Three Mile Reservoir Dam

BEAVER BROOK· Cheshire, New Hampshire· Built 1986· Concrete· 20 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Three Mile Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1986 and is 40 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 20 ft (taller than 70.9% in NH)
Dam Length292 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage620 acre-ft
Normal Storage250 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge8,000 cfs
Year Completed1986 (40 years old)
NID IDNH00736

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: June 23, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

CITY OF KEENE DPW

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Three Mile Reservoir Dam?

Three Mile Reservoir 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 Three Mile Reservoir Dam?

Three Mile Reservoir Dam is owned by CITY OF KEENE DPW (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Three Mile Reservoir Dam built?

Three Mile Reservoir Dam was completed in 1986, making it 40 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 Three Mile Reservoir Dam?

Three Mile Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Three Mile Reservoir Dam?

Three Mile Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Three Mile Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Three Mile Reservoir Dam was last inspected on June 23, 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.