
Newfound Lake is the 8th clearest lake in the United States
New Hampshire has a multitude of lakes that draw visitors and vacation homeowners from all over the country. The most well-known are Winnipesaukee and Squam; however, I remember a geography project I was doing in high school on Newfound Lake in the 1960s; back then, it was called one of the cleanest lakes in the country by National Geographic. When I was in grammar school, my parents would bring my siblings and I to Wellington State Park Beach and I always remember how crystal clear the bottom of the lake was from the swim raft.
Yes, Newfound Lake is still a jewel of a lake, a true treasure, with water clarity that is unbelievable and forested mountain ranges in the background. Located in Grafton County, in the heart of the Lakes Region, the towns of Alexandria, Bridgewater, Bristol, and Hebron surround this 4,451-acre lake, New Hampshire’s 3rd largest lake contained within the state. It is considered one of the deepest lakes in New Hampshire with a maximum depth of 183 feet and an average depth of 74 feet. This glacial lake has a maximum length of 6 miles with a maximum width of 2.4 miles.
Ask any resident around Newfound Lake about its water quality and you’ll get an earful. The local residents praise and take so much pride in the quality of their lake and for good reason. AZanimals.com, on September 29, 2022, listed the 10 cleanest lakes in the United States. The site noted there are thousands of lakes in the USA (111,819 according to the National Lake Assessment), including 12,000 in Minnesota alone! However, not all lakes are created equal; there are some that are truly special. Guess what? Newfound Lake was ranked the 9th cleanest lake in the USA on their site. Also, on vacationsmadeeasy.com, lifestyle.com, getawaycouple.com, and flavorverse.com, Newfound Lake was ranked the 8th clearest lake in the country. Smartertravel.com ranked Newfound Lake as the 2nd most swimmable lake in America on its top 10 list. All of these rankings are very impressive when you think about the fact that there are 111,819 lakes in the country!
SO, WHAT ARE THE UNDERLYING REASONS FOR NEWFOUND LAKE’S PRISTINE CLARITY?
- First of all, the lake has two primary inflows from the Fowler River and the Cockermouth River and its primary outflow is the Newfound River which keeps the water moving at all times.
- The lake is blessed with eight subterranean natural springs which refill the lake with crystal clear water twice a year. This natural wonder keeps the lake recycled with cold, fresh water.
- The lake is surrounded by an exceptionally clear watershed comprised of 98% forest. Newfound sits in the middle of about 100 square miles of undeveloped land which helps keep pollutants at bay.
- The lake’s maximum depth of 183 feet and average depth of 74 feet keep the water moving. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services ranks our lakes from “0” (clear) to “75” (tea-colored). Newfound is one of five in the state with a “0” designation. Also, the state designates the lake at “oligo” under the “irophic class,” which means there is minimal support for algae blooms and rooted plant growth. This is one of the contributing factors to the lake being milfoil free and keeping invasive weeds from invading. Newfound beaches are renowned for their soft, white, natural sand beaches. Whenever I drive around the lake, I always admire the beautiful, natural beaches and the shimmering, clear waters lapping along the shoreline.
- The Newfound Lake Region Association has always remained diligent in monitoring the lake, keeping milfoil at bay and ensuring that it stays that way. The hard work of local volunteers who clean the area and maintain the trails is super important. NLRA “Lake Hosts” and “Weed Watchers,” along with conscientious “Recreators,” has been the first line of defense against invasive species. Lake Hosts provide complimentary boat and trailer inspections at Newfound Lake’s two public boat launches to check for any fragments of flora and fauna. Since 2002, Lake Hosts have recovered 28 fragments of invasive plants, including milfoil, from being launched into the pristine waters of the lake. They have done a great job!
- The lake is home to 22 species of fish and Wellington State Park in Bristol has the largest freshwater beach of all of the New Hampshire State Parks. The long stretch of white, soft sand is amazing and the nature trails and picnic areas make it one of the best places to spend the day.
- At Paradise Point, the New Hampshire Audubon Preserve is located at the head of the lake. The Preserve consists of 43 acres encompassing 3,500 feet of untouched shorefront.
