Low Water Level Warning...

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Barney Bear

Today's rain may help raise the level somewhat.

I guess that's what I was wondering. How much can a day of rain really affect the lake's level?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[rick35]

I can't remember what year it was but a passing hurricane brought the lake up 6 inches in one day. It was probably 20-25 years ago.

[P-3 Guy]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I guess that's what I was wondering. How much can a day of rain really affect the lake's level?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Look at the 2015 line on Bizer's Lake Level chart available here: http://www.bizer.com/

I remember well a 24 hour period of torrential rain at the end of September that year. The lake level noticeably increased substantially, and Bizer's chart shows a nearly 1 foot increase in a very short time span. Out of the norm, for sure, but it can (and did) happen.

[Barney Bear]

The big lake benefits from water runoff from the surrounding high terrain. 🏔

[ApS]

But not from "Ridge Development".

[Descant]

Originally Posted by ApS

But not from "Ridge Development".

I'm not sure hat you mean by "Ridge Development." To me, the farther back from the lake the development goes, the less vegetation and more flow into the lake. At the same time development farther back means more roads and lawns. More salt, fertilizer, oil, etc that washes into the lake.
Newfound does it right with a watershed association, not just a lake association of shorefront owners.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

The low lake sagas continue. A friend of ours who comes up every year from the Philadelphia area took his boat out yesterday.....was having a wonderful time....probably wasn’t paying close enough attention....and wham! Hit a rock, and finally some kind Welch Island dweller helped him out. One tow later, new prop, and lower unit, and $$$$$$$$$, he will be good to go. Ouch! Be careful, everyone, and thanks to the island guy who helped out...May have been one of you forum members.

[MotorHead]

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/592993

peace of mind.
Comes with low water alarm. Love it.

[Barney Bear]

When I first came to our lake many moons ago, I thought that I was told that the buoys were positioned to indicate that the water depth was about seven feet deep at their locations.

The water level this morning at East Bear Island is thirteen inches below "full". I will measure to determine if the recent rains will raise this level. Saturday night's electrical storm terrified our pups. They hid in their usual safe zones. 🐻

[upthesaukee]

At noon today, per the DES website, the lake was at 503.17, which is not quite 14 inches below full lake, measured at the Weirs. Here's a link to their website.

https://www4.des.state.nh.us/rti_data/WEIN3_TABLE.HTML

Dave

[Descant]

This late in the season, the watershed is dry and absorbs rainfall so it may take a few days for water level changes. In the spring wet watershed, a half inch of rain can bring the lake up an inch or two.

[rick35]

Originally Posted by MotorHead

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/592993

peace of mind.
Comes with low water alarm. Love it.

You mean like BEEEEP. Then BANG! My concern are rocks that are usually deep enough but not now. I have a couple of those on either side of my dock and I have to remember to trim up.

[Barney Bear]

At this time of year, I raise the outboard motor while tied to the dock. We get lots of wave and wake action at our location on East Bear Island. 🐻

[Senter Cove Guy]

My oldest granddaughter had this comment tonight:

"Why doesn't Marine Patrol undertake a project to blow up all the big underwater rocks so that boaters can go anywhere they want."

Sounds good to me!

[garysanfran]

I was boating yesterday and I think I saw Timothy Leary....Without a boat...Just kinda hoverin' around the Witches...It was weird!

LSD....Lake Side Deli? It may have been the Italian sub!

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by Senter Cove Guy

My oldest granddaughter had this comment tonight:

"Why doesn't Marine Patrol undertake a project to blow up all the big underwater rocks so that boaters can go anywhere they want."

Sounds good to me!

They could run a contest for get to push the button each time, it would be crazy popular ;-)

[Descant]

Originally Posted by Senter Cove Guy

My oldest granddaughter had this comment tonight:

"Why doesn't Marine Patrol undertake a project to blow up all the big underwater rocks so that boaters can go anywhere they want."

Sounds good to me!

My recollection is that there was an obstruction at the north end of the Hole in the Wall. Surrounded by three red buoys, and you were supposed to just go around in either direction. It was definitely a "local Knowledge" place. At some point in the 50's the area was cleared and remarked. I believe contractors used to mine the bottom at places like the Witches and use the harvest to build breakwaters. The we created DES, and now touching the bottom is tightly controlled.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by Descant

My recollection is that there was an obstruction at the north end of the Hole in the Wall. Surrounded by three red buoys, and you were supposed to just go around in either direction. It was definitely a "local Knowledge" place. At some point in the 50's the area was cleared and remarked. I believe contractors used to mine the bottom at places like the Witches and use the harvest to build breakwaters. The we created DES, and now touching the bottom is tightly controlled.

I saw an article on facebook last night about commonly asked questions regarding the islands. It stated that back in the 1800's the overall average lake level was much lower and the Witches was actually an island with trees on it. Lake levels rose over time, the soil/sand washed out and now we are left with todays rockpile.

[Mink Islander]

https://www.newenglandhistoricalsoci...operty-rights/

Some interesting history of the Lakeport dam here...

[Barney Bear]

The lake level was raised by the installation of a dam at Lakeport. I believe that prior to this, Paugus Bay was a river.

The remains of trees could be seen above the submerged island south of Timber Island. These stumps resembled eerie forms of witches.

