Lakes Management and Protection
Ensuring the vitality of lakes and ponds as biological, social and economic assets of the state.
Lake management works to balance the multiple uses of lakes and ponds, while also protecting their health. The Lakes Management and Protection Program (LMPP) was created as a result of the recognition of competing uses of the state surface waters. The program, defined in RSA 483-A, promotes communication and coordinated action among the many stakeholders who use New Hampshire's lakes. Program staff provide technical assistance to the public on lake management issues.
Lakes Management Advisory Committee
The Lakes Management Advisory Committee (LMAC) advises NHDES on state-wide issues affecting lakes and ponds. The LMAC has 19 members representing lake-front municipalities, planning boards, conservation commissions, realtors, NH Lakes, the State Conservation Committee, the scientific community, tourism, business and industry, fishing, marine dealers, the Fish and Game Commission, conservation, and state agencies. The LMAC provides a forum for exchanging technical assistance and ideas among state and federal agencies, municipalities, private businesses, conservation interests, and the public regarding lake management issues. The LMAC provides input on state legislation related to lakes and ponds, making recommendations both to the NHDES Commissioner and to state legislators in support of healthy lakes and public access.
For more information on the LMAC, please visit the Lakes Management Advisory Committee website.
Are New Hampshire’s Lakes and Ponds Clean?
NHDES has surveyed over 600 lakes and ponds since the mid-1970s. The Lake Information Mapper contains water quality reports on these lakes and ponds, including VLAP two-page lake summaries, lake trophic reports, and detailed diagnostic studies.
How Do I Obtain Lake Water Quality Data?
Water Quality data is available on the OneStop Data Mapper for many of New Hampshire’s lakes and ponds. If you do not see the data you are looking for, or need it in a different format, email EMD@des.nh.gov with requests.
Do We Need a Lake Management Plan?
Developing a lake or watershed management plan is the first step to protecting the water quality in your lake, or improving lake health. NHDES staff can help by providing guidance, resources, examples of completed management plans, and ideas for potential funding sources.
Spotlights
VIEW ALL SPOTLIGHTS
Give Your Lake a Voice: Create a Lake Association
A lake association consists of volunteers who own land on or near a lake. Often, lake associations form when there are concerns about water quality or the use of the lake, and these volunteers want to take action. Members will work to raise concerns, become educated about problems, and work toward solutions. These groups can help influence ordinances and regulations for the betterment of their lakes.
It’s not easy being green
“Going green” is not always a good thing when it comes to waterbody appearances. Exposure to cyanobacteria in waterbodies can be dangerous and toxic for humans and animals. Cyanobacteria often appears as a kind of green scum in waterbodies, but it can have other appearances, too. If you think you have seen cyanobacteria in a waterbody, submit a Bloom Report Form and visit the NHDES Cyanobacteria page for further information.
Selling Developed Waterfront Property
Any developed waterfront property that is sold is required to have an on-site assessment study, to ensure that the site meet the current standards for septic disposal systems as established by NHDES. This information is a part of the purchase and sales agreement of the property. If you are selling waterfront property, find out if a site assessment study is required. Learn more about selling developed waterfront property!
Did you know?
Did you know?
There are almost 1,000 public lakes and ponds throughout New Hampshire. The complete list is available on New Hampshire’s Official List of Public Waters.