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45-453: The Suncook Lakes are a pair of lakes located in Belknap County in central New Hampshire , United States, in the town of Barnstead . Upper Suncook Lake encompasses 402 acres (1.63 km), while Lower Suncook Lake covers 295 acres (1.19 km). The lakes are connected by a 1,000-foot-long (300 m) channel, spanned by a road bridge. A dam at the outlet of Lower Suncook Lake controls

90-526: A cluster of islands including Long Island (the largest island in the lake), Cow Island, Little Bear Island, Sandy Island, and dozens of smaller islands and islets. The 7-mile-long (11 km) Moultonborough Neck separates the length of the bay from the main axis of the lake, and the Suissevale development in the town of Moultonborough is at the northern tip of the bay. Melvin Village , the main lakeside village of

135-536: A family was $ 64,875. Males had a median income of $ 46,378 versus $ 34,690 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 28,517. About 5.2% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over. Belknap County has become the most Republican county in New Hampshire : the Republican Party is the majority political party in

180-475: A female householder with no husband present, and 3% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.91. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 26.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

225-571: A sightseeing boat, carrying up to 125 people on her two cruises a day as she delivers mail, and sells ice cream and snacks to residents of the islands she serves. In 2018 and 2019, the M/V Doris E. replaced the Sophie C. as mail boat while the latter was undergoing repairs. The steamship Dover , 150 feet (46 m) in length, captained by Winborn Sanborn, operated by the Cocheco Railroad, traveled

270-557: A variety of land and water recreational activities. There are numerous hiking trails in and around the surrounding mountains, which include the Ossipee Mountains to the east, the Belknap Range to the west, and Red Hill to the north. The paddlesteamer MS  Mount Washington , named after the highest of New Hampshire's White Mountains , was launched in spring 1872 to carry mail, goods, and passengers on Lake Winnipesaukee, under

315-401: A warmwater fishery, with observed species including smallmouth and largemouth bass , chain pickerel , horned pout , and white perch . Rainbow trout can be found in the deeper Upper Suncook Lake. This New Hampshire state location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Belknap County, New Hampshire Belknap County ( / ˈ b ɛ l n æ p / )

360-829: Is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire . As of the 2020 census , the population was 63,705. The county seat is Laconia . It is located in New Hampshire's Lakes Region , slightly southeast of the state's geographic center. Belknap County comprises the Laconia, NH Micropolitan Statistical Area , which in turn constitutes a portion of the Boston - Worcester - Providence , MA - RI -NH- CT Combined Statistical Area . The southwestern half of Lake Winnipesaukee lies in Belknap County, while several other major lakes such as Squam Lake and Lake Winnisquam lie partially or wholly within

405-528: Is a glacial lake but an unusual one, since the last glaciation actually reversed the flow of its waters. Draining the central portion of New Hampshire, it once flowed southeast, leaving via what is now Alton Bay toward the Atlantic Ocean . When glacial debris blocked this path, flow was redirected westward through Paugus Bay into the Winnipesaukee River. The latter flows west from the lake and joins

450-539: Is a Y-shaped bay with two branches, separated from the Broads by Wolfeboro Neck and Tuftonboro Neck. Winter Harbor is surrounded by many quiet resort communities in the towns of Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro . It also has panoramic views of the Belknap Mountains and looks out toward Rattlesnake Island . The longest bay on Winnipesaukee is Moultonborough Bay. It is connected to the Broads by some narrow straits running between

495-463: Is a long peninsula known as Meredith Neck. Formerly a hydrologically distinct lake, Paugus Bay became joined to Winnipesaukee when the dam at Lakeport was constructed, raising the surface of Paugus Bay to be contiguous with Winnipesaukee. Paugus Bay joins the main lake in Meredith Bay, running south from a narrow channel connecting it to Meredith Bay. At the northern end of Paugus Bay, where it joins

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540-753: Is indented by several peninsulas, yielding a total shoreline of approximately 288 miles (463 km). The driving distance around the lake is 63 miles (101 km). It is 504 feet (154 m) above sea level. Winnipesaukee is the third-largest lake in New England after Lake Champlain and Moosehead Lake . Outflow is regulated by the Lakeport Dam in Lakeport, New Hampshire , on the Winnipesaukee River . The Abenaki name Winnipesaukee (often spelled Winnipiseogee in earlier centuries ) means either "smile of

