Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike

BLACKWATER RIVER· Merrimack, New Hampshire· Built 1941· Gravity· 18 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike is classified as high hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1941 and is 85 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 63.5% in NH)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage93.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area1 acres
Drainage Area128 sq mi
Max Discharge42,800 cfs
Year Completed1941 (85 years old)
NID IDNH03847

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: October 25, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

USACE - New England District

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike?

Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike?

Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike is owned by USACE - New England District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike built?

Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike was completed in 1941, making it 85 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 Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike?

Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike?

Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike has a dam height of 18 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 Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike last inspected?

Blackwater Dam - Dodge Estate Dike was last inspected on October 25, 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.