Boaters Asked to Take No Wake Pledge

Eagle Times Staff
The Lake Sunapee Protective Association is appealing to boaters to help protect the lake’s shoreline and flood-threatened structures.

“Unprecedented circumstances require grassroots community action,” the organization said in an appeal for boaters to commit to a temporary no-wake pledge.

“We ask the community to help us protect Lake Sunapee and its watershed,” the group said.

With water levels high, wakes threaten the environment and water quality.

“Under these conditions, every wake has the potential to erode shorelines, degrade septic systems and harm nesting loons,” the group said in a prepared statement.

Slowing down will also protect the safety of residents, Marine Patrol and first responders, the group said.

“We must avoid anyone hitting a broken dock or partially submerged tree while using their boat/PWC at speed.”

Wakes combined with the high water levels will result in expensive repairs to the lighthouses, docks, cribs, retaining walls, and boathouses, the group said.

According to the association while the Sunapee Harbor Public Docks are closed, the Sunapee Harbor Boat Launch, local businesses are open and Sunapee Harbor Cruises are operating.

In Georges Mill, the boat launch and public docks are both open, as is the boat launch at Sunapee State Park. In Newbury, the town dock is closed.