Mine Falls

Nashua River· Hillsborough, New Hampshire· Built 1889· Masonry· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Mine Falls is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1889 and is 137 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 54.9% in NH)
Dam Length325 ft
Dam TypeMasonry
Max Storage2.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.0K acre-ft
Surface Area242 acres
Drainage Area405 sq mi
Max Discharge8,981 cfs
Year Completed1889 (137 years old)
NID IDNH00116

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: July 18, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NHDES DAM BUREAU

Ownership

City of Nashua, NH

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mine Falls?

Mine Falls 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 Mine Falls?

Mine Falls is owned by City of Nashua, NH (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mine Falls built?

Mine Falls was completed in 1889, making it 137 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 Mine Falls?

Mine Falls serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Mine Falls?

Mine Falls 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 Mine Falls last inspected?

Mine Falls was last inspected on July 18, 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.