Pleasant Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Pleasant Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1850 and is 176 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 13 ft (taller than 36.5% in NH) |
| Dam Length | 360 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 9.3K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 6.8K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 604 acres |
| Drainage Area | 11 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,689 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1850 (176 years old) |
| Year Modified | 2017 |
| NID ID | NH00362 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
TOWN OF NEW LONDON
Local Government
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Low Hazard 12 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Pleasant Lake Dam?
Pleasant Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Pleasant Lake Dam?
Pleasant Lake Dam is owned by TOWN OF NEW LONDON (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Pleasant Lake Dam built?
Pleasant Lake Dam was completed in 1850, making it 176 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 Pleasant Lake Dam?
Pleasant 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 Pleasant Lake Dam?
Pleasant 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 Pleasant Lake Dam last inspected?
Pleasant Lake Dam was last inspected on July 7, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.