N.H. buys marina to open first state-owned public boat launch

ALTON — After many years of trying, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has finally acquired a boat ramp on the state's largest lake.

The recent purchase of a private marina at the southern tip of Alton Bay creates the first state-owned and controlled public boat ramp with parking on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Fish and Game officials say the facility includes an existing boat launch with paved parking for vehicles and trailers, along with several docks that will allow for shore bank fishing.

“All around, it looked like a great opportunity,” New Hampshire Fish and Game Executive Director Glenn Normandeau said of the $1 million acquisition.

Downing's Landing is located near the junction of Route 11 and Route 28-A in Alton Bay. It was owned and operated by four generations of Downing family members, most recently by Jonathan and Nancy Downing.

Downing's Landing appealed to the state because it already contains the necessary components on site, Normandeau said. When the state built a ramp on Winnisquam Lake in Laconia four years ago, it used free land from the city, but still spent about $1.7 million to build the facility, he said.

“Here, we've got a ramp that basically we can start using tomorrow for $1 million,” he said.

The purchase is being funded from two sources, according to Normandeau. One pot of money is boat registration fees, which yield $5 a piece for a Fish and Game's Public Boat Access Program. Maintenance of the department's 134 public boat ramps is funded by the registration fees.

The state will also use federal dollars from the Sport Fish Restoration Act, derived from a marine gas tax.

The boat launch may be temporarily closed while officials determine if maintenance and repairs are necessary. Normandeau said the department plans to reopen it by the winter ice fishing season. The site would also, theoretically, be open to snowmobile riders.

“I would expect that we would see winter use on it this winter, assuming we see safe ice,” Normandeau said.

Fish and Game also plans to evaluate the parking configuration to maximize space before boating season. The owners have indicated they're able to fit about 40 cars and boat trailers in the existing lot.

Parking could pose a challenge if the state-owned public boat launch brings a large number of new boaters to the area. The town of Alton already operates a public boat launch on Route 11, but boaters are prohibited from parking trailers there. Some boaters wind up parking vehicles and gear on Letter S Road, about three quarters of a mile away from the parking lot at Downing's Landing.

“The reality is any ramp we have has limits as to what it can hold,” Normandeau said, “and that will be the case with this.”

The site also contains a wharf and buildings, which could ultimately house a pair of conservation officers there, as well as Fish and Game boats.

“I think certainly it's nice that finally the state will have access to the biggest lake in New Hampshire, which they haven't had in the past,” said Bruce Wright, general manager at Irwin Marine, which has locations in Laconia, Hudson and Alton Bay.

Alton Town Administrator Russell Bailey declined to comment on the purchase, indicating he hasn't discussed it with local selectmen.

“We don't know how they're going to run it,” Bailey said.