Lake level Nov 2018
 

Lake level is at 504.38 !!!!!! Over full lake. The rain this fall is raising havoc with the dam bureau's "best laid plans".

Dave

My lake, Waukewan, is over full also and they can't drain it down because Winni is full. My dock was still in as of this past weekend and it was almost under water. :eek:

Reading this article: State committee rethinking normal Winnipesaukee basin lake levels - it seems like flooding around the lake starts at 504.32 or 504.82 (depending on how you read the sentence "Twenty years ago, in 1985, the Army Corps identified 1,158 residences and 115 businesses at risk on the four lakes, two-thirds of them on Lake Winnipesaukee, where flood damage begins to occur when the lake is six inches above "full" at 504.32 feet above sea level."

As rain is forecast to continue, are properties on the lake at risk of flooding?

510
 

I interpret that to mean 510.32. The lake is full at 504, flood risk starts 6" above that at 510. I recall several instances where the lake was way over full, but no significant flooding was reported. I also remember stories of hurricane Carol in 1954 where the lake was so overfull that boats in boathouses had to be partially sunk to get them out so the cabins, masts etc would not hit the roof damaging both boat and boathouse.
At this point, everything is full, up and downstream, I think. And the watershed is saturated, so a little more rain could raise the lake level more than a little.

"Twenty years ago, in 1985, the Army Corps identified 1,158 residences and 115 businesses at risk on the four lakes, two-thirds of them on Lake Winnipesaukee, where flood damage begins to occur when the lake is six inches above "full" at 504.32 feet above sea level."

A 6 inch increase from full at 504.32 equals 504.82 at which point flood damage is reported to begin.

Every .10 increase equals 1.2 inches.

510.32 is equal to a 6 foot increase from full lake, and time to build the Ark.

Cobalt

For some historical data:

"Listed below is a brief description of how the reservoirs are operated and managed from Lake Winnipesaukee to the stream gaging station site on the Winnipesaukee River in Tilton. All elevations referenced are based upon the NGVD datum.

Lake Winnipesaukee:

Highs:

June 1984 505.89

June 1998 505.53

October 2005 505.25

Lows:

Nov. 2001 501.86"

[From Echo Shores Website]

I remember pipe docks being pulled out of the lake bed and floating around with the boat still tied to the dock. You need good cleats on the dock and boat and strong lines for that to happen. The water was above my knees when standing on my dock. Filled garbage cans with water and put on the dock; not sure how effective that was, but no damage. In July of 1998, the entire lake was a no wake zone for a week or so as I recall.

You're right. My fingers were moving faster than my mind.

Being that the water levels are so high, why, is the level of Winnisquam so extremely low. Was past on the last trip from the lake and I don't think I've ever seem Winnisquam at this level. Off to California.

_________________________________________

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

1 in equals .083 ft
 

When I kept my boat at Parker's in Alton Bay, because of bridge clearance issues with my boat, I used .083 foot as 1 inch.

For my boat, I could not comfortably get under the bridge with a lake level around 504.60 or so, which was just under 4 inches above full lake.

Dave

At least part of the problem is because the dam outflow has been at minimal levels for the last two weeks of October, probably to allow some scheduled work downstream. It's been fairly wet recently so water in but little water out. Dam outflow was increased as November started and is now at 1000 CFS which is the highest it has been since at least early July when Bizer shows it was at 621 CFS and then dropped into the 200's CFS until now. The 1000 CFS is enough to drop the level an inch every couple days, not counting new inflow from rain. That could take about 3 weeks to drop the lake about a foot, again not accounting for new rainfall.

I'm pretty sure Winnisquam is on a strict 2 year draw down schedule. Kinda meaning that pretty much no mater what they hold back Winnipesaukee for 2 weeks to lower Winnisquam and Silver Lake and the Winnipesaukee River.

Kinda been this way for years ............ ? I think.

