lake level

Lake Levels have been a topic of concern on Lake Sunapee since the founding of LSPA over 125 years ago. The mill owners downstream wanted continuous water power for the mill works, while the tourist economy of Lake Sunapee prioritized minimizing the variation in lake level. The New Hampshire legislature at the time developed the perspective that all lakes should be managed for public benefit. In 1905, LSPA and other parties agreed that the lake level should be maintained within the range of 1,108.5' and 1,111.5' elevation. Those levels were modified slightly at one point in history, but the variation of three feet still holds. The New Hampshire Dam Bureau, who currently manages the lake level, continues to have that range as its goal.  

Click here to watch a presentation on lake level management on Lake Sunapee.

Click here to see real-time lake level data from NHDES.