Watson

Cocheco River· Strafford, New Hampshire· Built 1900· Concrete· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Watson is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 28.2% in NH)
Dam Length290 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage236 acre-ft
Normal Storage236 acre-ft
Surface Area54 acres
Drainage Area180 sq mi
Max Discharge9,170 cfs
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDNH00549

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: July 21, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NHDES DAM BUREAU

Ownership

Watson Associates

Private

Nearby Dams

Bellamy Reservoir Dam

Strafford, NH

High Hazard 35 ft

Cocheco Falls

Strafford, NH

Significant Hazard 9 ft

Pickering Ponds Dam

Strafford, NH

Low Hazard 24 ft

Rochester Sewage Lagoon Dam

Strafford, NH

Significant Hazard 10 ft

Durham Reservoir Dam

Strafford, NH

High Hazard 17 ft

Thornwood Commons Pond Dam

Strafford, NH

Significant Hazard 16 ft

Somersworth

Strafford, NH

Significant Hazard 17 ft

Beards Creek Dam

Strafford, NH

Significant Hazard 16 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Watson?

Watson 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 Watson?

Watson is owned by Watson Associates (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Watson built?

Watson was completed in 1900, making it 126 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 Watson?

Watson serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Watson?

Watson has a dam height of 12 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 Watson last inspected?

Watson was last inspected on July 21, 2022. 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.