Dead River Dam 1
Key Takeaway
Dead River Dam 1 is classified as high hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 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 | 47 ft (taller than 94.1% in NH) |
| Dam Length | 3,035 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 4.7K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1.2K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 132 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 8,100 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1970 (56 years old) |
| NID ID | NH00473 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
NH DNCR
State Government
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Low Hazard 21 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Dead River Dam 1?
Dead River Dam 1 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 Dead River Dam 1?
Dead River Dam 1 is owned by NH DNCR (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Dead River Dam 1 built?
Dead River Dam 1 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 Dead River Dam 1?
Dead River Dam 1 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 Dead River Dam 1?
Dead River Dam 1 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 Dead River Dam 1 last inspected?
Dead River Dam 1 was last inspected on August 18, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.