Hadley Falls

Piscataquog River· Hillsborough, New Hampshire· Built 1922· Concrete· 20 ft tall
Significant Hazard Hydroelectric Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Hadley Falls is classified as significant hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1922 and is 104 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 70.9% in NH)
Dam Length230 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage150 acre-ft
Normal Storage150 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Drainage Area197 sq mi
Max Discharge6,620 cfs
Year Completed1922 (104 years old)
NID IDNH00020

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: May 25, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NHDES DAM BUREAU

Ownership

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hadley Falls?

Hadley Falls is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Hadley Falls?

Hadley Falls is owned by information not available (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Hadley Falls built?

Hadley Falls was completed in 1922, making it 104 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 Hadley Falls?

Hadley Falls serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Hadley Falls?

Hadley Falls has a dam height of 20 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 Hadley Falls last inspected?

Hadley Falls was last inspected on May 25, 2022. 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.