Pillsbury Lake Dam

DEER MEADOW BROOK· Merrimack, New Hampshire· Built 1964· Earth· 13 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Pillsbury Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 13 ft (taller than 36.5% in NH)
Dam Length280 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage377 acre-ft
Normal Storage243 acre-ft
Surface Area67 acres
Drainage Area13 sq mi
Max Discharge640 cfs
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
Year Modified2007
NID IDNH00083

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 7, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

PILLSBURY LAKE DISTRICT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pillsbury Lake Dam?

Pillsbury Lake 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 Pillsbury Lake Dam?

Pillsbury Lake Dam is owned by PILLSBURY LAKE DISTRICT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pillsbury Lake Dam built?

Pillsbury Lake Dam was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 Pillsbury Lake Dam?

Pillsbury Lake 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 Pillsbury Lake Dam?

Pillsbury Lake Dam has a dam height of 13 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 Pillsbury Lake Dam last inspected?

Pillsbury Lake Dam was last inspected on June 7, 2022. 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.