Pioneer Lake Dam

PICKEREL CREEK· Cheshire, New Hampshire· Built 1971· Earth· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Pioneer Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 59.6% in NH)
Dam Length275 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage439 acre-ft
Normal Storage194 acre-ft
Surface Area49 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge1,000 cfs
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
Year Modified2004
NID IDNH00198

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: November 1, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

TOWN OF STODDARD

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pioneer Lake Dam?

Pioneer 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 Pioneer Lake Dam?

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

When was Pioneer Lake Dam built?

Pioneer Lake Dam was completed in 1971, making it 55 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 Pioneer Lake Dam?

Pioneer 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 Pioneer Lake Dam?

Pioneer Lake Dam has a dam height of 17 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 Pioneer Lake Dam last inspected?

Pioneer Lake Dam was last inspected on November 1, 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.