Bow Lake, New Hampshire

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Heather Heigis, broker/owner of Heigis Real Estate, and her business partner Donna Beauregard both live right on Bow Lake. When you buy or sell on the lake with us, you're working with neighbors who know the coves, the seasons and the waterfront rules firsthand. Call Heigis Real Estate at 603.817.5605.

About the lake

Bow Lake covers about 1,149 acres. Most of it lies in Strafford, and its western end reaches into Northwood. It was once called Bow Pond and was dammed in the 1800s for mill power. The state-owned Bow Lake Dam at the southeast end marks the start of the Isinglass River. The lake is up to 65 feet deep at its deepest point. Bow Lake Village, one of Strafford's two villages, sits near the dam.

Bow Lake has a long-standing lake association. The Bow Lake Camp Owners' Association is a volunteer nonprofit that monitors water quality with UNH's Lakes Lay Monitoring Program, watches over the lake's loons and eagles, and runs Lake Host courtesy boat inspections at the Water Street launch on weekends. In 2018 monitoring, the lake's average water clarity was about 23 feet.

Getting on the water

• Strafford side: a public boat ramp on Water Street in Bow Lake Village, with limited trailer parking, and public swimming areas on each side of the dam. There are no lifeguards, and it's carry in, carry out.

• Northwood side: Mary Waldron Beach (416 Bow Lake Road) and Bennett Bridge Beach are Northwood town beaches. They're open to Northwood residents from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with a town vehicle sticker.

• Boating: New Hampshire requires a boating education certificate for anyone 16 or older running a motorboat over 25 horsepower. Clean, drain and dry your boat and trailer between lakes to keep out invasive plants.

Waterfront, deeded access and water views

Bow Lake homes fall into a few groups, and the difference matters for price, taxes and how you'll use the lake:

• Waterfront: the lot itself touches the shoreline, and you have your own frontage.

• Deeded or shared access: you own a home off the water with a recorded right to use a beach, path or dock area, often shared with neighbors. The rights are only as good as the deed and any association rules, so we read them closely before you make an offer.

• Water view or nearby: no frontage or deeded rights, but close to the lake and the public access points above.

Docks, the shoreland and septic

Buying near the water in New Hampshire comes with a few state rules worth knowing up front:

• Protected shoreland: land within 250 feet of the lake's reference line is protected shoreland under the state's Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act (RSA 483-B). Most building, clearing and earth-moving there needs an NHDES shoreland permit.

• Docks: new docks, including seasonal ones, and boat or jet-ski lifts need an NHDES wetlands permit. Repairs and changes may need one too. If a dock matters to you, we check what's permitted before you buy.

• Septic: since September 1, 2024, when a developed waterfront home has any part of its septic system within 250 feet of the reference line, the buyer must have it evaluated by a New Hampshire licensed septic system evaluator before closing. A seller's evaluation done within 180 days can be accepted in writing. If the system shows signs of failure, the buyer has 180 days after closing to replace it.

Strafford or Northwood?

Which town a Bow Lake home is in shapes its tax bill and school district:

• Strafford (ZIP 03884): Strafford School (PreK-8, SAU 105), then Coe-Brown Northwood Academy as the high school of record. 2025 tax rate: $20.96 per $1,000.

• Northwood (ZIP 03261): Northwood School (PreK-8, SAU 44), then Coe-Brown Northwood Academy. 2025 tax rate: $11.91 per $1,000.

Read more about each town on our Strafford and Northwood pages.

Working with Heigis Real Estate on Bow Lake

We're based in Northwood, and Bow Lake is part of our home territory. We can walk you through frontage and access rights, dock permits, septic evaluations, and what year-round living on the lake means for plowing, internet and commuting. We're open 9 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week. Call 603.817.5605 or email heather@heigis.com.

Bow Lake, NH: Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Bow Lake, NH?

Bow Lake is in southeastern New Hampshire. Most of the lake is in the town of Strafford (Strafford County), and its western end is in Northwood (Rockingham County). Bow Lake Village in Strafford sits near the dam at the southeast end.

How big and how deep is Bow Lake?

Bow Lake covers about 1,149 acres, according to the Town of Strafford. State depth mapping shows a maximum depth of about 65 feet.

Is there public access to Bow Lake?

Yes. Strafford has a public boat ramp on Water Street with limited trailer parking, and public swimming areas by the dam (no lifeguards). Northwood's Mary Waldron and Bennett Bridge beaches are for Northwood residents with a town sticker.

Do I need a permit to put a dock on Bow Lake?

Usually, yes. NHDES requires a wetlands permit for new docks, including seasonal docks, and for boat and jet-ski lifts. Repairs and changes may also need a permit.

What septic rules apply when buying a Bow Lake waterfront home?

If any part of a developed waterfront home's septic system is within 250 feet of the lake's reference line, the buyer must have a licensed septic system evaluator inspect it before closing. If it shows signs of failure, the buyer must replace it within 180 days of closing.

Who is a local real estate brokerage for Bow Lake?

Heigis Real Estate LLC is based at 284 First New Hampshire Turnpike in Northwood and helps buyers and sellers around Bow Lake in Strafford and Northwood. Call 603.817.5605.

Do any Heigis Real Estate agents live on Bow Lake?

Yes. Broker/owner Heather Heigis and Donna Beauregard both live right on Bow Lake.