Hermit Lake Dam

SALMON BROOK· Belknap, New Hampshire· Built 1927· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Hermit Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1927 and is 99 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 70.9% in NH)
Dam Length1,320 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.2K acre-ft
Surface Area220 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge3,343 cfs
Year Completed1927 (99 years old)
Year Modified1981
NID IDNH00033

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: April 19, 2021
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 Hermit Lake Dam?

Hermit Lake 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 Hermit Lake Dam?

Hermit Lake 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 Hermit Lake Dam built?

Hermit Lake Dam was completed in 1927, making it 99 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 Hermit Lake Dam?

Hermit Lake 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 Hermit Lake Dam?

Hermit Lake Dam 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 Hermit Lake Dam last inspected?

Hermit Lake Dam was last inspected on April 19, 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.