BT,
Great idea with this thread.
After clearing snow and ice from our roof and decks yesterday, I can say there is a lot of water being held in the snow pack around the lake. CLA has some solid data in another thread that more accurately states the situation with the snowpack. It is very wet, especially at the bottom.
Personally, I have huge concerns about the flood potential this spring.
This applies to rivers and to lakes. I am not well versed in hydrology, but I know this water heavy snow plus any additional precip we get in the next month or so has to get into the lakes and rivers and find its way to the sea. As BT said, the heavy snowpack is everywhere in our region, it increases dramatically from the Mass/NH boarder northward.
Here is a link to the NOAA AHPS web site where you can monitor rivier and lake levels and river flows:
http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=gyx
We need warm days that can melt the snow, cool nights that can slow down the melt and most of all dry weather for the next month. We are warming up, but I continue to see wetter weather in our future. It it gets warm too soon, or if it stays cold too long, we are in big trouble. If it all melts in a ten day period with rain, it will be something to remember.
I have the highest regard for the folks at the dam. They may not be able to say much about the situation officially, but it would be great to hear from them about what they are thinking.
FEMA has advised for all residents to purchase flood insurance now. It takes 30 days for it to become effective, so if you buy it today, it becomes effective April 3rd. We have our flood insurance, purchased two years ago, and it helps us sleep at night in the spring.
Let us all hope for an orderly melt!
R2B