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Residents press Select Board to push NHDES review after Salem’s withdrawals lower Canobie Lake
Summary
Multiple Canobie Lake residents told the Select Board that Salem's withdrawals have dropped lake levels, harmed recreation and wildlife, and may exceed historic safe-yield estimates; the board agreed to ask Town Counsel to review legal rights and to invite state reps to a lake association meeting.
At the Select Board meeting, residents from Canobie Lake described sharply lower water levels they attribute to pumping operations tied to Salem. Kani Wijayasiri, speaking for a group of residents, said Salem "has been pumping over 5 million gallons per day from the lake, significantly exceeding the 1996 safe yield limit of 2 million gallons per day," and urged the town to ask NHDES for an updated safe-yield assessment and clarification of the regulatory framework.
Other residents described grounded boats, dead fish and turtles near docks, and disruptions to recreational use. Brian McCarthy and Chris Therriault described boats hitting submerged telephone poles and an inability to use personal watercraft and boats. Several residents asked the board to involve state representatives; the board agreed by consensus to encourage Windham’s state representatives to attend the Canobie Lake Protective Association meeting on Aug. 23 and asked the Town Administrator to have Town Counsel review Windham’s legal rights regarding the lake.
