Edward Macdowell Dam dam
Edward Macdowell Dam
Edward MacDowell Dam, located in Peterborough, New Hampshire, was completed in 1950 by the US Army Corps of Engineers with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. This earth dam, standing at a height of 63 feet and spanning 1100 feet in length, helps mitigate the risk of catastrophic flooding to the surrounding communities. However, a risk assessment conducted in 2014 classified the dam's hazard potential as high, primarily due to the sizable population living downstream who could be affected in the event of a dam failure.
The risk management measures implemented by the US Army Corps of Engineers include continuous monitoring of the dam's condition, prioritizing activities to mitigate risks, and collaborating with emergency managers and the public to raise awareness and preparedness for potential dam-related emergencies. Despite the low likelihood of failure scenarios such as water seepage or ice jams causing downstream flooding, the consequences could be devastating, with swift and deep floodwaters impacting areas including Peterborough, Bennington, Antrim, Hillsborough, and Concord. The importance of maintaining the dam and updating emergency action plans is crucial to ensuring the safety of those living downstream of Edward MacDowell Dam.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Edward Macdowell Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nubanusit Bk Blw Macdowell Dam Nr Peterborough Nh | 31 cfs | → |
| Contoocook River At Peterborough | 107 cfs | → |
| S Br Ashuelot River At Webb | 25 cfs | → |
| North Branch River Near Antrim | 61 cfs | → |
| Otter Brook Below Otter Brook Dam | 12 cfs | → |
| Souhegan River (Site Wlr-1) Near Milford | 168 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Edward Macdowell Dam.
Boat launches
- Macdowell Reservoir Boat Launch
- Frost Pond Boat Launch
- Thorndike Pond Boat Launch
- Cunningham Pond Boat Launch
- Contoocook River (Powder Mill Pond) Boat Launch
- Dublin Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Camp Wanocksett
- Mt Monadnock State Park Campground
- Swanzey Lake Camping Area
- Pilgrim Pines Camping Area
- Wheelock Park Campground
- Fox Brook Tent Site
Paddle runs
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
Track Edward Macdowell Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Edward Macdowell Dam
Where does the data for Edward Macdowell Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Edward Macdowell Dam.