Garvins Falls

Merrimack River· Merrimack, New Hampshire· Built 1901· Masonry· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Not Listed

Key Takeaway

Garvins Falls is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1901 and is 125 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 63.5% in NH)
Dam Length645 ft
Dam TypeMasonry
Max Storage7.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage7.2K acre-ft
Surface Area504 acres
Drainage Area2,427 sq mi
Max Discharge113,000 cfs
Year Completed1901 (125 years old)
NID IDNH00090

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: Yes
Last Inspection: May 15, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NHDES DAM BUREAU

Ownership

Not Listed

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Garvins Falls?

Garvins Falls 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 Garvins Falls?

Garvins Falls is owned by information not available (Not Listed). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Garvins Falls built?

Garvins Falls was completed in 1901, making it 125 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 Garvins Falls?

Garvins Falls serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Garvins Falls?

Garvins Falls 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 Garvins Falls last inspected?

Garvins Falls was last inspected on May 15, 2018. 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.