Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns Dam
Key Takeaway
Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns Dam is classified as significant hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1842 and is 184 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 18 ft (taller than 63.5% in NH) |
| Dam Length | 235 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 11.7K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 11.5K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 900 acres |
| Drainage Area | 21 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,200 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1842 (184 years old) |
| Year Modified | 1964 |
| NID ID | NH00136 |
Safety Information
No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
NH DES WATER DIVISION
State Government
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Low Hazard 10 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns Dam?
Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns Dam?
Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns 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 Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns Dam built?
Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns Dam was completed in 1842, making it 184 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 Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns Dam?
Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns 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 Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns Dam?
Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns Dam last inspected?
Pawtuckaway Lake /Drowns Dam was last inspected on March 26, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.