The higher water level created Mink Island by the narrow channel between Mark and Mink which is very interesting to pass through.

The names of some of the islands have been changed over the years. 🐻

[Descant]

Originally Posted by codeman671

I saw an article on facebook last night about commonly asked questions regarding the islands. It stated that back in the 1800's the overall average lake level was much lower and the Witches was actually an island with trees on it. Lake levels rose over time, the soil/sand washed out and now we are left with todays rockpile.

Loosely summarized from "Three Centuries on Winnipesaukee", One dark night a man was rowing across the lake. At some point, he got disoriented and came to rest in an area where there were just dead trees. He hunkered down in his boat for the night when strong winds came up. Blowing through the trees, the howling made him believe he had been set upon by witches. His head cleared in the morning and that's the story he told when he arrived on shore.
Also in "Three Centuries" it is noted that Paugus Bay was really just a river until the Lakeport dam was raised flooding farmlands. The author claims you could still see a stone wall running from Little Island to the mainland when flying overhead. The dam was raised and the channel was dredged (formerly just rapids) making Paugus Bay navigable waters. Little Island used to have a two story house with a boathouse underneath, a dock and a stone jetty. Last time I went by years ago the house was mostly gone and ice movement had leveled most of the island.

[ursa minor]

Originally Posted by Barney Bear

At this time of year, I raise the outboard motor while tied to the dock. We get lots of wave and wake action at our location on East Bear Island. 🐻

We had one of those giant Carvers that looks like a high top sneaker go by our place at 25 mph and leaving a 4 plus foot wake late Saturday. I was really glad my whaler was bow out and the engine up. Cripes...

[Loub52]

Originally Posted by ursa minor

We had one of those giant Carvers that looks like a high top sneaker go by our place at 25 mph and leaving a 4 plus foot wake late Saturday. I was really glad my whaler was bow out and the engine up. Cripes...

Prior to reading your post, I’d never envisioned a Carver as a high top sneaker, but I don’t think I’ll be able to get that visual out of my head now. Definitely beware of their wake!

[Jdarby]

Originally Posted by ursa minor

We had one of those giant Carvers that looks like a high top sneaker go by our place at 25 mph and leaving a 4 plus foot wake late Saturday. I was really glad my whaler was bow out and the engine up. Cripes...

That wasn't a Carver you saw! LOL

[ursa minor]

Originally Posted by Jdarby

That wasn't a Carver you saw! LOL

LOL. I'd have no problem with the wake that's leaving.

Seriously, you can tell gas is cheap when you see the big boys up on plane. Sounded like a couple of gas big blocks, they were working hard. The boat had to have been at least 40 feet long.

[MeredithMan]

Just passing on the notice that came today from Watermark....

2nd NOTICE - 2020 Drought Continues!
We continue to experience a “Moderate” drought here in the Lakes Region
and a “Severe” drought in southern New Hampshire.

We are only inches away from the lowest Winnipesaukee
water levels recorded since 1982!!!

As of September 10th, Lake Winnipesaukee is approximately 16 inches below full and most of the other lakes in the Lakes Region are in a similar condition. The present Winnipesaukee level is “average” for November and December!

These are extremely low water conditions for this time of year and we want to make sure our customers don't end up in a bind.

IMPORTANT: For those of you with boatlifts in shallow water, you will need to consider getting the boat off the lift as soon as possible and either putting it away for the season or making other docking arrangements. PLEASE, act soon before there is an issue...

[Winilyme]

Precisely what does one do if you’re left high and dry, boat on lift, end of season?

[Descant]

Pull the boat and the lift ASAP .LOL. Hope for high water in the spring and a full lake NWZ.

[rick35]

And if you're docking at the town dock at Shep Browns make sure to trim way up. I parked about half way down the dock last night and didn't have much clearance under the prop (and my boat is small). And if big waves hit you will likely bottom out. It's time for the town to do some minor dredging as years of runoff and powering onto trailers has caused it to be seriously uneven. I need to give thanks to DPW as all the broken or missing posts have finally been replaced. If the town won't spend money on improvements they should at least keep what we have usable.

[rick35]

Originally Posted by Winilyme

Precisely what does one do if you’re left high and dry, boat on lift, end of season?

I think that happened in 2016 but I never heard how it was resolved. I remember photos of a stranded boat which I think belonged to someone who had been away and came back to the problem. And I remember hearing about a boat stuck in a boat house. WMUR covered it (low water) so there are probably some videos on YouTube.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by rick35

I think that happened in 2016 but I never heard how it was resolved. I remember photos of a stranded boat which I think belonged to someone who had been away and came back to the problem. And I remember hearing about a boat stuck in a boat house. WMUR covered it (low water) so there are probably some videos on YouTube.

We were docking at a private dock in Smith's Cove in Glendale several years ago. We went away for a week, and when we came home we were grounded. Tried to get ungrounded myself to no avail. Called Towboat US (had coverage with them) (Seatow would have done the same thing) and they slowly pulled me back and got me ungrounded. After completing the paper work, I headed to Alton Bay, tied up to the town Docks, got my trailer and pulled the boat. Season over. Very minor scratches on the bottom.

Dave

[Island Girl]

Can you post the images of the lake levels from 2000, 2001, and 2002. I think it was 2000 that the lake was extraordinarily low. I had the image somewhere but cannot find it.

Thanks
IG