Lake Level

smith point boater · 04-02-2018, 02:03 PM

Anyone else concerned the lake level has not really started to rise. No where near 2016/2017 years levels at this time

jeffk · 04-02-2018, 02:49 PM

April showers are on the way!

Plus, it appears that they have recently cut the Lakeport Dam output by about half.

The water level rises rapidly at this time of year.

Descant · 04-03-2018, 03:55 PM

It's a tricky call. We don't want high water levels until after ice out. Then we want full lake the next day so debris will blow to shore. Then we want it to drop a little so the debris will stay onshore.

upthesaukee · 04-03-2018, 04:30 PM

From the DES website:

https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/.../graph2018.jpg

Dave

Eyeboat · 04-04-2018, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

From the DES website:

https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/.../graph2018.jpg

Dave

Great graph

ishoot308 · 04-04-2018, 09:07 AM

With the spring rain coming as well as snow melt and dam output lowered, the lake should rise nicely!!

Dan

Ms Molly McKever · 04-21-2018, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

With the spring rain coming as well as snow melt and dam output lowered, the lake should rise nicely!!

Dan

How much higher is the lake today 4/21/18 compared to august ?

upthesaukee · 04-21-2018, 10:10 AM

On the 19th, lake level was 503.99, or just under 4 inches below full lake.

The Bizer chart shown at the start of this thread has August 2017 levels just under 504.00 with a little bump over that mark early in the month, and then falling steadily, but slowly below 504.00.

Dave

Descant · 04-21-2018, 08:29 PM

I wish the goal was for full lake on July 31 instead of sometime in June so that we could have full boating until mod-October. I know this is a tricky calculation based on watershed saturation, predicted rainfall, down stream needs,. etc, but Winnipesaukee is a major economic engine for the state, and not being able to do full boating in the time between Labor Day and Columbus Day is a huge economic problem. The dam bureau has improved over the last 10-15 years and I appreciate that, but another inch or two of water in August would be a big help. (Yes, I have communicated this directly to DES and I thank the dam bureau chief for improvements).

Tpaskell03254 · 05-01-2018, 09:22 AM

Hello all, How are the lake levels looking? does everyone think it will reach full level soon? i heard it could be looking like a tough year water level wise, i haven't been up much yet to our place yet. Just looking to get everyones thoughts.
Tyler

ishoot308 · 05-01-2018, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tpaskell03254

Hello all, How are the lake levels looking? does everyone think it will reach full level soon? i heard it could be looking like a tough year water level wise, i haven't been up much yet to our place yet. Just looking to get everyones thoughts.
Tyler

Huh? Its already ABOVE full lake.

Dan

joey2665 · 05-01-2018, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tpaskell03254

Hello all, How are the lake levels looking? does everyone think it will reach full level soon? i heard it could be looking like a tough year water level wise, i haven't been up much yet to our place yet. Just looking to get everyones thoughts.
Tyler

Old Sarge started a thread on 4/29 reporting the lake is already above full. Not sure why you were told it is going to be a tough year water level wise but that would not be correct. See below

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...ferrerid=10543

jeffk · 05-01-2018, 09:53 AM

Note also that they increased the Lakeport outflow, from around 300 cfs to 650 cfs, about 10 days ago to start to level it off and not get too high. They can dump water a lot faster if it becomes necessary.

More rain expected Thursday and Friday (maybe 3/4 inch) and then drier for a while.

With careful management, I think we are off to a good start.

steve-on-mark · 05-01-2018, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tpaskell03254

Hello all, How are the lake levels looking? does everyone think it will reach full level soon? i heard it could be looking like a tough year water level wise, i haven't been up much yet to our place yet. Just looking to get everyones thoughts.
Tyler

Right now the level is up to the bottom of my dock framing, which for me is perfect.

Sent from my [device_name] using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

joey2665 · 05-01-2018, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffk

Note also that they increased the Lakeport outflow, from around 300 cfs to 650 cfs, about 10 days ago to start to level it off and not get too high. They can dump water a lot faster if it becomes necessary.

More rain expected Thursday and Friday (maybe 3/4 inch) and then drier for a while.

With careful management, I think we are off to a good start.