So, there you have it…no sharks, no riptides, no salty water, just paradise with crystal clear, calm, fresh waters that will be waiting for us come early spring. In the interim, the fall season has been breathtaking. There are still a few boats in the water and there are lots of hiking trails surrounding the lake to enjoy before winter sets in.
Now let’s take a look at the real estate activity from January 1st to November 8th, 2022 compared to January 1st to November 8th, 2021 for waterfront individual homes on Newfound Lake:
In 2022 to date, there were seven homes that sold. The median sales price was $1,300,000 with the lowest price at $796,000 and the highest price at $1,850,000. The median days on the market was 11.
In 2021, for the same period above, there were seven homes that sold. The median sales price was $1,280,000 with the lowest price at $800,000 and the highest sales price at $2,575,000. The median days on the market was 13.
Both years saw very similar activity. At the present time, there are no pending sales on Newfound Lake that have not closed.
Presently, there is only one single-family waterfront home for sale on Newfound Lake and is listed with Steve Baker of Roche Realty Group in Meredith. This is a very special property overlooking Pike’s Bay with 237′ of pristine shorefront with commanding lake and mountain views. The shore frontage boasts 150′ of Caribbean-style sandy beach. The three level home was built with smart home modern systems and quality construction. It includes a large wrap-around porch and lower stone patio, plus a 16’x22′ boathouse and a new boat dock. This four bedroom, ten room lake house is priced at $1,995,000. For information, please call Steve Baker at 603-455-4931 or Roche Realty Group at 603-279-7046.
Life is good on the 8th clearest lake in the United States!
This article was written by Frank Roche. Frank is president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith and Laconia, NH, and can be reached at 603-279-7046. Please feel free to visit www.rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.
516 West Shore, Hebron, NH 03241
MLS #4950900
City:Hebron, State:NH
Price: $1600000
Be amazed by 215 feet of pristine waterfront on crystal clear Newfound Lake! Frontage has a fixed deck, docks and mooring plus room for a boat lift and jet ski lift. Very spacious Lindal Cedar home offers unrivaled views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Spacious and smart floor plan affording more than ample room to accommodate large groups. 3, 400+ finished square feet 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and multiple gathering and recreating areas, inside and out. Full, unfinished walkout basement, 2 car garage plus driveway and additional guest parking. New septic system. This quintessential Lake House has it all! Come take a peek... 64f36d2734e2b5127c6227c3 1.70 23515 Walkout DayLight 0 0 1 1 2 3 3416 Hebron RE_1 NH-Grafton The house is approximately 2 miles south of Hebron Village. 516 West Shore Road Deck Private Dock neren3 2 Detached 1 1 64f36c9334e2b5125d35e8c2 1 1 1 1 1693551876 43.6640245 1682985600 1600000 Susan M Hammond 4950900 Active -71.7906461 Lake View Trail/Near Trail View 74052 4950900 3972 516 West Shore, Hebron, NH 03241 1695843113 Cell: 603-254-8933 Hammond Wheeler Realty 40 468 Single Family Homes Residential Be amazed by 215 feet of pristine waterfront on crystal clear Newfound Lake! Frontage has a fixed deck, docks and mooring plus room for a boat lift and jet ski lift. Very spacious Lindal Cedar home offers unrivaled views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Spacious and smart floor plan affording more than ample room to accommodate large groups. 3, 400+ finished square feet 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and multiple gathering and recreating areas, inside and out. Full, unfinished walkout basement, 2 car garage plus driveway and additional guest parking. New septic system. This quintessential Lake House has it all! Come take a peek... Public Newfound Sch Dst SAU 4 Bridgewater-Hebron Village Sch Newfound Regional High Sch Newfound Memorial Middle Sch NH 1 West Shore 516 Contemporary Bear Mountain Rise 1695843791 Lake/River/Creek/Stream View https://tour.neren.com/516-West-Shore-Road-Hebron-NH-03241/unbranded Cross a Street to Access Dock Access Yes Newfound Lake Lake 215 Yes 1 Exclusively Owned 1991 03241 ListPrice 1600000 1695736392 1600000 1693674791 1750000 ListingStatus Active 1693674791 Active https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/a183-4950900-1-neren3.jpg 1 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/e3a9-4950900-2-neren3.jpg 2 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/95ee-4950900-3-neren3.jpg 3 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/02cb-4950900-4-neren3.jpg 4 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/da1a-4950900-5-neren3.jpg 5 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/7d67-4950900-6-neren3.jpg 6 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/a58c-4950900-7-neren3.jpg 7 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/d473-4950900-8-neren3.jpg 