many circumstances. From the analysis, and from our observation, we conclude 

 that the Ashuelot is a more intensively used river for waste discharge. 



9.3 Shifts in Lake-Resource Use 



Industrial water use declined after World War II, and flow-regulating lakes in 

 the Lamprey River basin were subsequently shifted to recreational uses. As 

 indicated previously, stabilized recreational lake-water levels resulted in loss of a 

 stream-flow regulation and considerable reduction in dry-month river-water 

 yield. 



Lakes in both watersheds are under development pressures. The super-highway 

 system places the Ashuelot basin within commuting distance from expanding 

 Connecticut River valley development in Massachusetts and Connecticut. The 

 Lamprey area is under pressure from expanding local population as well as 

 expanding population in northeastern Massachusetts. The values developed for 

 the Ashuelot would appear applicable to the lake resources of the Lamprey 

 River basin. 



There is at least one exception. The Ashuelot area may not be facing a 

 critical potable water supply problem for its expanding population and industry. 

 In contrast, the southeastern New Hampshire expanding population may face 

 such a crisis in the next half century. The reallocation from the low-flow 

 augmenting features of the Lamprey River basin lakes to recreational purposes 

 may have a large price. With 1,487 recreational acres valued at around $10,000 to 

 $15,000 per acre and 1,675 lake-surface acres valued at $100 to $150 per acre, 

 the cost of reversing the use of the lakes could easily amount to more than $ 1 5 

 million and might even be three or more times that amount if capital structures 

 are included. The cost of reallocating the use of these lakes may not only be 

 economically prohibitive but also poUtically infeasible. 



See New Hampshire Office of State Planning. Public Water Supply Study, Phase One 

 Report and Public Water Supply Study, Phase Two Report. Concord, New Hampshire: 

 Office of State Planning, 1968. 



60 