I agree and I also think they do a excellent job managing the levels every year

ishoot308 · 05-01-2018, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joey2665

I agree and I also think they do a excellent job managing the levels every year

Where's that thanks button!

Dan

joey2665 · 05-01-2018, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Where's that thanks button!

Dan

Exactly. It really did come in handy.

smith point boater · 05-02-2018, 06:08 AM

I was traveling for 12 days. When I left (mid April) the lake was still 10-12" below full. When I got back - voila - the lake was full. Great job by the dam controllers

BoatHouse · 05-03-2018, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smith point boater

I was traveling for 12 days. When I left (mid April) the lake was still 10-12" below full. When I got back - voila - the lake was full. Great job by the dam controllers

I think you mean Dam good job!

Phantom · 05-07-2018, 06:21 AM

Lake is at "Normal Full Lake Level" ... this was taken on Saturday morning

.

04-02-2018, 02:03 PM	#1
smith point boater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Alton,NH Posts: 212 Thanks: 336 Thanked 97 Times in 56 Posts	Lake Level Anyone else concerned the lake level has not really started to rise. No where near 2016/2017 years levels at this time Attached Images

04-03-2018, 04:30 PM	#4
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,600 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,462 Thanked 1,983 Times in 1,083 Posts	And from DES From the DES website: https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/.../graph2018.jpg Dave __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

04-04-2018, 09:07 AM	#6
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,281 Thanks: 2,401 Thanked 5,290 Times in 2,061 Posts	With the spring rain coming as well as snow melt and dam output lowered, the lake should rise nicely!! Dan __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

04-21-2018, 10:10 AM	#8
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,600 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,462 Thanked 1,983 Times in 1,083 Posts	On the 19th On the 19th, lake level was 503.99, or just under 4 inches below full lake. The Bizer chart shown at the start of this thread has August 2017 levels just under 504.00 with a little bump over that mark early in the month, and then falling steadily, but slowly below 504.00. Dave __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

05-01-2018, 09:22 AM	#10
Tpaskell03254 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 3 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Water level on May 1 Hello all, How are the lake levels looking? does everyone think it will reach full level soon? i heard it could be looking like a tough year water level wise, i haven't been up much yet to our place yet. Just looking to get everyones thoughts. Tyler

04-02-2018, 02:49 PM	#2
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,172 Thanks: 206 Thanked 437 Times in 253 Posts	April showers are on the way! Plus, it appears that they have recently cut the Lakeport Dam output by about half. The water level rises rapidly at this time of year.

04-03-2018, 03:55 PM	#3
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,378 Thanks: 1,353 Thanked 1,628 Times in 1,060 Posts	It's a tricky call. We don't want high water levels until after ice out. Then we want full lake the next day so debris will blow to shore. Then we want it to drop a little so the debris will stay onshore.

04-21-2018, 08:29 PM	#9
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,378 Thanks: 1,353 Thanked 1,628 Times in 1,060 Posts	I wish the goal was for full lake on July 31 instead of sometime in June so that we could have full boating until mod-October. I know this is a tricky calculation based on watershed saturation, predicted rainfall, down stream needs,. etc, but Winnipesaukee is a major economic engine for the state, and not being able to do full boating in the time between Labor Day and Columbus Day is a huge economic problem. The dam bureau has improved over the last 10-15 years and I appreciate that, but another inch or two of water in August would be a big help. (Yes, I have communicated this directly to DES and I thank the dam bureau chief for improvements).

05-01-2018, 09:53 AM	#13
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,172 Thanks: 206 Thanked 437 Times in 253 Posts	Note also that they increased the Lakeport outflow, from around 300 cfs to 650 cfs, about 10 days ago to start to level it off and not get too high. They can dump water a lot faster if it becomes necessary. More rain expected Thursday and Friday (maybe 3/4 inch) and then drier for a while. With careful management, I think we are off to a good start.

05-02-2018, 06:08 AM	#18
smith point boater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Alton,NH Posts: 212 Thanks: 336 Thanked 97 Times in 56 Posts	Full lake I was traveling for 12 days. When I left (mid April) the lake was still 10-12" below full. When I got back - voila - the lake was full. Great job by the dam controllers

05-07-2018, 06:21 AM	#20
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	Lake is at "Normal Full Lake Level" ... this was taken on Saturday morning . Attached Images __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*