Winnipesaukee water level to drop 9 feet?

[Woodsy]

YIKES!!

Did anyone else see the article in the Laconia Sun yesterday? Long story short, sometime in June the money runs out for Dam Operations and maintenance. The Sentae Finance Comittee refused a request for emergency funds (to the tune of $1,000,000) The solution is to just open the dams.... the result would be a 9' drop in the water level!

I highly doubt this will come to pass, but the article was very disturbing to say the least!

Woodsy

[Steveo]

Hey Woodsy, it's April 6th not the 1st

[Woodsy]

Its not an April Fools joke! It was a pretty lengthy article printed in yesterdays Laconia Daily Sun.


Woodsy

[jrc]

Well this would help Wolfeboro with their milfoil problem. If you drop the lake nine feet, you can clean up the milfoil with a lawn mower ;)

I'm sure this is just political budget games. Politicians always threaten to cut something with devestating consequences. If they they threatened to cut minor stuff, someone might say, go ahead and cut it.

[Bear Islander]

Look at the bright side.

If the lake drops 9 feet I'll have a beach!

[Woodsy]

Bear Islander...

Not only will you have a beach, but the shore erosion will slow somewhat!

Woodsy

PS: I am going to bang the Sun an e-mail to see if they will send me a copy of the article to reprint here. It was pretty lengthy. I highly doubt it will come to pass, but some of the comments made by the politicos were alarming.

[GWC...]

Upside...

Think about all those miles of new undeveloped shoreline.

Wonder if the new "backlot" properties will receive a tax rebate?

Wonder if they will be given Lake access rights or will their shorefront property become landlocked? :eek: Too funny! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[Woodsy]

Reposted with permission from the Laconia Daily Sun....

Pretty wild worse case scenario....

Winipesaukee water level to drop 9 feet?
Chief warns reluctant lawmaker to fund the Dam Bureau or gates will have to be opened

