Bellows Falls

Connecticut River· Cheshire, New Hampshire· Built 1907· Concrete· 48 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Bellows Falls is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1907 and is 119 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 48 ft (taller than 94.4% in NH)
Dam Length643 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage30.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage30.0K acre-ft
Surface Area2,804 acres
Drainage Area5,414 sq mi
Max Discharge157,600 cfs
Year Completed1907 (119 years old)
NID IDNH00112

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: June 8, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NHDES DAM BUREAU

Ownership

Great River Hydro, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bellows Falls?

Bellows Falls 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 Bellows Falls?

Bellows Falls is owned by Great River Hydro, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bellows Falls built?

Bellows Falls was completed in 1907, making it 119 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 Bellows Falls?

Bellows Falls serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bellows Falls?

Bellows Falls has a dam height of 48 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 Bellows Falls last inspected?

Bellows Falls was last inspected on June 8, 2022. 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.