Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref Dam

LIONS BROOK· Merrimack, New Hampshire· Built 1970· Earth· 47 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref Dam is classified as significant hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 47 ft (taller than 94.1% in NH)
Dam Length625 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage8 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge1,585 cfs
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)
Year Modified2021
NID IDNH01095

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: July 7, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

NH FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref Dam?

Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref Dam?

Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref Dam is owned by NH FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref Dam built?

Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref Dam was completed in 1970, making it 56 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 Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref Dam?

Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref 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 Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref Dam?

Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref Dam has a dam height of 47 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 Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref Dam last inspected?

Chadwick Meadows Wildlife Ref Dam was last inspected on July 7, 2021. 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.