Resources

• LAC Member Nomination Form: For new or renewing LAC members.
• LAC Biennial Report Form: Share your LAC's accomplishments with the RMAC, legislature and more!
• Protected River Sign Request Form: Let the public know when they are crossing your river!

River water is held by the state for the public trust. Public access sites include both state-run and locally-managed boat trailer and cartop access sites. Many rivers also have informal access sites, such as pull-off areas near bridges. 

• Map of Public Boat Access Sites in New Hampshire.
• Available real time data on river and lake levels in New Hampshire.
• Public Water Access Advisory Board (PWAAB).

Minimum water quantities (flow) is protected in New Hampshire's designated rivers. The Instream Flow Program determines the seasonal flows necessary to support both natural aquatic habitats and human uses. Staff then work with water users and dam owners to ensure that water use needs are met while also maintaining protected flows during periods of unusually low flow, including droughts. The program annually performs a wide range of field activities to collect the environmental data necessary to develop protected instream flow values and evaluate the success of instream flow management.

• NHDES Instream Flow Program.
• For a particular river, select from the list to the right (or below on a phone).
• Video: What is instream flow?
   

Water quality depends on shoreland homeowners and responsible development. The LACs comment on shoreland permits under the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act and can also provide voluntary education to homeowners along the river. See the permit review page for additional resources about shoreland permits.

• Shoreland Act FAQ.
• Application of Shoreland Protections to Designated Rivers Fact Sheet.
• Shoreland Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater Management.
• Soak Up the Rain.
• Shoreland Erosion Control Fact Sheet.

NHDES partners with volunteers across the state to monitor water quality in designated rivers.

• Surface Water Quality Assessment Mapper: Provides water quality data searchable by waterbody. 
• Volunteer River Assessment Program (VRAP).
• Available real-time data on river and lake levels in New Hampshire.
• NHDES River and Lake Monitoring.
• NHDES Instream Flow Program.

• To report a potential permit or water quality violation, see the Complaints page of the NHDES website for direction.
• Information about aquatic invasive species.
• Information about non-aquatic invasive plants, including wetland invasive plants.
• Native Shoreland/Riparian Buffer Plantings for New Hampshire.
• For documents not listed here, contact riversprogram@des.nh.gov.