Low Water Level Warning...

[MeredithMan]

...Just got an email from Watermark that they sent to all their customers advising to be wary of the low water levels. They stated in their note that we could have winter water levels before the boating season is over, and we are presently tracking to the lowest levels in 10 years. Yikes!

I believe it was 2016 that was crazy low at my dock and by the sounds of their email, this could potentially be worse.

[ishoot308]

Yes 2016 was very low!! The water level is definitely lower earlier this year. I'm sure the lack of rain has caused most of this. According to Bizer's water level chart, it is currently below the 2016 level for this time of year... http://www.bizer.com/

Dan

[garysanfran]

Yup. Near me the boaters not adhering to the 150' rule and coming too close to shore...Bing...Bong...Clunk...and an occasional BAM!

An annoyance most of the time that has become entertainment!!!

[SAB1]

Yup. 50 years of boating on the lake and I bumped for the first time. Luckily at idle speed.

[8gv]

I predict a propellor shortage.

[XCR-700]

I predict a society that craves more and bigger crisis with every passing year, and if we dont get it by natural means, the politicians and media will make it up or take a modest problem and make a catastrophe out of it.

So in that vein, I propose the following:

1, We immediately call in CNN, MSNBC, the Weather Channel, AND make the low water issue and key presidential debate item.

2, We call in Elon Musk to figure out how to build a transported machine and move one of those melting glaciers into Winnipesaukee!

Unfortunately, and like virtually every human action to fix anything, I expect item #2 to result in horrific consequences. Mutant alien DNA trapped in the ice billions of years ago will spawn new forms of life resulting in panic and further feeding into the original human need for a good crisis, OR water levels will rise several inches too high causing some docks to be too low, and making boarding the Tiki Boats a hazzard unless you wear rubber boots to go with your COVID face masks and ear and nose plugs needed to keep the urine and fecal infecting parasites in our water from entering our bodies during the overspray that will likely be encountered by the Tiki Boats due to the tidal-wave caused by the overdue major earthquake New England has been waiting for.

As for me, I am working on a self-deploying grave, so that when the end is near, I can put my fears to rest that there will be no one left alive to give me a proper burial. My design concept is simple, you simply walk down a ramp, climb into a beautifully finished casket, inside will be one big button which you press, then soft music plays, nitrous-oxide slowly induces sleep, and the lights dim, the lid closes and the unit backfills itself with pre-seeded dirt (so that grass will grow) and a headstone of your design stands up and at this point your worries are over.

No worries about no one being there to shed tears for me, I have had a good life responding to various forum threads ;-)

[Descant]

Wow? XCR-700, I didn't know you could still get LSD, but a fascinating rose colored vision.

[XCR-700]

No LSD needed, just drank too much Winnipesaukee water, or was it the Orange Freeze at Hearts Slush on the Boardwalk, could be those old biker dudes spiked it on me. Well thats what they always told us when I was a kid,,,

Either way, hope you enjoyed it, I like to think of it as a rainbow colored vision, all inclusive, not just rose colored.

Got to go back and finish up my self-deploying grave plans.

Then I was thinking of pitching an idea to Sir Richard Branson to rebuild his Island on Winnipesaukee, and starting a new reality TV series, "Celebrities Living Free" where they claim sovereignty from local laws and live like wealthy people should be aloud to live. Doing exactly what they want and constantly running afoul of the locals. It should be good for at least 3 seasons on one of the cable channels.

So many opportunities, so little time to blog about them,,,

I hope you do realize this all just for fun, no offense intended. Sometimes we all need a bit of nonsense to keep from getting dragged into a state of depression. Or maybe you dont,,,

ATB

[jbolty]

If only the coast guard was in charge....

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by jbolty

If only the coast guard was in charge....

Start

Sounds like a pitch for a competing TV show, "Coast Guard in Charge" staring Eric Estrada as "Ponch at the helm" and Paul Michael Glaser as "Starsky" and introducing Lindsay Lohan as Cmdr Striker, with Wayne Brady as seaman Smith and Toucan Sam as Pirate Bird Bill.

As bad as TV is these days, I'm sure it could be a hit.

