Lake Sunapee Dam, located in Sullivan, New Hampshire, is a concrete buttress structure completed in 1932 with a primary purpose of recreation.
Owned by the state, the dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau. The dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans 80 feet, holding a storage capacity of 40,900 acre-feet and serving a drainage area of 44.8 square miles.
With a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Lake Sunapee Dam poses a potential threat that is closely monitored through regular inspections and emergency action plans. The spillway, with a width of 14 feet, is uncontrolled, and the dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 600 cubic feet per second. The dam's condition is currently not rated, but it meets state regulatory standards and has a history of compliance with inspection protocols.
The dam's location on the Sugar River in Sunapee serves as a vital recreational resource, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities. Despite its age, Lake Sunapee Dam continues to play a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in the region, highlighting the importance of sustainable infrastructure for climate resilience and resource protection.
Wind
Humidity
Year Completed |
1932 |
Dam Length |
80 |
Dam Height |
14 |
River Or Stream |
SUGAR RIVER |
Primary Dam Type |
Concrete |
Surface Area |
4090 |
Drainage Area |
44.8 |
Nid Storage |
40900 |
Hazard Potential |
Significant |
Foundations |
Unlisted/Unknown |
Nid Height |
14 |
Sugar River At West Claremont
|
276cfs |
Contoocook River Near Henniker
|
359cfs |
Warner River At Davisville
|
65cfs |
Ottauquechee River At North Hartland
|
163cfs |
Blackwater River Near Webster
|
19cfs |
Smith River Near Bristol
|
39cfs |