Lake Wicwas Dam

DOLLOFF BROOK· Belknap, New Hampshire· Built 1937· Earth· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Wicwas Dam is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 1.4% in NH)
Dam Length190 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage457 acre-ft
Surface Area330 acres
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Max Discharge322 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDNH00124

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: September 23, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

TOWN OF MEREDITH

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Wicwas Dam?

Lake Wicwas 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 Lake Wicwas Dam?

Lake Wicwas Dam is owned by TOWN OF MEREDITH (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Wicwas Dam built?

Lake Wicwas Dam was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Lake Wicwas Dam?

Lake Wicwas 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 Lake Wicwas Dam?

Lake Wicwas Dam has a dam height of 7 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 Lake Wicwas Dam last inspected?

Lake Wicwas Dam was last inspected on September 23, 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.