End

[garysanfran]

I gotta take a nap...

[Descant]

This may be a low water thread, but it seems to be time for high water waders.
"Coast Guard in Charge"? Isn't that already in the Jones Act thread?
Gary is right. Time to rest up for 2nd happy hour.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Descant

This may be a low water thread, but it seems to be time for high water waders.
"Coast Guard in Charge"? Isn't that already in the Jones Act thread?
Gary is right. Time to rest up for 2nd happy hour.

Yes I think this thread went on tangent.... But Ha Ha one that is funny....

Of course XCR-700 doesn't think he is on LSD, but maybe there something in the Winni-Water that has similar effects... Like we have all been brain washed to think the Lake water is not fit to drink, when in actuality, it is cheap high that will put drug dealers, out of business thus affecting, jobs in law enforcement, the legal system, and the corrections system.....

[Phantom]

Personally -- I LOVE this time of year with low water. It gives me the great opportunity to explore the various markers and decipher if it is a true hazard i.e. Rock or simply a "safe passage" marker i.e. lower depth.

I have found numerous "safe passage" markers through the years and this becomes very helpful "in Season".

As example for those unfamiliar -- all of the water to the East of FL#1 (Black Top at Weirs) is essentially safe for 75-80% of the boats -- FL#1 is a "safe passage" marker.

Another example are the markers to Governors Bridge. When traveling East to West - all black tops are "safe passage" there are no rocks should you be inside them. Same for the Red Top at FL#43 just outside Gov Bridge.

There are many many more -- and of course there are those that DISTINCTLY mark rocks not seen when water is at standard levels - the most important ones to learn!!

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

Yes I think this thread went on tangent.... But Ha Ha one that is funny....

Of course XCR-700 doesn't think he is on LSD, but maybe there something in the Winni-Water that has similar effects... Like we have all been brain washed to think the Lake water is not fit to drink, when in actuality, it is cheap high that will put drug dealers, out of business thus affecting, jobs in law enforcement, the legal system, and the corrections system.....

Ha, I'll drink to that (lake water that is,,,)

And think of all the money I'll save at the local pubs!

I can simply sign up for a ride on the Tiki Boat and bring my own volcano bowl and ask them to stop every so often to refill it with lake water.

Brilliant.

That being the case, I'll offer to cover the cost of the ride for anyone who wants to join me, but you have to bring your own volcano bowls, with the COVID still going on, I dont think we want to be sharing straw backwash

See we can have fun on this site (sometimes) and it really doesn't hurt at all

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by Phantom

Personally -- I LOVE this time of year with low water. It gives me the great opportunity to explore the various markers and decipher if it is a true hazard i.e. Rock or simply a "safe passage" marker i.e. lower depth.

I have found numerous "safe passage" markers through the years and this becomes very helpful "in Season".

As example for those unfamiliar -- all of the water to the East of FL#1 (Black Top at Weirs) is essentially safe for 75-80% of the boats -- FL#1 is a "safe passage" marker.

Another example are the markers to Governors Bridge. When traveling East to West - all black tops are "safe passage" there are no rocks should you be inside them. Same for the Red Top at FL#43 just outside Gov Bridge.

There are many many more -- and of course there are those that DISTINCTLY mark rocks not seen when water is at standard levels - the most important ones to learn!!

The other advantage is that you can actually see the black top markers when there is a bit of white pole sticking out of the water,,,

[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

No worries about no one being there to shed tears for me, I have had a good life responding to various forum threads ;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIufLRpJYnI

[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by Descant

Gary is right. Time to rest up for 2nd happy hour.

Of the day?

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by JEEPONLY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIufLRpJYnI

LOVE the Twilight Zone!

And to serve man was a classic, GREAT choice.

but we are way

[JADAQ]

Originally Posted by 8gv

I predict a propellor shortage.

It’s already been happening since June...

Call any local marina and ask for a prop...!

You can thank all the new to boating rental people. We’ve sent out people with a new prop in the morning and some boats don’t make it a full 24hr with a new prop!!!