Did the same exact thing that year. With the wooden docks submerged by just an inch or two they were trying to float themselves up and pulling up on the stakes. Each large rubbish barrel about 55 gallons weighed about 450 pounds each when filled with water, with 8 of them (4 on each dock) it weighed the docks down more than enough to keep the stakes sunken into the sand. I think we used a dozen or so spare cinder blocks too.

After the first day or so with the docks completely submerged (and the weight on top) they more or less got waterlogged and stopped pulling upward.

When the water went down, it was like nothing happened.

Obviously the boats were taken out before hand.

Winnisquam went low because of the draw down.... Winnisquam and Silver Lake are back and full of water now that the Dam is open from winnipesaukee and pushing ~1000 cfs.... the flow of the winnipesaukee river in Tilton is also at ~1000 cfs.... so we should start to see an overall effect in the level of Winnipesaukee soon.... Assuming we stop getting so much rain....

They are doing a great job with the Dams, over the last few years... in the 80s 90s and 2000s they let the lake get to low late in the season... The last few years they haven't done that as much... As such there is a greater chance of hitting full lake during the draw down period.

Personally people need to stop fussing about the lake level... When you build on a lake, you should make sure you have some margin in your plans to deal with a certain amount of flooding... The marina's and homes that start to run into issues before 505 ft. should work on correcting that fault. My dock doesn't run into an issue until 505.32 feet.... And my camp... well the lake would have to be at about 512 feet before I got nervous...

Lakeport Landing
 

I checked on the boat yesterday after spending a week at Las Vegas for the SEMA / AAPEX show. Lake level is very high, almost level with the top of the dock! Boats are sitting pretty high!

On the news the other night they said we hadn't gone more than 3 days without measurable rain since Sept 1st.

That is the problem with some of the Marina's they built there docks to close to full lake, betting on full lake being the high water mark...Anyway that is neither here nor there....

What is important is that flow out of winnipesaukee is now at 1200 cfs.... and the lake doesn't appear to have risen since then.... Now if the weather will cooperate the lake level will start downward.... as hopefully the amount of water coming into the lake will not exceed that... of course if it rains this weekend... that could be out the door.... and the Dam could have to be openned further...

Areal flood watch
 

An areal flood watch Friday into Saturday for 1-2 inches additional rain:eek:

Dave

504.50 most of today
 

From Bizer today

Hey, Bizer
 

What year was the lake this high in the fall, or close to this high? It was between 2004 and 2008 I believe.

IG

DES Graph
 

I prefer viewing the DES graph at the web site below instead of Bizer. It's more current and gives more information. It shows lake level today is nearly at 1982-2017 all time maximum.

https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/.../graph2018.jpg

Bizer Data
 

Bizer updates once a week typically and keeps a graph of each year. I am sure he has historical data for years, which is what I am asking of him. I love the visual.


The DES site gives the hour by hour which is helpful to see over a given period how high the lake is. For instance the rise of over an inch since yesterday. Bizer does update his graphs more frequently with extraordinary changes in the lake levels.


From my site at www.rattlesnakecam.com/watch.htm you can access both sources of data.


IG

Today's height of 4.60 (as of 6am) is the 2nd highest for November 10th since they started keeping daily records in 1982. The highest was 4.70 in 2005. Last year, BTW, was the 3rd highest. Here are the November 10th readings for the past 37 years.


Year Hgt Rank
2001 1.95 1
2016 2.25 2
2002 2.26 3
2004 2.69 4
2000 2.75 5
1984 2.77 6
1985 2.80 7
2014 2.80 8
1993 2.86 9
1994 2.86 10
2007 2.88 11
1998 2.94 12
1982 2.96 13
1992 2.99 14
1999 3.00 15
1997 3.05 16
1983 3.10 17
2013 3.10 18
1991 3.12 19
Avg> 3.13, StdDev= 0.50
1986 3.19 20
2009 3.19 21
1988 3.21 22
2008 3.29 23
2015 3.30 24
1987 3.31 25
2012 3.38 26
2010 3.48 27
2011 3.54 28
1989 3.58 29
2003 3.61 30
2006 3.61 31
1996 3.62 32
1990 3.69 33
1995 3.69 34
2017 4.09 35
2018 4.60 36
2005 4.70 37

Thanks, Bizer
 

You are always a wonderful source of information.

IG

2005
 

I remember 2005 well. My good friend Russell gave me four 55 gallon drums to fill with water and put on my dock. This was to offset the wave action pushing up the deck boards from underneath. Those barrels are on the dock now. Over the years I have thought of getting rid of them as they are quite bright blue and do not enhance my back yard. I think I will keep them.

Bizer, was November 10th the highest the lake got in the fall of 2005?

IG

I was QUITE amazed at Winnisquam ……….. left last weekend and you could see sand & rock at the mosquito Sand Bar as well as other areas around the Rte 11 roadway -- this week, it looked like Full Lake !!

The fish are wondering what's going on. :eek:

More rain on the way this week.

Here's what the lake level looks like today...the pontoon deck is usually at dock level or slightly below this time of year.Attachment 14335Attachment 14336

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Friends of mine that are still fishing on the Merrimack River in the Concord area report that the river current is really swift right now. Almost to fast. Very likely from the combination of a lot of recent rain and the high discharge rates from the lakes as they try to lower them for the winter.

Highest level
 

According to this link, the high level of the lake this month occurred on Nov 10 at 4 :00 a.m., with the recorded level at 504.61

https://www4.des.state.nh.us/rti_data/WEIN3_TABLE.HTML

One of my favorite links for lake info. Now if they would also record the outflow at the Lakeport dam.... 😎

Dave

The outflow data is here:

https://www4.des.state.nh.us/rti_data/LKPN3_TABLE.HTML

I am not sure why this data is not also on the link you posted.

We've had too much water and Cali has none.

There is some standing water in the yard in Massachusetts, but, neighbor next door has a pond next to the fence. First time there has ever been any water standing in the yard. Heading to California this Sunday, hoping the smoke blows out to sea with the Santa Anna winds. Breathing in Burbank has been off and on the past few days.

Best to all at the lake.

_________________________________

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

With the lake being so high and wind so strong last night, the waves came over the road at 20mi bay this morning and it froze on the road. too dark for pics but, pretty wild.

When the Lake Freezes
 

I am worried with these high water levels that when the lake freezes and the water expands New Hampshire split open and ALL the water will run out.:)

The happy side of that is that when the water all runs out, it will flood the Merrimack Valley in MA. For those who care, "those people" will no longer come to Winnipesaukee, since they will have their own lake, and you'll be able to buy a nice (former) shorefront property for $200,000. OHRV included.

Thank you for all the information
 

I was up yesterday and admiring the Lake Level. Over the past 15 years on the lake I've had water in my yard three times, not this time though. It seems inflow from the drainage basin is exceeding outflow so I suspect it will continue to rise on Winni as the 'upstream' water sources are allowed to drain now, is that accurate?

When 'downstream sources' are allowed/scheduled to draw-down the Dam at Lakeport is closed holding water until Silver/Winnisquam hit a certain level, is that also correct?

I live at the mouth of the Merrimack so I may have the opportunity to experience the rise twice.

I think I need to buy some higher ground.

I thought I would update this thread with the fact that the lake is now going down, and is now back below the full lake level. With little Rain in the forecast` and the Dam open at 1500 cfs, the lake should continue this downward trend.

504.08 Thursday, December 13, 2018
 

Grateful for the lower water level. They are doing a great job at the dam letting a lot of water out. Bizer charts the lake levels each week.

Lake Level
 

Where on the site can you find the lake level ?? Worried about potential damage to walls !!

http://bizer.com/

On the menu bar (left panel) Lake Level

Lake Level Pages
 

Go here: www.rattlesnakecam.com/watch.htm and click on any of the highlighted links. Have fun!

Shameless plug LOL !! :D


but actually a great consolidation

Here's a link
 

Here's a link to DES site

https://www4.des.state.nh.us/rti_data/WEIN3_TABLE.HTML

I have this link on my phone and my tablet.

Dave