Thornwood Commons Pond Dam

VARNEY BROOK· Strafford, New Hampshire· Built 1961· Earth· 16 ft tall
Significant Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Thornwood Commons Pond Dam is classified as significant hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 54.9% in NH)
Dam Length420 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage32 acre-ft
Normal Storage12 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge173 cfs
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
Year Modified2010
NID IDNH01700

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: July 30, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

VARNEY BROOK LANDS LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Thornwood Commons Pond Dam?

Thornwood Commons Pond Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Thornwood Commons Pond Dam?

Thornwood Commons Pond Dam is owned by VARNEY BROOK LANDS LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Thornwood Commons Pond Dam built?

Thornwood Commons Pond Dam was completed in 1961, making it 65 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 Thornwood Commons Pond Dam?

Thornwood Commons Pond Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Thornwood Commons Pond Dam?

Thornwood Commons Pond Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Thornwood Commons Pond Dam last inspected?

Thornwood Commons Pond Dam was last inspected on July 30, 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.