Water Quality Issues Resulting from High Water

Storm events wash sediment, nutrients, pollutants from land to water affecting water clarity. LSPA staff and volunteers have been collecting water samples over the last few weeks and transparency, or water clarity, as measured with a Secchi Disk has been greatly reduced due to the heavy rains.

Below is a graphic showing how the Secchi Disk works followed by graphs of recent data illustrating the impact storms have had on lake clarity. The red boxes highlight the Secchi Disk readings in July, which were reduced in almost all of the locations monitored. Click here for more information about water quality parameters measured in the lab.

High Water Levels in the Lake Sunapee Watershed

Water levels continue to rise throughout our watershed. Weeks of heavy rain are continuing to impact roads, beaches and docks in our watershed. If you are boating, please use caution to avoid hazards floating in the water. Reduce your speed and don't create wakes that will damage inundated docks and erode shorelines. The DES dam bureau is letting water out of the Sunapee Dam at a consistently high rate, but the amount of rain and the need to protect homes and businesses downstream means that lake levels will remain high in the coming weeks.

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Diesel Fuel Spill in Sunapee Harbor on June 10th

June 14 update from the Town of Sunapee:

Sunapee Harbor Boat Launch is NOW Open! Containment Site Shrinks: The Boat Launch, Docks, and Gas Pumps Now Open

The Town of Sunapee is pleased to inform residents and visitors that the Town Boat Launch is now open and those wanting to use their boats and/or boat launch are welcome to do so!

We continue to appreciate the efforts of New Hampshire DES and the Sunapee Fire Department for their diligent care of the harbor spill clean-up.

Harbor businesses look forward to welcoming boaters, kayakers, and life back to the Harbor!

June 13 update from the Town of Sunapee:

Clean up efforts continue in the harbor. The spill site has been dramatically reduced as crews remove contaminants from the lake. The boat launch is closed; however, many of the previously closed boat slips are now open for use. The gas pumps are also open for use and local businesses remain open.

June 11 update on the diesel fuel spill in Sunapee Harbor:

The response by the Sunapee Fire Department, NH DES and Clean Harbors to Saturday night’s spill was rapid and effective. They worked late into Saturday night to contain the diesel fuel.

The water supply is safe and will continue to be tested over the next few days. The drinking water intake is 600 ft. away from the contained spill and 30 ft below the surface of the water.

Booms have contained the spill to the Harbor area and are protecting the Sugar River. Much of the diesel oil which is on the surface of the water, will be vacuumed out by Clean Harbors over the next few days. Over 3,000 gallons of oily water was vacuumed out last night shortly after the spill of approximately 70 gallons of diesel fuel occurred.

The Sunapee Harbor boat launch will be closed and will likely be closed for the next three days. However, local businesses will be operating as usual. Please continue to support our local businesses!

Boaters are encouraged to avoid this area of the lake as much as possible to allow cleanup efforts to proceed unimpeded. Minimizing your wake in all areas near the spill will help to reduce the spread of contaminants.

For those whose boats are within the containment area, Clean Harbor will be able to provide guidance and assistance in cleaning your boats, but it would be most helpful in the short term if you could be patient and avoid the Harbor area for now.

DES is working with the Town of Sunapee to reduce the size of the containment area to allow access to more boat slips.

The Fenton's reported the problem quickly to DES and are collaborating with DES in an effort to do everything possible to reduce the impact of the spill.

We will continue to provide updates as we learn more and as the results of water quality testing become available.

We are saddened to report that a diesel fuel spill occurred in Sunapee Harbor on Saturday evening June 10th. The full impact of the spill is as yet unknown, but we are grateful for the rapid response of Sunapee Fire Chief John Galloway who acted quickly to deploy booms and absorbent pads and to call in additional help. Backup was provided by the Sunapee Police Department, Newbury Fire Department, New Hampshire DES, and Clean Harbors. Sunapee Harbor will be closed until further notice.