Whittemore Lake Dam

TR CONTOOCOOK RIVER· Hillsborough, New Hampshire· Built 1886· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Whittemore Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New Hampshire. It was completed in 1886 and is 140 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 23.8% in NH)
Dam Length120 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage213 acre-ft
Normal Storage108 acre-ft
Surface Area41 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge639 cfs
Year Completed1886 (140 years old)
Year Modified1982
NID IDNH00107

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: April 12, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NH DES

Ownership

NH FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Whittemore Lake Dam?

Whittemore Lake 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 Whittemore Lake Dam?

Whittemore Lake Dam is owned by NH FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Whittemore Lake Dam built?

Whittemore Lake Dam was completed in 1886, making it 140 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 Whittemore Lake Dam?

Whittemore 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 Whittemore Lake Dam?

Whittemore Lake Dam has a dam height of 11 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 Whittemore Lake Dam last inspected?

Whittemore Lake Dam was last inspected on April 12, 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.