Raising lake levels in the spring and lowering them in the fall to accommodate waterfront dock protection creates a death trap for most aquatic flora and fauna.

Ongoing Projects

John Magee & Margaret Watkins working on Lake Horace Marsh

Lake Horace Marsh

Lake Horace Marsh is one of two legislatively designated “prime wetlands” in Weare, New Hampshire. It lies along the North Branch of the Piscataquog River, just above Abijah Bridge, a Town-owned bridge on Abijah Bridge Road. When there is water in it, this 181-acre marsh is spectacularly beautiful. Its ecological functions, however, are severely compromised by downstream dam operations. 

The Weare Reservoir Dam is owned by the State and managed for recreation and conservation. While often compatible goals, in the case at hand they are not. Raising lake levels in the spring and lowering them in the fall to accommodate waterfront dock protection creates a death trap for most aquatic flora and fauna. Attempts to alter the State’s dam management have failed. 

Wildlife surveys throughout the marsh reflect drastic reductions from numbers one would expect of waterfowl, amphibians, furbearers, aquatic reptiles, and insects. The fall drawdown almost guarantees high mortality for animals that have prepared for freezing conditions when the water was high. The spring fill-up floods waterfowl nests and creates harsh conditions for fish redds and hatched fry. 

The Town is planning to replace Abijah Bridge and has agreed to work with project partners to integrate a low dam into the bridge structure at the mouth of the marsh, thereby stabilizing water levels throughout the year. Upon completion, the Town will own the dam.

PLC is proud to be a lead partner in this project, along with project partners:

• Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

• NH Department of Environmental Services (DES)

• NH Fish & Game Department

• Town of Weare, NH Department of Transportation (DOT)

For more information on the Lake Horace Marsh restoration project, please contact us.