[rick35]

The DES lake level today is at 503.2 feet. That's the same level as the low water of 2016. We were at 503.7 on this date in 2019 and 2018. We use shep's to launch and I had trouble getting the boat on the trailer in 2016. There was a mound from all the people powering onto their trailers that was difficult to clear. It's a consideration about when closeup will be this year.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by rick35

It's a consideration about when closeup will be this year.

I've only been on the lake since '14—is it possible at this point for the lake to come back up? I remember that the level of '16 made it very difficult to get into Melvin Village Marina, so I'm wondering how much I need to plan!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I've only been on the lake since '14—is it possible at this point for the lake to come back up? I remember that the level of '16 made it very difficult to get into Melvin Village Marina, so I'm wondering how much I need to plan!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Mother Nature could decide to dump a lot of rain in early Sept but I would not base a plan on that possibility.

[Barney Bear]

Today's rain may help raise the level somewhat. 💦

[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.

[JerseyGuy]

I've already moved my lifts in Wentworth Cove back 3' into the lake which gets me only an inch or two in depth. The scale that I affixed to my dock is showing that the lake is down about 13" from full. I know from past experience that I have trouble getting on and off of the lifts at -14". I'm hoping that this rain brings it up a bit, but the ground is so dry that I fear it will absorb most of the water before it gets to the lake.

Sent from my SM-T827V using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[ishoot308]

My weather station on Welch shows we have had 1.5” of rain as of 9:30 AM. I think it’s supposed to rain all day so that should help some...

Dan

[rick35]

I finally bought a prop wrench this year. Maybe I should buy a prop too. If this is a busy year for rentals and bent props I might not be able to find one locally when I need it. My 2008 original prop doesn't have a ding in it. I'm probably pushing my luck.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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

[MIKE RGR]

Island Girl

This site may be what you are looking for

https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/...vels/index.htm

take care
mike

[Island Girl]

I am looking for the year 2000, Bizer chart. Des goes back to 2006., but thanks.

[LIforrelaxin]

Oh how these time try us. My favorite time of the year to be at the lake and on the water, and it is getting so low.... I was up here 10 days ago, and things looked alright... And then I saw they opened the dam up another 100 cfs to 350 cfs, and have watched it drop since them. Looking at the level today, I still feel my boat is fine.... But if they lake keeps droping at the rate it has over the last 10 days, I may not be able to leave it in past next weekend.

Oh how I hope at some point today they slow the flow out of the lake... Winnisquam and silver lake are back where they should be so their is now reason to be any higher then the required 250 cfs... now....

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

Oh how these time try us. My favorite time of the year to be at the lake and on the water, and it is getting so low.... I was up here 10 days ago, and things looked alright... And then I saw they opened the dam up another 100 cfs to 350 cfs, and have watched it drop since them. Looking at the level today, I still feel my boat is fine.... But if they lake keeps droping at the rate it has over the last 10 days, I may not be able to leave it in past next weekend.

Oh how I hope at some point today they slow the flow out of the lake... Winnisquam and silver lake are back where they should be so their is now reason to be any higher then the required 250 cfs... now....

On the plus side I'm pulling my dock this weekend so I only have to get half as wet as I usually do!

The water temps are on their way down... last check it was 68 on Wednesday and it was a cold rainy night last night so it's probably dropped another degree or two.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Phantom

Personally -- I LOVE this time of year with low water. It gives me the great opportunity to explore the various markers and decipher if it is a true hazard i.e. Rock or simply a "safe passage" marker i.e. lower depth.

I have found numerous "safe passage" markers through the years and this becomes very helpful "in Season".

As example for those unfamiliar -- all of the water to the East of FL#1 (Black Top at Weirs) is essentially safe for 75-80% of the boats -- FL#1 is a "safe passage" marker.

Another example are the markers to Governors Bridge. When traveling East to West - all black tops are "safe passage" there are no rocks should you be inside them. Same for the Red Top at FL#43 just outside Gov Bridge.

There are many many more -- and of course there are those that DISTINCTLY mark rocks not seen when water is at standard levels - the most important ones to learn!!

I have been doing the same with my drone, but I just have to wait for low tide.