Kilton Pond Dam dam
Kilton Pond Dam
Kilton Pond Dam, located in Grafton, New Hampshire, is a state-regulated structure with a primary purpose of recreation. This earth dam, standing at 12 feet tall and 180 feet long, impounds the Smith River to create Kilton Pond. With a storage capacity of 407 acre-feet and a surface area of 68 acres, the dam serves as a popular recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing.
Managed by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau, Kilton Pond Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in fair condition. The dam has a spillway width of 34 feet and a maximum discharge of 2,583 cubic feet per second. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the structure has not undergone any recent modifications and its emergency action plan status is unlisted. The last inspection in November 2016 determined that the dam meets state regulatory standards and is safe for public use, further solidifying its importance as a recreational resource in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Kilton Pond Dam offers a unique opportunity to experience the intersection of human infrastructure and natural beauty. With its picturesque setting along the Smith River and ample recreational activities available, this state-regulated earth dam provides a valuable resource for both locals and visitors alike. As efforts continue to maintain and monitor its condition, Kilton Pond Dam remains a focal point for those interested in understanding the role of dams in managing water resources and adapting to changing climate conditions.
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 Kilton Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smith River Near Bristol | 257 cfs | → |
| Baker River Near Rumney | 512 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At West Lebanon | 9,730 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 427 cfs | → |
| Pemigewasset River At Plymouth | 2,450 cfs | → |
| Merrimack River At Franklin Junction | 6,760 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kilton Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Tewksbury Pond Boat Launch
- Grafton Pond Boat Launch
- Crystal Lake Boat Launch
- Waukeena Lake Boat Launch
- George Pond Boat Launch
- School Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Clark Brook Campsite
- Camp Wilmot
- Cardigan Campsites
- Moose Mountain Shelter
- Trapper John Shelter
- Velvet Rocks Shelter
Paddle runs
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
Track Kilton Pond 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 Kilton Pond Dam
Where does the data for Kilton Pond 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 Low 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 Kilton Pond Dam.