Boaters urged to use caution this weekend due to heavy rains, high water

Heavy discharge at the Milton Three Ponds dam that stretches from Milton to Lebanon, Maine, continued today (Rochester Voice photo)

CONCORD - The New Hampshire Department of Safety and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services on Thursday began advising residents and visitors to the state to use caution due to extensive recent rainfall that has resulted in unusually high levels of water in lakes, ponds, rivers and others bodies of water across New Hampshire.

NHDES has had success throughout the day with increasing discharge from State-owned dams located on many of the large lakes. This increased discharge is allowing many of the lakes to start or continue decreasing from their maximum elevations experienced earlier this week.

For those who seek to enjoy the state's waters by boat, these high water levels can result in unforeseen hazards, including floating debris like tree limbs, broken sections of dock and other items. Hazards normally well-marked, and just under the surface of normal water levels, may also be more difficult to detect. Boaters are advised to use caution to avoid potential collisions that could result in injury or damage to vessels.

Damage to private and public property, such as boats breaking loose from moorings, loss of sections of dock and other structures, and land erosion on shorelines, may result from current high water levels. New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol is aware of these risks and is working diligently to monitor conditions, as well as manage and mitigate risk, and will maintain extra patrols to encourage boaters to operate safely. Boaters are encouraged to operate in a manner that is cognizant of these potential effects, and in compliance with rules requiring headway speed and safe passage.

Additionally, NHDES continues to monitor for the potential of elevated levels of bacteria in lakes and rivers where there has been high rainfall. Runoff from roads and parking lots can carry contaminants, such as nutrients and bacteria, into the state's waters. Residents and visitors may see oil slicks or large amounts of debris entering bodies of water from the excessive runoff, breached dams, and road or culvert washouts. Anyone in doubt should stay out and wait for flood waters to recede and lake levels to come back down. Residents and visitors can check the NHDES website for fecal bacteria and cyanobacteria beach and lake advisories before heading out.

Higher waters can create swift currents that are dangerous for boaters and swimmers. Areas near dams, bridges, culverts and the outlets of lakes are particularly dangerous. Boaters are reminded to enjoy the state's waterways carefully and responsibly, with operators properly trained and licensed, with functional lighting, sound-producing devices, and proper personal floatation devices of the right kind and number for the vessel and its occupants. As a reminder, life jackets are required for persons under age 13 at any time while upon a vessel that is underway.