New interactive map helps NH boaters reduce impacts on lakes

New Hampshire's lakes are among the state's most treasured natural resources, supporting recreation, tourism, wildlife habitat, drinking water supplies, and local economies. To help protect these valuable waters, NH LAKES has launched a new interactive Lake-Friendly Boating Map that helps boaters visualize recommended boating distances from shore, water depths, and sensitive lake areas.

The map serves as the centerpiece of NH LAKES' new Lake-Friendly Boating Initiative, an effort to educate and empower boaters to reduce their impact on lake ecosystems while continuing to enjoy all that New Hampshire's lakes have to offer. As boating activity continues to grow across the state, boaters play an increasingly important role in helping.

The initiative is built around a simple message:

Every boat. Every lake. Leave no trace.

"Many boaters want to do the right thing but aren't always sure what that looks like on a particular lake," Andrea LaMoreaux, President of NH LAKES, said. "Our Lake-Friendly Boating Map puts practical information at their fingertips and helps translate lake-friendly practices into action." 

The Lake-Friendly Boating Initiative focuses on five key areas where boaters can help protect New Hampshire waters: protecting water quality, preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, reducing impacts to shorelines and lake bottoms, respecting wildlife, and protecting native aquatic plants.

Fuel spills, sewage discharge, litter, and excess nutrients can contribute to water quality problems, including harmful cyanobacteria blooms. NH LAKES encourages boaters to maintain engines, fuel carefully, dispose of waste properly, and avoid using soaps and cleaning products in the lakes.

Aquatic invasive species such as milfoil, zebra mussels, and spiny waterflea can permanently alter lake ecosystems and are extremely difficult and costly to manage once established. Boaters are encouraged to follow the "Clean, Drain, Dry" method every time they move between waterbodies. Through its Lake Host Program, NH LAKES has helped prevent more than 1,600 potential invasive species introductions through boat inspections across the state.

Operating too close to shore or in shallow water can increase erosion, disturb sediments, and damage sensitive habitats. The interactive Lake-Friendly Boating Map allows boaters to explore recommended setbacks and water depths on participating lakes.

In general, boaters can help reduce impacts by operating at headway speed within 150 feet of shore and cruising in at least 10 feet of water. The larger and heavier the boat, the greater the benefit of operating farther from shore and in deeper water.

For wakesports that generate larger wakes, NH LAKES recommends operating at least 500 feet from shore and in water deeper than 20 feet whenever possible to help reduce shoreline erosion and sediment disturbance.

New Hampshire lakes provide critical habitat for loons, eagles, turtles, fish, and many other species. Boaters can help by slowing down near sensitive areas, keeping a respectful distance from wildlife, and following posted signage around nesting and habitat areas.

Native aquatic plants help maintain healthy lake ecosystems by improving water quality, stabilizing sediments, and providing important habitat for fish and wildlife. Boaters can help protect these plants by avoiding dense plant beds, trimming motors in shallow water, and using designated moorings when available.

"Lake-friendly boating is not about limiting recreation," said LaMoreaux. "It's about ensuring that boating, fishing, paddling, swimming, watersports, and wildlife watching can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. Every boater has an opportunity to be part of the solution."

Boaters are encouraged to explore the interactive Lake-Friendly Boating Map, learn lake-friendly boating practices, and access free educational resources at nhlakes.org/lake-friendly-boating.