Cheshire dam
Cheshire
Cheshire, also known as White Dam, is a private masonry dam located in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, along the Contoocook River. Completed in 1939, this dam serves a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation and stands at a height of 13 feet with a length of 255 feet. With a storage capacity of 342 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 2300 cubic feet per second, Cheshire plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Managed by the NHDES Dam Bureau and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Cheshire has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 30 feet and a single slide (sluice gate) outlet gate. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam undergoes inspections every three years, with the last inspection conducted in June 2018. Despite its age, Cheshire continues to contribute to the renewable energy sector and remains a key asset in the local water infrastructure.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Cheshire as an example of sustainable hydroelectric infrastructure that has stood the test of time. Its historical significance, combined with its operational efficiency and regulatory oversight, make it a noteworthy structure in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. As concerns about climate change and water scarcity grow, dams like Cheshire play a vital role in harnessing clean energy and ensuring water security for future generations.
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 Cheshire -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Contoocook River At Peterborough | 118 cfs | → |
| Nubanusit Bk Blw Macdowell Dam Nr Peterborough Nh | 31 cfs | → |
| Millers River Near Winchendon | 121 cfs | → |
| Priest Brook Near Winchendon | 33 cfs | → |
| S Br Ashuelot River At Webb | 25 cfs | → |
| Birch Hill Reservoir At South Royalston | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cheshire .
Boat launches
- Contoocook Lake Boat Launch
- Frost Pond Boat Launch
- Grassy Pond Boat Launch
- Pool Pond Boat Launch
- Thorndike Pond Boat Launch
- Cunningham Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Camp Wanocksett
- Mt Monadnock State Park Campground
- Lake Dennison State Park
- North Dennison Camping Area
- East Dennison Camping Area
- Otter River State Forest
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
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
Track Cheshire 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 Cheshire
Where does the data for Cheshire 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 Cheshire .