BackBay in Wolfeboro

[The Real BigGuy]

Originally Posted by targabill

Hmm, Does anybody know "Who" water quality/tester type person I might call to get the real lowdown on how the water quality is now?

There are a couple of contaminate types, floaters & sinkers (I.e., heavier than water & lighter/same SG as water). Your usual water testing lab will find floaters but sinkers tend to sink into bottom sediments. The type of testing most of us think of (water sample testing)usually won’t find these as they tend to sink into the sediment and accumulate. Most communities/companies/individuals don’t want to test sediments in an area like Back Bay because if they find something they have to clean it up. VERY EXPENSIVE!


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[ApS]

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

There are a couple of contaminate types, floaters & sinkers (I.e., heavier than water & lighter/same SG as water). Your usual water testing lab will find floaters but sinkers tend to sink into bottom sediments. The type of testing most of us think of (water sample testing)usually won’t find these as they tend to sink into the sediment and accumulate. Most communities/companies/individuals don’t want to test sediments in an area like Back Bay because if they find something they have to clean it up. VERY EXPENSIVE!

Seems like Wolfeboro's Back Bay area had numerous pollution problems.

I can't recall whether it was PCBs or a radiation hazard, but it was "solved" by paving an immense parking lot over it.

[Heaven]

In any case, it is a very mucky bottom. Very shallow around the back, I don't know how you'd swim well except from a boat. Go to the bench at Back Bay Park, right there it looks ok.

[Rob M]

The pollutants in the bay are a thing of the past. On a calm day the water is quite clear, but with wind or boat traffic the silty bottom gets stirred up and the water becomes quite murky.

You can typically get under the bridge with smaller boat, I go under with my bass boat and 18 foot Bayliner with out issue, unless the water is unusually high. There is a great restaurant/bar on the bay that you can dock at, and a Water Ski Slalom course for the school.

There is one house at the very North End of the bay with a small beach that kids swim at, but the bay is shallow and silty so it does not make for a great swimming destination.

On the upside, once you go north of the Marina, the bay is typically very quiet.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Rob M

The pollutants in the bay are a thing of the past.

Not really...As Tis and APS stated above the entire area behind the Harvest Market was never cleaned up...it was filled and covered up as it would of been too costly to clean so the pollutants are still there, maybe in limbo, maybe not. I do know that area cannot be excavated at least not without massive and expensive precautions.

Dan

[targabill]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Not really...As Tis and APS stated above the entire area behind the Harvest Market was never cleaned up...it was filled and covered up as it would of been too costly to clean so the pollutants are still there, maybe in limbo, maybe not. I do know that area cannot be excavated at least not without massive and expensive precautions.

Dan

Just an FYI, I talked to Lake Winnipesaukee Association and they told me they test the water in the Back Bay 2 times per month and there is no problem swimming in there. The biggest problem is runoff from people fertilizing there lawns, and that the same all over the lake.