Thread: water level
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Old 04-28-2021, 04:56 AM   #46
jeffk
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According to my 10 day forecast, we could get 3" of rain by May 7 which would drive the lake level above full pool (3" of rain yields more than 3" of lake level). It seems to me that the forecasts of late have predicted more rain than we actually end up getting but even half of what is predicted would put the lake level in very good shape for now.

Then the balancing act begins. Should the dam operators start letting a bit more water out in anticipation of more rain? One big storm could raise the lake 6" and they would have to run the dam at full output for a week (drop 1" per day) to keep it from problem levels. However, if we stay in the dryer period we had been in, we may need to keep dam output low and hoard the water.

And then, what IS the right level of water in Winnipesaukee and WHO is to decide what that is?

What is a poor dam operator to do, at the mercy of unpredictable weather and disgruntled lake folk no matter what they decide?
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