585-547: Is known for its annual Ice-Out Contest, in which people try to guess the earliest date that the Mount Washington can safely leave her port in Center Harbor and motor to four other ports ( Weirs Beach , Alton Bay , Wolfeboro , and Meredith ). Since records began in 1851, ice-out has happened as early as March 17, in 2024 and as late as May 12, although 90 percent of the time it is declared during April. This official ruling

630-596: Is made up of all of the members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the county. In total, there are 18 members from nine different districts. After the 2022 elections, the party distribution and representatives were as follows. There are ten towns and one city in Belknap County. 43°31′N 71°25′W  /  43.52°N 71.42°W  / 43.52; -71.42 Lake Winnipesaukee The lake contains at least 264 islands, half of which are less than 0.25 acres (0.10 ha) in size, and

675-432: Is the largest video game arcade in the world. Belknap County was organized in 1840 by removing parts of northeastern Merrimack County and northwestern Strafford County . It is named for Dr. Jeremy Belknap , a renowned preacher, historian, and author of The History of New Hampshire . The first County Court was held within the town of Meredith , at a village known as Meredith Bridge on the Winnipesaukee River . In 1855,

720-681: The Pemigewasset River in Franklin to form the Merrimack River , which flows south to Massachusetts and into the Atlantic. Center Harbor witnessed the first intercollegiate sporting event in the United States, as Harvard defeated Yale by two lengths in the first Harvard–Yale Regatta on August 3, 1852. The outcome was repeated 100 years later when the schools celebrated the centennial of

765-421: The poverty line , including 7.60% of those under age 18 and 4.90% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 60,088 people, 24,766 households, and 16,609 families living in the county. The population density was 150.1 inhabitants per square mile (58.0/km ). There were 37,386 housing units at an average density of 93.4 per square mile (36.1/km ). The racial makeup of

810-644: The Great Spirit" or "beautiful water in a high place". At the outlet of the lake, the Winnipesaukee people, a subtribe of the Pennacook , lived and fished at a village called Acquadocton. Today, the site is called The Weirs , named for the weirs that were noted by the colonists when first exploring the region. Lake Winnipesaukee has been a popular tourist destination for more than a century, particularly among residents of Boston and New York City . Winnipesaukee

855-462: The U.S. mail boat M/V Sophie C . Along with the rest of New Hampshire's Lakes Region , which also encompasses Lake Winnisquam , Lake Wentworth , Squam Lake , Newfound Lake , and numerous other smaller lakes and ponds, Winnipesaukee has been a vacation community for at least a century, particularly drawing people from the Boston region. The area is home to numerous summer theater troupes and offers

900-406: The age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.9% were non-families, and 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 44.7 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 54,929 and the median income for

945-436: The county was 96.6% white, 1.2% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 20.8% were English , 20.7% were Irish , 8.5% were Italian , 8.0% were German , 7.1% were French Canadian , and 6.6% were American . Of the 24,766 households, 28.5% had children under

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990-764: The county, holding 15 of 18 seats in the General Court as of January 2021. Since 1888 , only three Democrats have won Belknap County: Woodrow Wilson in 1912 when the Republican Party was mortally divided between William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt ; 1964 , when Lyndon B. Johnson swept the Northeast due to Republican Barry Goldwater 's conservative views regarding the Civil Rights Movement ; and 2008 , when Barack Obama swept every county in New England bar one. In 2020, Senator Jeanne Shaheen became

1035-639: The county. The Belknap Mountains lie along the shore of Winnipesaukee east of Laconia and feature Mount Major , known for its numerous hiking trails and Gunstock Mountain , home of a popular ski resort . Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion is a concert venue in Gilford which features major national touring music acts, while the Laconia Motorcycle Week attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every June. Funspot Family Fun Center , located in Weirs Beach ,

1080-401: The county. The population density was 140 inhabitants per square mile (54/km ). There were 32,121 housing units at an average density of 80 units per square mile (31/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 97.61% White , 0.29% Black or African American , 0.30% Native American , 0.55% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.16% from other races , and 1.06% from two or more races. 0.74% of

