lake level

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Biggd

We see pictures of lakes out west drying up, could we see that here?

As already Stated anything is possible. There are some differences however when you look at places where lakes go through radical level changes, and have even in some cases dried up.

Winnipesaukee, is really at the head of a water shed, there would need to be little to no snow pack through a winter, and very little to no rain for the remainder of the year before an issue would really become long term in nature.

When you look at issues to the west, for instance where I am, the lake serve two purposes, reduce flood risk, and provide water...... The draws on the lake are more constant because they are used to provide water for all purposes....

In Areas that go through a droughts on a regular basis they can't produce enough run off to keep the lake levels constant, in a normal year.... they rely on having "bumper years" where they fill the lakes, and then draw it down until the next "bumper year"..... So what really dictates the drying up of a lake, and how quickly it happens, is how much extra water is needed every year beyond what is normally produced in the water shed in a normal year.

Now lets bring this back to Winnipesaukee...... there was a lake to begin with..... in fact if the dam was taken out there would likely be few smaller lakes.....There is always snow pack in the mountains that will melt in the spring, and fill up the lake to some level..... because of the dam, the state can control how much water is held back, and what is allowed to flow down stream..... so even if there isn't rain this fall and the lake drops to an all time low.... there would have to be no snow this winter, for the lake to recover with ......

Now that I think I am done rambling, my point is yes it is possible for Winnipesaukee to run dry or at least suffer from drought conditions, but the likely hood, is minimal.... And would indicate the mother nature has lost her marbles....