425 Times in 146 Posts	The outflow volume of Winnipesaukee cannot be reduced below a certain minimum level. There needs to be enough flow in the rivers downstream to provide aquatic habitat, address downstream owners water rights, and to accommodate outflows from wastewater treatment facilities.

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Onshore For This Useful Post:
Barney Bear (09-20-2016), LIforrelaxin (08-25-2016), znh (08-24-2016)

The Following User Says Thank You to Bear Islander For This Useful Post:
WoNHUSA (09-18-2016)

09-14-2016, 06:52 AM	#13
Blue Thunder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Eastern MA & Frye Island/Sebago Lake, Maine Posts: 952 Thanks: 256 Thanked 351 Times in 158 Posts	Just to give you a perspective, Sebago Lake is 40 inches (3.3') below "full pond" as of this morning. We are approaching peak "Prop and Outdrive" season...... BT __________________ " Live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come"

The Following User Says Thank You to Blue Thunder For This Useful Post:
CaptT820 (09-14-2016)

09-14-2016, 11:22 AM	#14
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	A friend of mine told me that six boats have hit rocks when going through the Graveyard. Apparently the markers have shifted. I am glad that we always avoid the Graveyard by going around the island next to it.

The Following User Says Thank You to Greene's Basin Girl For This Useful Post:
fanfig77200 (09-17-2016)

09-14-2016, 12:29 PM	#15
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,121 Thanks: 64 Thanked 751 Times in 485 Posts	Where is the "Graveyard"? Is there a charted bouy for reference?

09-14-2016, 12:35 PM	#16
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,251 Thanks: 193 Thanked 334 Times in 242 Posts	Tuftonboro just north of Chases Point and south of Melvin Bay.

09-19-2016, 07:18 PM	#19
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,356 Thanks: 18 Thanked 574 Times in 181 Posts	No Change in Lake level since Friday Friday at 5 PM the lake was at 502.78, today at 5 PM it was at 502.79. The chart on DES' site was moved. I have fixed the link to the new location. Click Here for all sorts of links about the lake. The list at the right of the page will keep you busy for a long time. Happy Reading Island Girl __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade