Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - 1881 B & M Map of Lake Winnipiseogee and Vicinity

Winnipesaukee Divers · 03-11-2007, 09:32 AM

I made this statement before and I’ll make it again: The old shore line at the 18 foot depth is very evident all along the lake. It’s like following along an old stone wall. This depth just so happens to coincide with the height of the dam in Lakeport built in 1822. There is an old Indian encampment in Dug Hill cove that lends credence to my theory. Our dive group spent days a few years back, sifting through the bottom in the 10’ to 12’ depth range and came up with all sorts of artifacts; I still have some of the items I found. With the fire rings still there it had to have been above the water level.

Another interesting item that I found is off east end of Hopewell point: there are several ridges that run in the southeast direction and it shoals up mid way between the point and Little Barn Door Island. Just beyond this area in 30’ range, lying on the bottom is a 3 foot diameter iron ball tethered to a granite block by a 20’ chain. Since the ball has yellow and black paint on it we presume it was a mid channel marker, yet the scope of the chain is to shot to reach the surface unless it was there before the dam.

Yes, we have had this discussion before and you guys make a good point about the Weirs channel and its depth. However, I remember seeing a picture of channel before the bridge and it was a lot wider. Since the bridge is a stone arch, perhaps they had to fill the area to keep its height within reason.

My theory was blown out of the water the last time by the writing of some old lady and her cut on the history of the lake, however, some of her facts don’t add up by what I see below the surface. But, since it had been written, it must be true. Isn’t there an old saying about believing what you see, some of what you read and none of what you hear or something to that effect?

03-11-2007, 09:32 AM	#22
Winnipesaukee Divers Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Exeter, NH or @ WCYC on weekends Posts: 250 Thanks: 7 Thanked 46 Times in 28 Posts	A diver's prespective I made this statement before and I’ll make it again: The old shore line at the 18 foot depth is very evident all along the lake. It’s like following along an old stone wall. This depth just so happens to coincide with the height of the dam in Lakeport built in 1822. There is an old Indian encampment in Dug Hill cove that lends credence to my theory. Our dive group spent days a few years back, sifting through the bottom in the 10’ to 12’ depth range and came up with all sorts of artifacts; I still have some of the items I found. With the fire rings still there it had to have been above the water level. Another interesting item that I found is off east end of Hopewell point: there are several ridges that run in the southeast direction and it shoals up mid way between the point and Little Barn Door Island. Just beyond this area in 30’ range, lying on the bottom is a 3 foot diameter iron ball tethered to a granite block by a 20’ chain. Since the ball has yellow and black paint on it we presume it was a mid channel marker, yet the scope of the chain is to shot to reach the surface unless it was there before the dam. Yes, we have had this discussion before and you guys make a good point about the Weirs channel and its depth. However, I remember seeing a picture of channel before the bridge and it was a lot wider. Since the bridge is a stone arch, perhaps they had to fill the area to keep its height within reason. My theory was blown out of the water the last time by the writing of some old lady and her cut on the history of the lake, however, some of her facts don’t add up by what I see below the surface. But, since it had been written, it must be true. Isn’t there an old saying about believing what you see, some of what you read and none of what you hear or something to that effect?