Sunrise Lake Dam

TR COCHECO RIVER· Strafford, New Hampshire· Built 1877· Earth· 19 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Sunrise Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1877 and is 149 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 19 ft (taller than 68% in NH)
Dam Length665 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.1K acre-ft
Surface Area257 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Year Completed1877 (149 years old)
Year Modified2009
NID IDNH00310

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: November 2, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

SUNRISE LAKE VILLAGE DISTRICT COMMISSION

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sunrise Lake Dam?

Sunrise 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 Sunrise Lake Dam?

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

When was Sunrise Lake Dam built?

Sunrise Lake Dam was completed in 1877, making it 149 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 Sunrise Lake Dam?

Sunrise 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 Sunrise Lake Dam?

Sunrise Lake Dam has a dam height of 19 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 Sunrise Lake Dam last inspected?

Sunrise Lake Dam was last inspected on November 2, 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.