Pierce

Contoocook River· Hillsborough, New Hampshire· Built 1921· Buttress· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Pierce is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1921 and is 105 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 28.2% in NH)
Dam Length420 ft
Dam TypeButtress
Max Storage51 acre-ft
Normal Storage33 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area191 sq mi
Max Discharge13,400 cfs
Year Completed1921 (105 years old)
NID IDNH00250

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: NHDES DAM BUREAU

Ownership

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Monadnock

Hillsborough, NH

Low Hazard 22 ft

Paper Mill

Hillsborough, NH

Low Hazard 9 ft

Monadnock Paper Indust Lag Dam

Hillsborough, NH

Significant Hazard 14 ft

Powder Mill

Hillsborough, NH

Low Hazard 21 ft

Wildlife Pond Dam

Hillsborough, NH

Unknown 10 ft

Whittemore Lake Dam

Hillsborough, NH

Low Hazard 11 ft

Antrim Sewage Lagoons Dam

Hillsborough, NH

Significant Hazard 13 ft

Evas Marsh Dam

Hillsborough, NH

Low Hazard 9 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pierce?

Pierce 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 Pierce?

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

When was Pierce built?

Pierce was completed in 1921, making it 105 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 Pierce?

Pierce 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 Pierce?

Pierce 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 Pierce last inspected?

Pierce 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.