How Low Can You Go....

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by znh

Exiting our marina is getting very, very low. 16-18 inches low. At least it's really soft sand and nothing else but someone said a boat got stuck the other day. I wonder if we could dig it deeper

Don't know where your located but I know Lakeshore Park's Marina entrance (under the walk bridge) is routinely dredged and they have plans to dredge it again within the next few weeks (so I'm told).

The entrance channel is constantly "choked" due to shifting sand from their vast beach area as well as nearby Ellacoya State Park


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[Pricestavern]

Based on the chart, we're currently tied for the third lowest level for this time of year (over the last 16 years). I'd say that's pretty abnormal.

[znh]

Originally Posted by Phantom

Don't know where your located but I know Lakeshore Park's Marina entrance (under the walk bridge) is routinely dredged and they have plans to dredge it again within the next few weeks (so I'm told).

The entrance channel is constantly "choked" due to shifting sand from their vast beach area as well as nearby Ellacoya State Park


.

This is where it's at. Need to be dredged something bad. Lots of boats getting stuck. Lot of strong wind days blowing right into the beach there probably bring more sand to that area, plus the lack of rain...


Can the State stop the flow out of the dam at all to let the lake come up? Has this ever happened?

[Onshore]

The outflow volume of Winnipesaukee cannot be reduced below a certain minimum level. There needs to be enough flow in the rivers downstream to provide aquatic habitat, address downstream owners water rights, and to accommodate outflows from wastewater treatment facilities.

[CaptT820]

According to the NHDES watershed operations website, the lake level at the Lakeport Dam was at El. 503.23, only 0.13 feet (1 1/2") above typical autumn levels as of 5am this morning (8-26-2016). I think I may have to lower the dock a bit for the rest of the season, if the weather doesn't change soon.

[rsmlp]

So I just heard that the Sophie C ran aground somewhere near Loon island but I cannot confirm this. Has anyone heard anything?

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by rsmlp

So I just heard that the Sophie C ran aground somewhere near Loon island but I cannot confirm this. Has anyone heard anything?

The MV Mt Sunapee ran "aground" also. Actually got stuck on an unmarked snowmaking intake pipe located 300 feet offshore.

[Bear Islander]

Originally Posted by rsmlp

So I just heard that the Sophie C ran aground somewhere near Loon island but I cannot confirm this. Has anyone heard anything?

The Sophie C. grounded on a rock August 26 while approaching Loon Island. It was a combination of low lake level and the Sophie not following the deepest part of the channel.

[salty dog]

We were up and out for several hours yesterday. It may have been one of our best boating days of the summer. We didn't want to come back! Minge Cove was very low, even lower than when we were there one week ago. Even trimmed up, I still hit mud in several spots. There was talk at the marina that it was possible the level may be dropped another 6 inches although I've read here in other comments that they probably wouldn't at this time. That would be the end for me as well as many other boaters, I'm sure.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by salty dog

We were up and out for several hours yesterday. It may have been one of our best boating days of the summer. We didn't want to come back! Minge Cove was very low, even lower than when we were there one week ago. Even trimmed up, I still hit mud in several spots. There was talk at the marina that it was possible the level may be dropped another 6 inches although I've read here in other comments that they probably wouldn't at this time. That would be the end for me as well as many other boaters, I'm sure.

Unless we get rain, the lake is going to continue to drop... 6 inches maybe more... The only reprieve will be in Oct. when they annually slow the flow to enable work down stream to take place on various dams etc. However given the state of things this may not need to happen this year, and it maybe more important to keep the flow where it is at, to insure adequate water down stream....

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

The only reprieve will be in Oct. when they annually slow the flow to enable work down stream to take place on various dams etc. However given the state of things this may not need to happen this year, ....

There is no way that they will slow the flow ..... we come up through Manchester every week and we can see rocks & shoreline we never knew existed in the Merrimack River.

Normally it's a Rapids under the bridge, now simply boulders with very little tranquil water passing.


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[feb]

I believe this is the year, usually even years, that Winnisquam and bodies of water further downstream get extra low for a 2 week period around Columbus Day as well.

[Blue Thunder]

Just to give you a perspective, Sebago Lake is 40 inches (3.3') below "full pond" as of this morning. We are approaching peak "Prop and Outdrive" season......

BT

[Greene's Basin Girl]

A friend of mine told me that six boats have hit rocks when going through the Graveyard. Apparently the markers have shifted. I am glad that we always avoid the Graveyard by going around the island next to it.

[8gv]

Where is the "Graveyard"? Is there a charted bouy for reference?

[SAB1]

Tuftonboro just north of Chases Point and south of Melvin Bay.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by 8gv

Where is the "Graveyard"? Is there a charted bouy for reference?

You can see it here:
https://webapp.navionics.com/?lang=e...key=ahmiGbcerL

[acg123]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Just to give you a perspective, Sebago Lake is 40 inches (3.3') below "full pond" as of this morning. We are approaching peak "Prop and Outdrive" season......

BT

Are you sure? Here's the Portland Water District reading:

http://www.pwd.org/lake/level.php?mode=table&year=2016

[Island Girl]

Friday at 5 PM the lake was at 502.78, today at 5 PM it was at 502.79.

The chart on DES' site was moved. I have fixed the link to the new location. Click Here for all sorts of links about the lake. The list at the right of the page will keep you busy for a long time.

Happy Reading
Island Girl

[Descant]

Originally Posted by znh

Can the State stop the flow out of the dam at all to let the lake come up? Has this ever happened?

They can't stop the outflow completely, but on rare occasions the Lakeport Dam has been raised to use Lake Winnipesaukee as a storage area to prevent flooding downstream. Those are the times when we have a headway speed limit on the entire lake until the level can be brought down safely.
From a purely selfish point of view, I'd like to see full lake on August 1st instead of sometime in the spring. That hopefully would mean we get a full boating season through Columbus Day. I spoke to the state dam manager about this years ago. At the time, the DES concept was that boating ended on Labor Day. They have been doing a much better job of keeping us going in the fall over the last several years, but sometimes there aren't many choices.