Canobie Lake Dam

POLICY BROOK· Rockingham, New Hampshire· Built 1930· Earth· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Canobie Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 5% in NH)
Dam Length330 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage700 acre-ft
Surface Area350 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge50 cfs
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
NID IDNH00031

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: November 12, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

TOWN OF SALEM

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Canobie Lake Dam?

Canobie Lake 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 Canobie Lake Dam?

Canobie Lake Dam is owned by TOWN OF SALEM (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Canobie Lake Dam built?

Canobie Lake Dam was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 Canobie Lake Dam?

Canobie Lake 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 Canobie Lake Dam?

Canobie Lake Dam has a dam height of 8 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 Canobie Lake Dam last inspected?

Canobie Lake Dam was last inspected on November 12, 2020. 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.