8 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/9345-4950900-9-neren3.jpg 9 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/2740-4950900-10-neren3.jpg 10 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/f6e8-4950900-11-neren3.jpg 11 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/86fe-4950900-12-neren3.jpg 12 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/42e3-4950900-13-neren3.jpg 13 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/0703-4950900-14-neren3.jpg 14 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/3447-4950900-15-neren3.jpg 15 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/db4a-4950900-16-neren3.jpg 16 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/45e9-4950900-17-neren3.jpg 17 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/0338-4950900-18-neren3.jpg 18 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/41ae-4950900-19-neren3.jpg 19 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/72ba-4950900-20-neren3.jpg 20 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/01a1-4950900-21-neren3.jpg 21 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/980f-4950900-22-neren3.jpg 22 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/354e-4950900-23-neren3.jpg 23 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/975b-4950900-24-neren3.jpg 24 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/916e-4950900-25-neren3.jpg 25 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/afe9-4950900-26-neren3.jpg 26 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/5a99-4950900-27-neren3.jpg 27 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/89e2-4950900-28-neren3.jpg 28 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/7cb0-4950900-29-neren3.jpg 29 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/390a-4950900-30-neren3.jpg 30 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/acb3-4950900-31-neren3.jpg 31 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/e615-4950900-32-neren3.jpg 32 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/21bf-4950900-33-neren3.jpg 33 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/9c65-4950900-34-neren3.jpg 34 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/6640-4950900-35-neren3.jpg 35 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/4e9d-4950900-36-neren3.jpg 36 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/d64b-4950900-37-neren3.jpg 37 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/0019-4950900-38-neren3.jpg 38 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/9993-4950900-39-neren3.jpg 39 1693674916 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/6260-4950900-40-neren3.jpg 40 1693674916 1693674916 1693674942 Point -71.7906461 43.6640245 RETS -9.38 169573639233 Indian Point, Hebron, NH 03241
MLS #4961053
City:Hebron, State:NH
Price: $2300000
Hebron, NH -Legacy property with private waterfront on Newfound Lake in this much sought after town. A stroll through the towering pines & granite outcroppings brings you to the private shorefront, & crystal-clear water of Newfound Lake. The brand-new crank-out dock is a 6 ft wide deep-water dock perfect for boating & more. A large deck, secluded in the shade & a swim raft offshore for sunbathing & diving! This private home features over 6, 000 sf. of living space featuring a spacious kitchen, sprawling master suite, & home office. The sunroom, kitchen hearth, & formal dining room combined, seat 20 for dinner! Large mudroom/laundry off the 3-car garage, complete with electric charging station for a vehicle. Upstairs consists of 2 bedrooms with a shared bath & direct access to attic space. Downstairs has been completely redone with a family room, wet bar, guest bedroom, cedar closet, workshop/gym, meticulous utility rooms & 2 full walkout doors. This special lakeside home also features what you would expect outside-- a massive deck with lake views, outdoor shower, hot tub, & well-kept landscaping. Updates include two heating/AC systems for excellent climate control, full house air purification system, a standby generator, drilled well, & an on-demand Rinnai water heater. This property is a real achievement; make it your own & share it with others if you wish as a rental â this property has a proven luxury rental history & features smart house technology to assist you. 64af338734e2b5429b2460d2 2.90 12326 Walkout DayLight Finished 2 0 1 2 5 4 6268 Hebron RE_1 NH-Grafton West Shore Road to Indian Point. Property on left. No drive-bys please. Access Parking Paved Parking 33 Indian Point Road Deck Private Dock neren3 1 3 Attached 1 1 1 64af330d34e2b5427d702b42 1 1 1 1 1694190543 1689120000 2300000 Melissa Sullivan 4961053 Active Country Setting Lake View Mountain View Secluded Trail/Near Trail Water View Wooded 126324 4961053 1882 33 Indian Point, Hebron, NH 03241 1694190735 Cell: 603-724-0930 Badger Peabody & Smith Realty/Plymouth 40 573 Single Family Homes Residential Hebron, NH -Legacy property with private waterfront on Newfound Lake in this much sought after town. A stroll through the towering pines & granite outcroppings brings you to the private shorefront, & crystal-clear