Grafton Pond Dam

TR BICKNELL BROOK· Grafton, New Hampshire· Built 1918· Concrete· 21 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Grafton Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1918 and is 108 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 74.5% in NH)
Dam Length285 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage7.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage4.7K acre-ft
Surface Area324 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Year Completed1918 (108 years old)
Year Modified1979
NID IDNH00119

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: May 8, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

NH DES WATER DIVISION

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Grafton Pond Dam?

Grafton 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 Grafton Pond Dam?

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

When was Grafton Pond Dam built?

Grafton Pond Dam was completed in 1918, making it 108 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 Grafton Pond Dam?

Grafton 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 Grafton Pond Dam?

Grafton Pond Dam has a dam height of 21 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 Grafton Pond Dam last inspected?

Grafton Pond Dam was last inspected on May 8, 2020. 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.