Forest Lake Dam

TR ASHUELOT RIVER· Cheshire, New Hampshire· Built 1915· Earth· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Forest Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1915 and is 111 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 5% in NH)
Dam Length75 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage378 acre-ft
Normal Storage164 acre-ft
Surface Area93 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge175 cfs
Year Completed1915 (111 years old)
NID IDNH00297

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: August 20, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

FOREST LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Forest Lake Dam?

Forest 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 Forest Lake Dam?

Forest Lake Dam is owned by FOREST LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Forest Lake Dam built?

Forest Lake Dam was completed in 1915, making it 111 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 Forest Lake Dam?

Forest 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 Forest Lake Dam?

Forest 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 Forest Lake Dam last inspected?

Forest Lake Dam was last inspected on August 20, 2019. 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.