1125-544: The first Democrat to win Belknap County in a Senate race in over 50 years. The executive power of Belknap County's government is held by three county commissioners, each representing one of the three commissioner districts within the county. In addition to the County Commission, there are five directly elected officials: they include County Attorney, Register of Deeds, County Sheriff, Register of Probate, and County Treasurer. The legislative branch of Belknap County

1170-479: The flag of the Boston and Maine Railroad . With a hull length of 178 feet (54 m) and a beam of 49 feet (15 m) she appeared as a typical representative of the North American sidewheelers around the second half of the century and was the largest steamer on the lake at that time. The huge paddle wheels were driven by a single-cylinder steam engine of 450 hp (340 kW) at approximately 26 rpm. The power

1215-423: The lake are: The Broads are a wide portion of Lake Winnipesaukee largely in Belknap County and extending slightly into Carroll County . It is a large island-free zone occupying the center of the lake. Running along the main axis of the lake, the northwestern tip of the Broads is at the town of Center Harbor , while the southeastern end lies between the towns of Alton and Wolfeboro . Meredith Bay lies at

1260-580: The lake in the 1850s. The Dover was lengthened to 162 feet (49 m) and renamed the Chocorua and sank in the late 1860s. It was refloated, but by the 1870s the new Mount Washington had replaced it. The Alton Bay Seaplane Base is a state-owned, public-use seaplane base in Alton Bay , the southeast arm of the lake. In the winter it is the only FAA-approved ice runway in the contiguous United States , conditions permitting. Average summertime on or next to

1305-416: The lake per day during the summer season, as well as numerous dinner dance cruises in the evenings. The M/V Sophie C. is the oldest, and one of only two currently operating, floating United States Postal Service post offices. Floating post office service was started on Lake Winnipesaukee in 1892, and currently delivers mail daily to eight of the lake's islands between June and September. The Sophie C.

1350-430: The main lake, is Weirs Beach , the largest and most visited public beach on the lake. At the other end is the village of Lakeport. Both Weirs Beach and Lakeport are villages within the city of Laconia. The eastern shore of the bay is closely followed by U.S. Route 3 , and has numerous motels, hotels, inns, and bungalow complexes. The western shore is much less developed. Alton Bay is a narrow bay which runs due south from

1395-435: The new Mount Washington ' s engines and boilers were removed for use in a navy vessel during World War II. After the war, Mount Washington returned to the water. The ship was a success in the post-war tourist boom. In 1982, Mount Washington was cut open and extended with an additional 20-foot (6.1 m) hull section to add larger lounge and food service facilities. Still popular, she makes one or two round trips on

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1440-435: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.2% were of English , 13.6% Irish , 13.3% French , 12.2% French Canadian , 8.5% American , 6.9% Italian and 5.7% German ancestry. 95.0% spoke English , 2.7% French and 1.2% Spanish as their first language. There were 22,459 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 9.20% had

1485-436: The race by again competing on Lake Winnipesaukee (Harvard winning by 2.7 seconds). The communities that surround the lake, clockwise from the southernmost town, are: The lake consists of a wide, relatively open central region known as the Broads, surrounded by several large bays , as well as many smaller inlets. The daytime speed limit for boats on the entire lake is 45 miles per hour (72 km/h). The main sections of

1530-410: The southern corner of the main lake. It lies entirely within the town of Alton . The village of Alton Bay lies at the extreme southern tip. Wolfeboro Bay is a relatively small wide bay lying in the town of Wolfeboro , creating a small northerly bulge in the shoreline to the eastern edge of Winnipesaukee. A series of smaller lakes and streams connects Wolfeboro Bay to Lake Wentworth . Winter Harbor

1575-490: The town of Laconia was separated from Meredith. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 469 square miles (1,210 km ), of which 400 square miles (1,000 km ) are land and 68 square miles (180 km ) (15%) are water. It is the second-smallest county in New Hampshire by area. Most of the county's water area is part of Lake Winnipesaukee . As of the census of 2000, there were 56,325 people, 22,459 households, and 15,496 families living in

