Lovell Lake Dam

BRANCH RIVER· Carroll, New Hampshire· Built 1910· Concrete· 12 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lovell Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1910 and is 116 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 12 ft (taller than 28.2% in NH)
Dam Length260 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage2.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.8K acre-ft
Surface Area530 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge1,629 cfs
Year Completed1910 (116 years old)
Year Modified1965
NID IDNH00223

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: April 25, 2022
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 Lovell Lake Dam?

Lovell Lake 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 Lovell Lake Dam?

Lovell 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 Lovell Lake Dam built?

Lovell Lake Dam was completed in 1910, making it 116 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 Lovell Lake Dam?

Lovell 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 Lovell Lake Dam?

Lovell Lake Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Lovell Lake Dam last inspected?

Lovell Lake Dam was last inspected on April 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.