Harrisville Pond Dam

NUBANUSIT BROOK· Cheshire, New Hampshire· Built 1886· Stone· 16 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Harrisville Pond Dam is classified as high hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1886 and is 140 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 54.9% in NH)
Dam Length75 ft
Dam TypeStone
Max Storage2.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.0K acre-ft
Surface Area120 acres
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Max Discharge47 cfs
Year Completed1886 (140 years old)
NID IDNH00065

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: October 28, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

TWITCHELLS MILLS HYDRO CORP

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Harrisville Pond Dam?

Harrisville Pond Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Harrisville Pond Dam?

Harrisville Pond Dam is owned by TWITCHELLS MILLS HYDRO CORP (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Harrisville Pond Dam built?

Harrisville Pond Dam was completed in 1886, making it 140 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 Harrisville Pond Dam?

Harrisville 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 Harrisville Pond Dam?

Harrisville Pond Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Harrisville Pond Dam last inspected?

Harrisville Pond Dam was last inspected on October 28, 2021. 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.