1620-656: The town of Tuftonboro lies along the northeastern shore of the bay, closer to where it joins the Broads. There are at least 258 natural islands on Lake Winnipesaukee that are at least 3 feet (0.9 m) above lake level and contain vegetation, about 130 of which are over .25 acres (0.10 ha) in size. 26 of these are 25 acres (10 ha) or larger: Six islands are connected to the mainland by bridges (Black Cat, Governors, Long, Oak, Christmas (or Plummers) in Paugus Bay , and Worcester), and another eight (Bear, Birch, Cow, East Bear, Jolly, Loon, Three Mile, and Sandy) are served by

1665-468: The upper 70s F (around 25 °C) in late July and cools into the 60s (around 18 °C) in September. Several days of hot, humid weather at the height of summer can bring the water temperature well above 80 °F (26 °C). It normally freezes during the last week of December. Ice thickness during a typical winter can be in excess of 18 inches (460 mm) in many parts of the lake. Lake Winnipesaukee

1710-653: The water brings days around 80 °F (26 °C), with overnight lows around 65 °F (18 °C). Less than one-half mile (800 m) away from the water, days can be warmer and nights cooler by several degrees. Summer's most extreme temperatures away from the water may be as high as 100 °F (38 °C) and as low as 50 °F (10 °C). A typical winter day brings a maximum of 28 °F (−2 °C) with overnight minimum around 15 °F (−9 °C). Typical wintertime extremes are 50 °F (10 °C) and −20 °F (−30 °C) but even greater extremes have been recorded nearby. The water temperature typically reaches

1755-456: The water level of both lakes. The lakes are located along the Suncook River , a tributary of the Merrimack River . There are three islands on Lower Lake. Lower Suncook Lake has an average depth of 9 feet (2.7 m) and a maximum depth of 16 feet (4.9 m), while Upper Suncook Lake has a greater average depth and a maximum depth greater than 40 feet (12 m). The lakes are classified as

1800-441: The western edge of Winnipesaukee. At the northern tip of Meredith Bay is the main village of the town of Meredith . Paugus Bay branches off to the south of Meredith Bay at Weirs Beach , near to where Meredith Bay joins the main body of the lake. Meredith Bay is separated from the Broads by a relatively narrow strait bordered by Governors Island to the south and Stonedam Island to the north. The northeastern shore of Meredith Bay

1845-414: Was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.10 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 43,605, and the median income for a family was $ 50,510. Males had a median income of $ 34,741 versus $ 25,445 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 22,758. About 4.50% of families and 6.10% of the population were below

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1890-514: Was a time of extremely low water and the hull was stuck fast in the mud of the lake bottom. Soon after, a local company was formed to build a new ship. Since Europe was already at war, and the US was stocking steel in a pre-war munitions build-up obtaining steel was impossible. Instead, they purchased an old sidewheel vessel on Lake Champlain: the Chateaugay , a 203-foot (62 m), iron-hulled sidewheeler that

1935-494: Was being used as a club house for the Burlington yacht club. It was cut into sections by Boston General Ship & Engine Works and transported to Lake Winnipesaukee on rail cars. A new twin-screw vessel was designed for the hull being welded back together at Lakeport. Powered by two steam engines taken from another ocean-going yacht, the new MS Mount Washington made her maiden voyage on August 15, 1940. Two years after her launch,

1980-516: Was built by Boston General Ship & Engine Works in 1945 to temporarily replace the Mount Washington , whose engines and boilers had been commandeered by the Navy during World War II , and she took over the mail route from the Uncle Sam II in 1969. As a floating post office, Sophie C. delivers mail Monday-Saturday, sells postage, and collects and postmarks outgoing mail. Sophie C. also operates as

2025-460: Was transferred from the vertical single cylinder to the wheel shaft by the walking beam, high above the upper deck, oscillating in the frequency of the paddle wheels. Known as "The Mount", her kitchen and restaurant service became famous. On December 23, 1939, a nearby railroad station caught fire from an overheated stove. The fire soon spread to the ship, tied at the dock, and destroyed it. Efforts to cut Mount Washington loose were to no avail as it

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