Upper Reservoir Dam dam
Upper Reservoir Dam
Upper Reservoir Dam in Hanover, New Hampshire, stands as a vital structure for water supply, completed in 1924 with a height of 30 feet and a length of 1340 feet. Managed by the Local Government and regulated by the NHDES Dam Bureau, this dam on Camp Brook has a maximum storage capacity of 427 acre-feet and a normal storage of 321 acre-feet, serving the community with essential water resources. Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, regular inspections and enforcement ensure its structural integrity and public safety.
Located within Grafton County, Upper Reservoir Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region, with a drainage area of 0.96 square miles and a spillway width of 25 feet for controlled discharge. The dam's risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, prompting the need for ongoing risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards. With State jurisdiction, permitting, and inspection in place, the dam continues to operate effectively, meeting the guidelines for emergency action plans and ensuring preparedness for any contingencies.
As a cornerstone of water supply infrastructure in New Hampshire, Upper Reservoir Dam exemplifies the intersection of engineering excellence and environmental stewardship. With a commitment to upholding safety standards and regulatory compliance, the dam remains a cornerstone of the community's resilience in the face of changing climate conditions. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of this dam in safeguarding the region's water supply and contributing to sustainable resource management practices.
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 Upper Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ompompanoosuc River At Union Village | 16 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At West Lebanon | 6,790 cfs | → |
| White River At West Hartford | 1,370 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 394 cfs | → |
| Baker River Near Rumney | 367 cfs | → |
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 431 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Mascoma Lake Boat Launch
- Post Pond Boat Launch
- Reservoir Pond Boat Launch
- Crystal Lake Boat Launch
- George Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
Track Upper Reservoir 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 Upper Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Upper Reservoir 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 Upper Reservoir Dam.