In an effort to preserve current lake levels, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has reduced water discharge from Lake Winnipesaukee into the Winnipesaukee River. NHPR?s Dan Gorenstein reports, however, that critics chage the move will likely cause more damage.
In an effort to preserve current lake levels, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has reduced water discharge from Lake Winnipesaukee into the Winnipesaukee River. NHPR?s Dan Gorenstein reports, however, that critics chage the move will likely cause more damage.
12:48 the run started out pretty nice and it was technically challenging in terms of the rocks, by the time I had got to the bottom, I was covered in ice and it had gotten pretty cool. As were many paddlers just from the splashing waters.
Ken Norton is a paddler. Every January 1st he hops in the kayak and heads down the Winnipesaukee River. This year about 75 others joined him to revel in the seriously cold water.
On New Year?s people speed down the river due, in part, to water being released from the Lakeport Dam. The average rate is somewhere in the neighborhood of 225 cubic feet per second. On January 2 DES cut that to 30.
4:04 one of the things that concerned me, is what were the intentions for lowering, and how long was it going to be like that?my concern is that is it realistic for the lake to be brought ot full level when there is a drought. And don?t we need to share the burden of low water levels.
Norton says he was surprised the state made such a dramatic reduction. He was hoping for a compromise, something that would balance the needs of both the lake and the river.
Track 5
It?s a balancing act?
DES?s Jim Gallagher.
we are balancing in lake interest and they are recreation, and hydropower generation, having power down stream in the summer time?environmentally it is more important to provide these flows in the river in the spring and summer, than it is January and February.
Gallagher says this current drought is forcing the state to make difficult decisions. In this case, the state is placing Lake Winnipesaukee?s needs above that of the river. That means sacrificing some fish populations and loosing some hydro-electric power.
According to Fish and Game biologist Don Miller, the state restocks the river with brown and brook trout every season. But the lake trout are a different story.
1:04 our lake trout are natural reproducers in W. At the end of Oct. the trout spawn. Try to maintain lake levels, if it drops beyond that point, there is capability of eggs freezing.
Right now, Gallagher with DES, says water levels are hovering about a foot and a half above the lake trout eggs. And with the possibility of ice, he hopes the move will maintain the lake level.
Fish are just one part of the reason for reducing the amount of water coming from the dam. Gallagher points out that houses and marinas depend on Winnipesaukee Lake having levels that allow boats to get to surrounding islands.
A point not lost on Ken Norton.
18:58 obviously the lake has got a huge property tax interest, and they hold a lot of sway, and they should hold a lot of sway. But hopefully, the issues that pertain to the river also hold sway, and that?s what we are attempting to do.
Gallagher insists he will continue to monitor lake levels waiting for a 5 inch increase. That could come in the form of precipitation or from the dam reduction. And while only 2 inches of precipitation are needed to raise the lake level that 5 inches. The state is in the midst of a deep drought.
At the reduced discharge rate, the lake is expected to gain an inch about every 8 days. For NHPR News, I?m DG.