by Michael Kitch
The Laconia Daily Sun
Wednesday, April 5, 2006

CONCORD — Jim Gallagher, chief of the Dam Bureau of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES), told the House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee yesterday that the money to operate and maintain the 269 dams owned by the state would run out at the end of June 2007.
"If we can't operate the dams, we'd have to open the gates," Gallagher said. "What happens if the dams are opened up," asked Representative Sandy Keans (R-Rochester). "Some impoundments would be completely drained," Gallagher replied, adding that "Lake Winnipesaukee would drop by about nine feet."
Gallagher made his remarks in the course of a public hearing on Senate Bill 103, sponsored by Senator Carl Johnson (R-Meredith), which would convene a committee to recommend a stable source of funding for the operation and maintenance of dams. Originally the bill included an appropriation of $1 million to tide the bureau over through 2007 until its funding crisis could be overcome, but the Senate Finance Committee reduced the appropriation to $1.
Johnson opened the hearing by reminding the committee of the importance of maintaining the dams and recommending that the $1 million be appropriated while the search for an alternative funding source was pursued. "At the end of the biennium the bank will run dry. We're at crisis point now," said Gallagher, who echoed Johnson by urging the committee to restore the $1 million.
Of the 269 state-owned dams, 29 are designated as "high hazard dams," the failure of which would lead to lives lost and property damaged downstream. Another 53 are rated as "significant hazard dams," whose failure would certainly damage property and could possibly claim lives. Most of these dams are "well over 100 years old," Gallagher said, and without repairs have a design life of about 50 years. Therefore, the state must repair or reconstruct an average of five dams a year to ensure that all are in a safe condition. Meanwhile, dams must be constantly managed not only to prevent flooding downstream but also to sustain water levels on which outdoor recreational opportunities and shorefront property values depend, particularly in the Lakes Region where the levels of lakes Winnipesaukee, Opechee, Winnisquam, Squam and Newfound are all controlled by dams. The Dam Bureau employs a construction crew of eight along with five dam operators.
The maintenance, repair and operations of state-owned dams is funded by the Dam Maintenance Fund, which the Legislature established in 1982 by authorizing the sale of $2.5 million of general obligation bonds. Since then the Legislature has increased the bond limit to $9.8 million. The proceeds DES receives from leasing 12 of its dams to private hydro-electric power producers is dedicated to the repayment of the bonds and any balance is credited to the fund for maintenance, repair and operation. The proceeds from the leases represent a share of the revenue from the sale of the power generated by the hydro-electric stations, ranging from 3.5 percent to 26 percent depending on the agreement. Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH) purchases the power generated at 11 of the 12 facilities.
The Dam Maintenance Fund began running out of money in 2002, Gallagher explained. As part of the effort to restructure the electric utility industry and reduce retail electric rates, PSNH renegotiated its contracts with independent power producers, including hydro-electric producers. These contracts required PSNH to purchase the output of hydro-electric and wood-burning power plants at rates in excess of market energy prices. When PSNH either bought out or bought down its contracts with seven of the hydropower producers leasing state-owned dams, revenue to the Dam Maintenance Fund dropped 40 percent. Although the restructuring of electric utilities has saved ratepayers an estimated $6.2 million, it bankrupted the Dam Maintenance Fund. "It was totally unanticipated," Gallagher said. "The unintended consequence of a legislative initiative."
Moreover, in 2003 the lease for the Pontook Dam on the Androscoggin River at Dummer was acquired by Brascan Corporation, which sells the power it generates to a subsidiary at below-market rates. In 2005, this transaction cost the Dam Maintenance Fund $300,000. Finally, the smaller hydro-electric producers leasing from DES began finding that the market price for their power failed to cover their costs. One stopped production and another is considering it.
Gallagher told the committee that when the revenue from the leases began shrinking in 2002, the Dam Bureau began tapping a reserve fund amassed from the sale of water stored at Lake Francis, at the headwaters of the Connecticut River, to downstream hydro-electric producers. Already, he said the bureau had run through $2 million of the $3 million in the fund and the remainder was designated for the maintenance of Murphy Dam at Lake Francis. "All reserves have been nearly exhausted," Gallager declared.
Last year, the Legislature rejected two alternative sources of funding for the Dam Maintenance Fund, which were recommended by a study committee. One bill would have designated a portion of gasoline tax refunded to boaters for the fund. Boaters are entitled to the refund because the gasoline they purchase is not used on the roads, which are maintained with the proceeds from the tax. But, of the $1.8 million in potential refunds each year, only $133,000 is claimed, leaving a balance that is divided between the Fish and Game Fund and the general fund. At the same, SB 103, in its original form, would have assessed a flat fee of ten cents per linear foot on public and private property fronting on bodies of water where the levels are regulated by state-owned dams. Altogether there are some 5.8 million feet of such shoreline, representing about $580,000 in revenue shorefront. Despite support from the New Hampshire Lakes Association, which represents many owners of shorefront property, the Senate stripped this provision from the bill.
"There is no revenue to do anything but make the bond payments," Gallagher said flatly. "What's your contingency plan?" asked Representative Chris Christensen (R-Merrimack). "I can't budget without revenue," Gallagher replied. "I'll have to let go of the folks who do the work." Gallagher went on to explain that if the dams could not be operated or maintained, the only alternative would be to open the gates, otherwise the dams would be at risk of failing.
Apart from the risk of flooding downstream, Gallagher explained that water levels in most lakes and ponds could not be managed without constant operation of the dams. "If your lake goes down or away," said Keans, "your property loses value." Gallagher answered that "hundreds of millions of dollars in recreational business, property values and property tax revenues" depend on maintaining water levels within stable and predictable levels.
"I couldn't be more frustrated with the Senate for not recognizing the gravity of the situation," exclaimed representative Judith Spang (D-Durham). She suggested that Gallagher make a list of the dams that would have to be opened. "That would show whose ox is being gored," she said. "The bill would pass with this list!"
"If you drain those lakes, you'll get your money," echoed Representative Harry Merrow (R-Center Ossipee). "I guarantee it."

[KonaChick]

Forget the speed limit bill controversy, this is something everyone associated with Lake Winnipesaukee should be concerned about!!

[ITD]

Trying to look on the bright side..... If the lake drops 9 feet then my property tax should drop drastically.:cool:


Seriously though, with what has happened over the past year with dams, I would think that maintaining dams would be a priority. As always, penny wise, pound foolish.

[Aquadeziac]

"THE SKY IS FALLING!!! THE SKY IS FALLING!!!!" Lets think this thing through.....If they leave the dam open and Winni drops 9', where is the water going to go??? Face it, Opeechee, Winnisquam, and Silver Lake et al drain slower than Winni. Does anyone really think they are going to flood everything downstream??

[Woodsy]

To think you guys thought I was trying to prank you...

They won't just foolishly open the dam, but they could draw the lake down 9' slowly. I seriously doubt it will come to pass, but it is a concern enough for a large article. I wonder how long it will be before the "Big" papers pick up the story.

I guess this quote sums it up....

"If you drain those lakes, you'll get your money," echoed Representative Harry Merrow (R-Center Ossipee). "I guarantee it."

Woodsy

[Kamper]

Look at the bright side.

If the lake drops 9 feet I'll have a beach!

If you buy the beer I'll come help you build that new shade house on your beach. Regrettably everything I build looks like a dock...