water of Newfound Lake. The brand-new crank-out dock is a 6 ft wide deep-water dock perfect for boating & more. A large deck, secluded in the shade & a swim raft offshore for sunbathing & diving! This private home features over 6, 000 sf. of living space featuring a spacious kitchen, sprawling master suite, & home office. The sunroom, kitchen hearth, & formal dining room combined, seat 20 for dinner! Large mudroom/laundry off the 3-car garage, complete with electric charging station for a vehicle. Upstairs consists of 2 bedrooms with a shared bath & direct access to attic space. Downstairs has been completely redone with a family room, wet bar, guest bedroom, cedar closet, workshop/gym, meticulous utility rooms & 2 full walkout doors. This special lakeside home also features what you would expect outside-- a massive deck with lake views, outdoor shower, hot tub, & well-kept landscaping. Updates include two heating/AC systems for excellent climate control, full house air purification system, a standby generator, drilled well, & an on-demand Rinnai water heater. This property is a real achievement; make it your own & share it with others if you wish as a rental â this property has a proven luxury rental history & features smart house technology to assist you. Dead End Public Bridgewater-Hebron Village Sch Newfound Regional High Sch Newfound Memorial Middle Sch NH 2 Indian Point 33 Cape Contemporary 1694191391 Lake/River/Creek/Stream Mountains Water View Deep Water Access Dock Access Yes Newfound Lake Lake 100 Yes 1 Exclusively Owned 2000 03241 ListPrice 2300000 1689203591 2300000 ListingStatus Active 1689203591 Active https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/cae5-4961053-1-neren3.jpg 1 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/4d14-4961053-2-neren3.jpg 2 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/0b83-4961053-3-neren3.jpg 3 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/164f-4961053-4-neren3.jpg 4 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/0500-4961053-5-neren3.jpg 5 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/ff8f-4961053-6-neren3.jpg 6 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/3565-4961053-7-neren3.jpg 7 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/d15b-4961053-8-neren3.jpg 8 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/1caf-4961053-9-neren3.jpg 9 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/ba49-4961053-10-neren3.jpg 10 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/9615-4961053-11-neren3.jpg 11 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/abb2-4961053-12-neren3.jpg 12 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/d70e-4961053-13-neren3.jpg 13 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/12bd-4961053-14-neren3.jpg 14 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/aac2-4961053-15-neren3.jpg 15 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/15dd-4961053-16-neren3.jpg 16 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/5196-4961053-17-neren3.jpg 17 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/0933-4961053-18-neren3.jpg 18 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/62cb-4961053-19-neren3.jpg 19 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/1fab-4961053-20-neren3.jpg 20 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/2c67-4961053-21-neren3.jpg 21 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/67a5-4961053-22-neren3.jpg 22 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/78df-4961053-23-neren3.jpg 23 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/29dd-4961053-24-neren3.jpg 24 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/eb58-4961053-25-neren3.jpg 25 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/a5e0-4961053-26-neren3.jpg 26 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/cb5e-4961053-27-neren3.jpg 27 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/21db-4961053-28-neren3.jpg 28 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/de04-4961053-29-neren3.jpg 29 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/cc9a-4961053-30-neren3.jpg 30 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/ef50-4961053-31-neren3.jpg 31 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/1b2a-4961053-32-neren3.jpg 32 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/aa11-4961053-33-neren3.jpg 33 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/1eb4-4961053-34-neren3.jpg 34 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/f67f-4961053-35-neren3.jpg 35 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/3fdc-4961053-36-neren3.jpg 36 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/69f3-4961053-37-neren3.jpg 37 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/10cf-4961053-38-neren3.jpg 38 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/57f8-4961053-39-neren3.jpg 39 1694191497 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/6324-4961053-40-neren3.jpg 40 1694191497 1694191497 1694191502 43.6829519 -71.7894208 Point -71.7894208 43.6829519 RETS https://tour.neren.com/33-Indian-Point-Road-Hebron-NH-03241/unbranded