Bear Hill Pond Dam

BOAT MEADOW BROOK· Merrimack, New Hampshire· Built 1885· Earth· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Bear Hill Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1885 and is 141 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 1.4% in NH)
Dam Length310 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage90 acre-ft
Normal Storage48 acre-ft
Surface Area31 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1,130 cfs
Year Completed1885 (141 years old)
Year Modified1984
NID IDNH00927

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: August 30, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

NH DNCR

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bear Hill Pond Dam?

Bear Hill Pond Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bear Hill Pond Dam?

Bear Hill Pond Dam is owned by NH DNCR (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bear Hill Pond Dam built?

Bear Hill Pond Dam was completed in 1885, making it 141 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bear Hill Pond Dam?

Bear Hill Pond Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bear Hill Pond Dam?

Bear Hill Pond Dam has a dam height of 7 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bear Hill Pond Dam last inspected?

Bear Hill Pond Dam was last inspected on August 30, 2018. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.