Jones Dam

MERRYMEETING RIVER· Strafford, New Hampshire· Built 1924· Concrete· 21 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Jones Dam is classified as high hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1924 and is 102 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 21 ft (taller than 74.5% in NH)
Dam Length210 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage375 acre-ft
Normal Storage280 acre-ft
Surface Area80 acres
Drainage Area16 sq mi
Max Discharge2,844 cfs
Year Completed1924 (102 years old)
Year Modified1986
NID IDNH00345

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: August 10, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

NH FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Jones Dam?

Jones 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 Jones Dam?

Jones Dam is owned by NH FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Jones Dam built?

Jones Dam was completed in 1924, making it 102 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 Jones Dam?

Jones 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 Jones Dam?

Jones 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 Jones Dam last inspected?

Jones Dam was last inspected on August 10, 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.