Nashua Canal Dam and Dike

CANAL SYSTEM· Hillsborough, New Hampshire· Built 1886· Concrete· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Nashua Canal Dam and Dike is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1886 and is 140 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 23.8% in NH)
Dam Length42 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage325 acre-ft
Normal Storage155 acre-ft
Surface Area42 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge2,680 cfs
Year Completed1886 (140 years old)
Year Modified2015
NID IDNH00430

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: May 28, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

CITY OF NASHUA

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Nashua Canal Dam and Dike?

Nashua Canal Dam and Dike 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 Nashua Canal Dam and Dike?

Nashua Canal Dam and Dike is owned by CITY OF NASHUA (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Nashua Canal Dam and Dike built?

Nashua Canal Dam and Dike was completed in 1886, making it 140 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 Nashua Canal Dam and Dike?

Nashua Canal Dam and Dike 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 Nashua Canal Dam and Dike?

Nashua Canal Dam and Dike has a dam height of 11 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 Nashua Canal Dam and Dike last inspected?

Nashua Canal Dam and Dike was last inspected on May 28, 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.