Paper Mill

Contoocook River· Hillsborough, New Hampshire· Built 1922· Concrete· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Paper Mill is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1922 and is 104 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 10.9% in NH)
Dam Length280 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage50 acre-ft
Normal Storage25 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area191 sq mi
Max Discharge13,400 cfs
Year Completed1922 (104 years old)
NID IDNH00251

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: June 15, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Paper Mill?

Paper Mill 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 Paper Mill?

Paper Mill is owned by Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Paper Mill built?

Paper Mill was completed in 1922, making it 104 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 Paper Mill?

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

How tall is Paper Mill?

Paper Mill has a dam height of 9 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 Paper Mill last inspected?

Paper Mill was last inspected on June 15, 2017. 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.