Fall Lake Drawdown in NH: Why Some Lakes Drop and Lake Winnipesaukee Does Not
Fall Lake Drawdown in NH: Why Some Lakes Drop and Lake Winnipesaukee Does Not
The State of New Hampshire draws down the lakes and ponds behind its own dams each fall to reduce winter ice damage to shoreline property and to reduce spring flooding. Lake Winnipesaukee is not on that list: NHDES says it is "not purposely drawn down in the fall." The 2026 drawdowns began Monday, October 12.
Why NHDES draws lakes down in the fall
Here is how NHDES puts it: the Dam Bureau draws down lakes and ponds controlled by NHDES-owned dams every fall to reduce winter ice damage to shoreline properties and to reduce spring flooding. With less water against the shore, ice has less to push on, and there is more room to hold snowmelt and spring rain.
One detail that trips people up: the depth on the state's table is measured from the normal full pond level, not from wherever the lake sits today. NHDES also says those levels can vary through the winter with ice and weather, and that the larger lakes generally do not reach their full drawdowns until mid or late March.
What the 2026 schedule lists
The 2026 table on the NHDES site lists an October 12 start for Newfound Lake (2.5 feet), Ossipee Lake (3.25 feet), Squam Lake (2.5 feet), Opechee Bay (5 feet) and Winnisquam Lake (2 feet). Lake Kanasatka in Moultonborough is listed to start November 2, at 1.5 feet. The list is long, so if your lake is not named here, check the table for your own water body.
NHDES also says the 2026 schedule will take drought conditions into account, and that drawdown dates could be adjusted to a later date depending on lake and river levels at the time. In other words, treat the dates as the plan, not a promise.
Opechee and Winnisquam: a two-year interval
Opechee Lake and Winnisquam Lake work a little differently. According to the state's 2026 announcement, their drawdowns occur on a two-year interval and last only about two weeks, and this is a drawdown year. Opechee started coming down on October 12. It takes about two days for that water to pass through to Winnisquam, so Winnisquam is not expected to drop noticeably until October 14. On October 26, flows at Lakeport Dam are increased to refill Opechee, and Winnisquam should begin rising late on October 27.
Why Lake Winnipesaukee is different
The state is clear that Winnipesaukee is not purposely drawn down in the fall. What does happen is a maintenance pause. After Columbus Day, releases from Lakeport Dam drop from a normal minimum of 250 cubic feet per second to between 30 and 50 cfs for up to two weeks, so the dams and hydropower facilities on the Winnipesaukee River can be maintained. NHDES says that range is the minimum flow needed to protect aquatic life downstream. In 2026 that reduction began on October 12.
As for the water level, NHDES says that by mid-fall Winnipesaukee is on average about 15 inches below its springtime full level, from evaporation and summer releases. This summer's drought put the lake at that elevation already. With less water leaving the dam, the state does not expect a significant drop for the rest of October, and if drought eases it expects the level to stay relatively stable through December. Depending on snowpack, the lake may be lowered further starting in January, to as much as two feet below normal full.
What buyers should know
If you are looking at a lake house this fall, ask which lake you are really on, because the answer changes what you will see at the shoreline. A dock that sits in comfortable water in August can look very different in November or March. Drawdown season is a good time to see the shoreline, the bottom near a dock, and the condition of a seawall, so I like to walk it with buyers. Ask the seller how the dock, ramp and any stone work hold up at lower water.
Buying a waterfront home is also a chance to ask what kind of shoreline work has been permitted. If a property has a dock or retaining wall, ask for the paperwork, not just the story.
Repairs during a drawdown
NHDES notes that drawdowns give owners a chance to make needed repairs to waterfront property, but only after securing a permit from the NHDES Wetlands Bureau first (603-271-2147). That matches state law: RSA 482-A:3 says no person shall excavate, remove, fill, dredge or construct any structures in or on any bank, flat, marsh or swamp adjacent to state waters without a permit from the department. So low water is not a loophole. Get the permit before the first shovel goes in.
The state also passes along a recommendation from NH Fish and Game: special drawdowns for projects like retaining walls or private boat ramps should happen only once every five years. If you want one, call the NHDES Dam Bureau right after you have your permits, so it can be coordinated with other work on the same water body.
FAQ: fall lake drawdowns in NH
Is Lake Winnipesaukee drawn down in the fall? No. NHDES says it is not purposely drawn down in the fall. After Columbus Day, Lakeport Dam releases drop to 30-50 cfs for up to two weeks for maintenance, starting October 12 in 2026.
How much does Lake Winnipesaukee drop in the fall? NHDES says that by mid-fall it averages about 15 inches below its springtime full level, from evaporation and summer releases, and that this year's drought already put it there.
When do the 2026 fall drawdowns start? The 2026 NHDES table lists October 12 for many lakes, including Newfound, Ossipee, Squam, Opechee Bay and Winnisquam, with other start dates for some lakes. Drought could push dates later.
Do I need a permit to repair my dock or seawall during a drawdown? Yes. NHDES says owners must first secure a permit from the Wetlands Bureau, and RSA 482-A:3 requires a state permit for building structures in or on banks and flats of state waters.
Thinking about the Lakes Region?
Lake levels are one of those details you only learn by asking, and I am always glad to talk through what a given shoreline looks like through the seasons. Want the local market every month? Get the Love NH Lakes magazine free.
Straight to the source: America.gov
America.gov is the government's newest one-stop site, meant to make all of our lives a little easier. Ask a question in plain English and it answers from official federal, state and local agency websites. It's free, with no ads and no account. Here are direct links to answers on this post's topics:
Buyers: How do I find out if a home is in a flood zone? →
Private wells: How should I test my private well water in New Hampshire? →
America.gov is brand new and still growing, so links and answers can change. It uses AI, so check the official source links it shows. We'll keep giving you direct links the best we can and keep them up to date, so check back for changes.
Cami Navoy - Cami Navoy & Associates, Keller Williams Lakes & Mountains Realty, Meredith, NH
