Otter Pond Dam

OTTER POND BROOK· Sullivan, New Hampshire· Built 1920· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Otter Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1920 and is 106 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 28.2% in NH)
Dam Length70 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage245 acre-ft
Surface Area189 acres
Drainage Area15 sq mi
Max Discharge759 cfs
Year Completed1920 (106 years old)
Year Modified1996
NID IDNH00078

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: October 20, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

TOWN OF SUNAPEE

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Otter Pond Dam?

Otter Pond 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 Otter Pond Dam?

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

When was Otter Pond Dam built?

Otter Pond Dam was completed in 1920, making it 106 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 Otter Pond Dam?

Otter Pond 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 Otter Pond Dam?

Otter Pond 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 Otter Pond Dam last inspected?

Otter Pond Dam was last inspected on October 20, 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.