Adding to the rapid rise in the lake are the high water levels downstream in Silver Lake and Winnisquam forcing the dam operators to reduce Winnipesaukee outflow twice the past two days. Outflow is now at 1,265 CFS, which is down from 1,800 CFS, with the estimated inflow at 3,700 CFS.
The folks at the Dam Bureau are increasing the flow at the Lochmere Dam to 1,900 CFS today and that should reduce the level of Winnisquam a bit. The level at both Silver Lake and Winnisquam will need to drop some before the flow at the Lakeport Dam can be increased.
Looking at the flow rates, until they can increase the Lakeport outflow, we will be adding about 2,500 CFS to Winnipesaukee, which is a lot of water. Winnipesauke will continue to rise until the Lakeport Dam flow can be increased.
What we do not need right now and for the next week is a heavy rain storm. The Friday night into Saturday system looks like it will be heavier in southern New England than in the Lakes Region. It will likely start as snow
in the Lakes Region on Friday night and change to rain on Saturday. If this happens, the snow should absorb a lot of the rain spreading the effects of the system out over several days unless the rain washes away all the snow.
The people at the Dam Bureau have a very tough job doing this balancing act.
R2B