Summer 2021 Lake Level

[jeffk]

Henri was a dud, water wise, at the lake. However, the Lakeport dam output has been dropped to 650 CFS and, correspondingly, the lake level decrease rate has slowed down and the level is about 4" below "full pool".

That's a bit high for this time of year but gives the dam managers a bit to play with if the next couple months are dry. The north country is still in mild drought so a bit more rain wouldn't hurt. Unfortunately, NOAA is predicting the the north will trend to remain slightly dry and the south continues to be on the wet side.

[Merrymeeting]

I'm guessing the drop in outflow is more due to flooding downstream rather than a concern about Winni level. Areas to the south were saturated for a long time.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by jeffk

Henri was a dud, water wise, at the lake. However, the Lakeport dam output has been dropped to 650 CFS and, correspondingly, the lake level decrease rate has slowed down and the level is about 4" below "full pool".

That's a bit high for this time of year but gives the dam managers a bit to play with if the next couple months are dry. The north country is still in mild drought so a bit more rain wouldn't hurt. Unfortunately, NOAA is predicting the the north will trend to remain slightly dry and the south continues to be on the wet side.

"A bit high"? I think it's about right and other years were too low. I hope that means we can boat well into October. Too many years recently the lake has been too low after Labor Day and people were forced to pull their boats early, close camps, etc. A couple of years ago my marina had to do extra dredging because too many boats were hitting bottom in the middle of the channel. This was hard bottom, not just accumulate silt.

[Winilyme]

If anyone harbors any concerns about lack of rain then fear not. The 3-day Labor Day weekend is almost here and I predict a holiday three-fer. It’s just been one of those years.

[jeffk]

Originally Posted by Descant

"A bit high"? I think it's about right and other years were too low. I hope that means we can boat well into October. Too many years recently the lake has been too low after Labor Day and people were forced to pull their boats early, close camps, etc. A couple of years ago my marina had to do extra dredging because too many boats were hitting bottom in the middle of the channel. This was hard bottom, not just accumulate silt.

Go to Bizer. The level now is "a bit high" compared the other 5 years on the graph. I did not evaluate the "goodness" of that FACT. I gave a recognition to the FACT that drought has been a problem in the Fall and the OPINION that SOME extra water might be good to have for a while.

I would point out that the lake doesn't need to be at "full pool" to avoid the low water problems you describe. The outflow drop to 650 seems to signal that the dam operators are trying to allow for the possible problems of low water. I would also point out that unpredictable weather events can quickly throw A LOT of water into the lake as happened in late 2017 and 2018. The dam operators have to be ready for that as well.

[TiltonBB]

Unlike the other lakes, Lake Winnipesaukee is not purposely drawn down in the fall. Instead, after Columbus Day, the releases from Lakeport Dam are reduced from a normal minimum of 250 cubic feet per second to a flow between 30 and 50 cubic feet per second for up to two weeks to allow for maintenance of the dams and hydropower facilities on the Winnipesaukee River.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/boat...79536f362.html

[Biggd]

Warmer and dryer weather is predicted for the North East this fall so along with the high water level I'm hoping for an extended boating season and no prop damage.