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American Myths & Legends - Squam Lake.png

Uncredited photographer in 1903 publication · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Lakes → New Hampshire → Squam Lake

Squam Lake

New Hampshire · Natural · near Holderness

6,791 acres 98 ft deep 25 ft clarity Water A

Compare

6.2SCORE

Survey summary · New Hampshire

6,791

Surface acres

98 ft

Max depth

61 mi

Shoreline

25 ft

Typical clarity

561 ft

Elevation

Photographs of Squam Lake via Wikimedia Commons. Credit and licence on each image — hover to view, click through to the source.

Squam Lake covers 6,791 acres in New Hampshire and drops to 98 feet at its deepest point. It is a natural lake, which generally means a more stable shoreline and fewer drawdown surprises than an impoundment. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Water clarity averages around 25 feet, placing it among the clearer bodies of water in the country. Short-term rental posture: Very restricted. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.

What stands out

Exceptional clarity, roughly 25 ft
Very stable water level year-round
Boating
Loon watching

Watch outs

Short-term rental rules are restrictive — do not assume rental income

Score breakdown

Water 8.6

Recreation 5.5

Value 3.5

Access 6.1

Investment 6.2

Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.

Water quality grade

Water A

ExcellentClear, low-nutrient water. Typically oligotrophic with high clarity and little seasonal algae.

Water B

GoodHealthy water with moderate clarity. Some seasonal variation, no persistent problems.

Water C

FairProductive water — good fishing, reduced clarity. Algae possible in late summer.

Water D

PoorNutrient-rich or heavily drawn down. Swimmable conditions vary; check before you rely on them.

Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.

Overall score, 1–10

8.0+

ExceptionalStrong on every axis we measure.

7.0–7.9

StrongClearly above average, usually with one standout axis.

6.0–6.9

SolidA good lake with a trade-off worth understanding.

5.0–5.9

MixedReal strengths and real compromises.

Under 5

CompromisedSomething material — volatility, water quality, or access.

Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.

Fishery

Lake troutSmallmouth bassSalmonRainbow trout

On the water

BoatingLoon watchingPaddling

No USGS gauge on this lake. Water level and clarity figures below come from published lake management data rather than a live sensor.

Where it is

True shoreline from USGS NHD 27 km²

The outline is this lake's actual boundary from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset, not an approximation — 593 boundary points. Basemap is USGS topographic with contours and hydrography. Switch layers at the top right.

Depth profile

Idealized cross-section. Max depth 98 ft, average 31 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.

Level behaviour

Level stabilityNatural Typical drawdown2 ft Drawdown seasonAutumn Trophic stateOligotrophic Typical clarity25 ft Water quality gradeA Elevation561 ft Managing authorityNH DES

Dock & shoreline

Permitting authorityNH DES Wetlands Wake / speed rulesNo-wake 150ft; HP limits

A dock is never guaranteed. Confirm in writing with NH DES Wetlands that the specific parcel is eligible before you remove contingencies.

Short-term rental posture

Very restricted

Restrictions apply and vary by jurisdiction. Verify at the municipal level before you offer.

Model rental income →

Modeled estimates. Market figures are derived from lake attributes and regional patterns, not from MLS data. Treat them as a starting point, not a comp.

$900,000

Median waterfront

$7,485

Per shoreline foot

+5.6%

Year over year

169

Est. inventory

139

Avg days on market

$226

Est. nightly rate

Rental snapshot

Modeled occupancy35% Booked nights / yr92 Gross revenue$26,105 Net operating income$10,412 Yield on median price1.16%

Open the full model →

What a median-priced home on Squam Lake actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.

$7,231

All-in per month

$204,850

Cash to close + setup

$16,640

Beyond P&I, tax, insurance

Where the annual cost goes

Principal & interest $56,903 (67%) Maintenance reserve (1.1%) $9,900 (12%) Property taxes $9,450 (11%) Hazard insurance $3,780 (4%) Utilities $2,700 (3%) Shoreline / seawall reserve $960 (1%) Dock maintenance $900 (1%) Winterization / seasonal close $750 (1%)

Annual carry

Principal & interest	$56,903
Property taxes	$9,450
Hazard insurance	$3,780
Flood insurance	$650
Utilities	$2,700
Maintenance reserve (1.1%)	$9,900
Septic service	$520
Well & water testing	$260
Dock maintenance	$900
Winterization / seasonal close	$750
Shoreline / seawall reserve	$960
Total	$86,773