NH LAKES has launched a new interactive Lake-Friendly Boating Map as part of a statewide initiative aimed at helping boaters reduce their impact on New Hampshire lakes and ponds.
The online map provides information on recommended boating distances from shore, water depths and environmentally sensitive areas. It is the centerpiece of the nonprofit’s new Lake-Friendly Boating Initiative, which encourages responsible boating practices through the message, “Every Boat. Every Lake. Leave No Trace.”
The initiative focuses on five areas: protecting water quality, preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, reducing impacts on shorelines and lake bottoms, respecting wildlife and protecting native aquatic plants.
NH LAKES recommends that boaters operate at headway speed within 150 feet of shore and, when possible, in water at least 10 feet deep. For wakesports that generate larger wakes, the organization recommends operating at least 500 feet from shore and in water deeper than 20 feet.
The organization also encourages boaters to follow the “Clean, Drain, Dry” method when moving boats between water bodies to help prevent the spread of invasive species. Through its Lake Host Program, NH LAKES reports that it has helped prevent more than 1,600 potential invasive species introductions through statewide boat inspections.
New Hampshire is home to nearly 1,000 lakes and ponds. The interactive map and educational resources are available at nhlakes.org/lake-friendly-boating.
Established in 1992, NH LAKES is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring New Hampshire’s lakes through education, advocacy and conservation efforts.
