Low Water Level Warning...

[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.

[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.

[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.