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How exact are the depth contours?

The depth contours are the latest available official data, provided by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. These contours portray average depths, showing the deepest and shallowest areas as relatively smooth gradations.

But, as we all know, the Lake bottom is decidedly not smooth. Even the deepest areas are often studded with shoals, rocks, and other irregularities in all parts of the Lake. Areas shown between 20- and 40-foot contours, for example, are not necessarily consistently 20 to 40 feet deep at each and every point along those contours. Shoals can abruptly intersect generally deeper areas anywhere on the Lake.

Our charts show shoals, rocks, and buoys where they intersect generally deeper areas of the lakes. For example, a buoy in an area where depths are shown by the contours to be 20 to 40 feet means that a shallower boating hazard exists there. Boaters should take extra care in waters near any buoy or shoal shown on the chart.