Smith Pond Dam dam
Smith Pond Dam
Smith Pond Dam, located in Enfield, New Hampshire, serves as a vital recreational resource for water and climate enthusiasts. Built in 1947, this private-owned earth dam stands at a height of 11.5 feet and has a storage capacity of 611 acre-feet, providing ample opportunities for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities on its 73.5-acre surface area.
Managed by the NHDES Dam Bureau, Smith Pond Dam is state-regulated and regularly inspected to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is in satisfactory condition and meets emergency action plan guidelines. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam continues to be a popular destination for both locals and visitors seeking to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Smith Pond Brook.
As part of the New England District and New York District, Smith Pond Dam remains a significant feature in the Grafton County landscape, offering a picturesque setting for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Its uncontrolled spillway, along with a drainage area of 0.65 square miles, contributes to the dam's functionality and resilience in managing water flow. With its rich history and ongoing commitment to safety and recreation, Smith Pond Dam embodies the intersection of environmental stewardship and community engagement in New Hampshire.
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 Smith Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut River At West Lebanon | 14,000 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 490 cfs | → |
| Ompompanoosuc River At Union Village | 16 cfs | → |
| White River At West Hartford | 1,750 cfs | → |
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 698 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Bristol | 353 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- George Pond Boat Launch
- Crystal Lake Boat Launch
- Mascoma Lake Boat Launch
- Grafton Pond Boat Launch
- Mcdaniels Marsh Boat Launch
- Tewksbury Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
Track Smith 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 Smith Pond Dam
Where does the data for Smith 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 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 Smith Pond Dam.