New Hampshire's Waters: Lakes, Rivers, and Coast

Despite its small size (9,349 sq mi), New Hampshire is water-rich. The state boasts ~1,300 lakes/ponds, 10,000+ miles of rivers/streams, and 18 miles of Atlantic coastline. Here are the highlights:

Major Lakes

• Lake Winnipesaukee – Largest (72 sq mi), 250+ islands, boating/fishing mecca, "The Lake" to locals.
• Squam Lake – Pristine, quiet, "On Golden Pond" filming location, loons, kayaking.
• Newfound Lake – Deep, clear, spring-fed; great swimming, hiking (Mt. Cardigan views).
• Mirror Lake – Dartmouth College (Hanover), mountain reflections, serene paddling.
• Others: Sunapee, Ossipee, Umbagog (border), First/Second Connecticut Lakes (headwaters).

Major Rivers

• Connecticut River – New England's longest (410 mi), forms NH/VT border, historic transport corridor, now recreation.
• Merrimack River – Largest entirely within NH (117 mi), powered Industrial Revolution mills (Manchester, Nashua), now cleanup success story.
• Piscataqua River – Tidal estuary, Portsmouth harbor, Great Bay gateway.
• Saco, Androscoggin, Pemigewasset, Ammonoosuc – White Mountain whitewater, hydro, scenery.

Coastal Waters

• Atlantic Coastline – 18 miles but packed: Hampton Beach (boardwalk), Rye Beach (rocky), Wallis Sands, Odiorne Point State Park (tidepools, history).
• Great Bay – Inland tidal estuary (Portsmouth), 4,500 acres, oyster farms, eelgrass beds, National Estuarine Research Reserve.
• Isles of Shoals – 9 rocky islands (5 NH, 4 ME), 6 miles offshore, bird nesting, history, day trips.

Water defines New Hampshire recreation: fishing (trout, bass, salmon), boating, swimming, ice fishing, leaf-peeping by lake, and hydroelectric power.