and the water level of massabesic, the primary water supply for manchester and parts of surrounding towns, is normally a foot higher. still officials in the area say there is plenty of water. and are at this point only asking for some voluntary conservation measures. >> there's no restriction for consumers, but again we ask all of our rate payers to conserve water. it's a valued resource, you should nev waste water any way. reporter: normally the water grass line. but that's where it is today. low water levels have prompted officials to close two boat launches on massabesic, as drought conditions continue to expand west across the state. >> boats have been grounding out trying to get in and out of the water the water level is so low, rocks are exposed out on the lake, and we've had issues where people have been stranded in the grasses because the reporter: they've started to release a billion gallon water reserve, that is enough to raise the lake level about a foot. state officials say many communities are getting pinched by the drought in year, but their biggest concern is what happens i

kristen carosa live now at lake massabesic with more on the reporter: we're told lake massabesic has dropped nearly four feet, it's caused boat launches to be closed because the levels are so low. the drought is affecting many parts of the state and now everyone is being asked to conserve water. manchester's largest water supply is dropping, a voluntary water restriction is being considered by the city. >> our lake level is at an unprecedented minus 49.5 inches. i looked at data for the this low. reporter: according to d.e.s., stream flow and ground water levels are at all-time lows and conditions are getting worse. a new drought map shows the areas of extreme, severe and moderate drought expanding. some areas are down 10 to 20 inches of rain. it's affecting private wells and community water systems. >> it's hard to say whether we'll see improvements or not, but i would say for people to plan. reporter: governor hassan spoke with d.e.s., state and federal agencies and local

lake massabesic is down 49 inches, the lowest it's been in 100 years. also a concern is brush fires that will burn deeper because the soil is so dry making them tougher to put out. let's send it over to meteorologist kevin skarupa to see if we could get some relief this weekend. kevin: over the summer to break the drought but now we are getting into the season where the half-day to all day rain falls become a little more possible. and a decent sized soaking sometime sunday into monday is certainly a possibility as we get into a little bit of a pattern. temperatures after a cool start rebounding nicely. low humidity levels out there and light winds. system starts to arrive. it is the system that slows down a little bit as it approaches. we will look into the weekend at the forecast coming up. sean: new at noon, the coast guard came to the rescue of three people on a 32-foot boat after it ran aground. it happened at around 7:30 this morning on the merrimack river just over the border in newburyport, massachusetts. two of the 3 people on board received cut

two boat launches have been closedded at massabesic because of the dry conditions, but officials say that's the only real impact the droughts that had in manchester so far. consumers, but again we ask all of our rate payers to conserve water. it's a valued resource, you should never waste waterny ways. reporter: state officia say coming winter. if there is below normal snowfall, that could cause a real problem for summer of 2017. live in manchester, andy hershberger, wmur news 9. jennifer: the obvious answer, rain. that could make all the difference in this drought, but there is not a cloud in sight. let's check in with meteorologist hayley lapoint for more on the conditions now and when we might get some relf. hayley: yes, we need a total change of our weather pattern to get through wit showers like yesterday, those only provide minuscule amounts of rain. we need rain for almost a week, and that doesn't look like it's going t happen. right now it's totally clear and with the clear skies overnight in this cooler air mass, i'll tell you, it's going to be chilly. take a look at the tem

reporter: we're told lake massabesic has dropped nearly four feet, it's caused boat launches to be closed because the levels are so low. the drought is affecting many parts of the state and now everyone is being asked to conserve water. manchester's largest water supply is dropping, a voluntary water restriction is being considered by the city. >> our lake level is at an unprecedented minus 49.5 inches. i looked at data for the this low. reporter: according to d.e.s., stream flow and ground water levels are at all-time lows and conditions are getting worse. a new drought map shows the areas of extreme, severe and moderate drought expanding. some areas are down 10 to 20 inches of rain. it's affecting private wells and community water systems. >> it's hard to say whether we'll see improvements or not, but i would say for people to plan. reporter: governor hassan spoke with d.e.s., state and federal agencies and local drought. d.e.s. is now urging all residents to conserve water will you live in a drought area or not. >> don't water your rain at this point. -- don't water your lawn. take sho

lake massabesic supplies manchester and several surrounding towns, serving about 12% of the state's population. water levels on the lake are well below normal. >> i've never seen it time. >> although the franchise water supply not yet to the critical level, we understand the resource and the need to use it wisely. sean: they will keep monitoring the situation. it is not ruling out mandatory restrictions or bans if the drought conditions. erin: they are raising concerns about fire dangers. according to the state division of forest and lands, it is wan banned in nine communities. not only as the extreme drought lead to dangerously dry conditions, it is drying up ponds that supply the fire department. >> this time of year they might be burning yard debris, leaves, and sticks and stuff they are cleaning up. it is the time of the year it is nice to sit outside and enjoy the cool, fall air. they are asking all of those activities to cease. sean: police in rindge are asking for your help tracking down a man. 25-year-old vincent torraco was responsible for holding up a t.d. bank last friday. he's beli