Gilson Pond Dam

GILSON POND· Cheshire, New Hampshire· Built 1875· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Gilson Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1875 and is 151 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 23.8% in NH)
Dam Length85 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage80 acre-ft
Normal Storage52 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge444 cfs
Year Completed1875 (151 years old)
Year Modified2004
NID IDNH01060

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 28, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

NH DNCR

State Government

Nearby Dams

Thorndike Pond Dam

Cheshire, NH

Low Hazard 13 ft

Poole Reservoir Dam

Cheshire, NH

Significant Hazard 14 ft

Contoocook River Dam

Cheshire, NH

Significant Hazard 15 ft

Mud Pond Dam

Cheshire, NH

Low Hazard 18 ft

Mountain Brook Reservoir Dam

Cheshire, NH

Significant Hazard 18 ft

Contoocook Lake Dam

Cheshire, NH

Low Hazard 7 ft

Cheshire

Cheshire, NH

Low Hazard 13 ft

Skatutakee Lake Dam

Cheshire, NH

Significant Hazard 13 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Gilson Pond Dam?

Gilson Pond 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 Gilson Pond Dam?

Gilson Pond Dam is owned by NH DNCR (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Gilson Pond Dam built?

Gilson Pond Dam was completed in 1875, making it 151 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 Gilson Pond Dam?

Gilson Pond 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 Gilson Pond Dam?

Gilson Pond Dam has a dam height of 11 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 Gilson Pond Dam last inspected?

Gilson Pond Dam was last inspected on November 28, 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.