After the concern in December, I would like to point out that the lake level is down to the historical mean for this time of year, 502.84. This is also about the annual time and level of the mean lowest lake level. To the best I can determine, the mean is calculated over roughly the past 40 years, since 1982. There are graphs and tables online that provide this information and if you look up the current lake level graph at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, it includes the mean value.
Reading some info about management of the lake level, it indicates the "target" low level for around the end of March is 802.32, about 2 feet below the target high level. However, looking at the historical mean levels, the actual lowest mean is at the end of February and is about 502.81, about 6" higher than the target. The lake almost never reaches the "target" low.
So, for now, all is well. We are expecting some rain from the 10 day forecast but if they keep the Lakeport dam running at a reasonable clip (~1000 cfs), it should be easily dealt with in a week or so. Not only that, but it seems the snow pack is on the lower side so the melt off would be less. That could lead to a low spring lake level unless we get a good amount of rain. The March-April-May predication for NH from NOAA is for above average temps and average rainfall. No drought is predicted in NH through the end of May.
We will have to see what the weather actually does.
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