Waumbek Dam

SALMON FALLS RIVER· Strafford, New Hampshire· Built 1880· Concrete· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Waumbek Dam is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1880 and is 146 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 59.6% in NH)
Dam Length120 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage50 acre-ft
Normal Storage26 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area29 sq mi
Max Discharge769 cfs
Year Completed1880 (146 years old)
NID IDNH00787

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: November 8, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

NH DES WATER DIVISION

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Waumbek Dam?

Waumbek Dam 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 Waumbek Dam?

Waumbek Dam is owned by NH DES WATER DIVISION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Waumbek Dam built?

Waumbek Dam was completed in 1880, making it 146 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 Waumbek Dam?

Waumbek 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 Waumbek Dam?

Waumbek Dam has a dam height of 17 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 Waumbek Dam last inspected?

Waumbek Dam was last inspected on November 8, 2018. 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.