[Mee-n-Mac]

1'st - Like Woodsy said, if there's no $$ to operate or maintain the dams then those dams which pose a safety threat will have to (slowly) be relieved of the pressure on them and then left (?partially?) open. Otherwise you're counting on the dam to hold forever w/o any maintainence. Wasn't there a dam burst concern last year in MA ?

2'nd - I don't quite understand part of the story. In an effort to lower electric rates PSNH negoiotiated to buy power from new sources, presumably at lower rates than they have been prior to that date. Yet the story says part of the problem was that "These contracts required PSNH to purchase the output of hydro-electric and wood-burning power plants at rates in excess of market energy prices" and subsequently revenue to the dam funds dropped by 40%. I can understand if the cost to produce power from the dams has now become economically unviable due to lower rates due to competition and/or better technology, but it starts to sound like CA where the Legislature forgot that they couldn't dictate supplier costs and went ahead and dictated consumer rates anyway. Please tell me this isn't (part of) the case.

3'rd - If the operation and mantainence can no longer be supported by selling power, then the real question is where will the $$ come to do this because I'm sure nobody is going to let the dams run open and the lake levels drop (or be uncontrolled). Since abutters to the lake derive the most utility from the lakes control, it seems that they should get stuck with more of the bill. Given that their taxes are already higher than non-waterfront owners it's debateable as to whether an additional "shoreline tax" pushes past the boundaries of fairness. As we're all been reminded recently, the lakes belong to all the people of NH, so I think nobody should get off tax-free.

4'th - Will I get to extend my dock to meet the water ? Will I be allowed to move my dock to meet the water ? Who and what will define the new high water mark ? What will count higher for the "view tax"; more beach and little water or the present scene ? Will PWCs be the only watercraft than will be able to travel between Lake Winnipesaukee and the "new" Lake Paugus ? Would be fun to have Bizer redo a map with the water levels 9' lower than normal. I wonder if Alton bay up to Sandy Pt would have to be renamed; Merrymeeting River, North Extension. :eek: :D

[VarneyPoint]

If the lake dropped 9 feet the weirs channel would essentially become a trickle and Paugus bay would become Paugus Lake. The Witches would become a new island, almost every sheltered cove would dry up, ie Minge Cove. All the marinas, yacht clubs, and town docks would be useless, as would the boat ramps. You might be able to walk through the graveyard.

This will never happen (unless caused by natural phenomenon like a tremendous drought), but it is funny to think about. The state would lose millions.

[WakeUp]

Don't let anyone fool you about this! This has NOTHING to do with lack of money. The reality is the state has no other way to remove debris from the bottom of the lake. "Let's drain Winnipeasaukee, remove the 'sunken treasures' (unwanted cars, snowmobiles, neglected bobhouses, etc.) and we'll turn the faucet back on." I claim my Rolex that fell to the bottom off Eagle Island!!

[wildwoodfam]

Webmaster could set up a Lake Out contest like Ice-Out....once the Weirs Channel is no longer passable by boat, and the bays are no longer reachable by boats, and the Mount has to be anchored out in the Broads and used as a Floating nightclub - the person closest to that date would win!! :eek:

[fatlazyless]

Just like before the Lakeport Dam was built away backy in 1827. I remember it well! Seems like the lake used to be seven different smaller lakes that only got connected during those Spring time, snow melt-downs, or something.


Not to worry about the legislature letting the DES Dam Division go unfunded and have to just leave all the dams wide open due to no dam workers. Probably, those crusty old Republican Senators thought this one up while in between posturing in their smoke filled Republican lounge. Said one, "we got so many emails and letters from all over, for & against, over that speed limits law, why I'd just like to let all the water out of their big lake just to show them who is the real boss around these here parts, ayuh! Live Free, or Die." Said the other one, "Hey, gimme a cigarette, buddy, and I think I agrees wit you."

[roundisland1]

Hey Woodsy,

If the state lets the water drop nine feet, can an island owner build on the newly gained waterfront land? If so, will the state be responsible for the cost of that construction if and when they want to fill the lake back up because it ruined tourism? :laugh:

[Woodsy]

They may or may not let you build on it....


But you can be darn sure they will tax it!! :rolleye1: :rolleye1:


Woodsy

[Frank]

Perhaps the members of this forum could all get together and volunteer to run the dam ourselves? After all, we are always complaining about lake level... this is our chance to show NH how it really should be done!!!

;)

[John A. Birdsall]

Is it possible to have a garage on state property? If this water level is dropped 9 ft then instead of a boat house, I will have a garage. The lake is gonna be low I think this year despite the problem. I have been informed that the brooks are not even producing the water needed to fill the lake, and that the beach is now about 15' larger than last fall.