Drawdowns scheduled for local lakes and ponds

CONCORD — The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) yesterday announced the schedule for the annual drawdown of lakes and ponds controlled by dams owned by the agency, which includes haf-a-dozen water bodies in Belknap County.

In Laconia, Lake Opechee, which is normall drawn down in even-numbered years and was drawn down in 2014, will be drawn down again this year by five feet beginning on October 12. The drawn down is necessary to enable volatile organic compounds in sediment on the bank of the Winnipesaukee River just upstream of the Avery Dam , where the River's Edge apartment building is under construction, to be excavated and removed. The work is expected to require five business day and and the water levels of the lake and river will be restored once it is complete.

In Gilmanton, Crystal Lake on the Suncook River, will be drawn down three feet, Sawyer Lake on Badger Brook will be drawn down three feet and Shellcamp Pond on Academy Brook will be drawn down two feet — all beginning on October 12.

In Barnstead, Barnstead Parade and Suncook Lakes, both on the Suncook River, will be drawn down one-and-a-half feet and five feet respectively beginning on October 12.

The draw downs are conducted to reduce damage to shoreline properties from ice in the winter and flooding in the spring as well as to provide property owners an opportunity to undertake necessary repairs to their property.