Great East Lake Dam Dam
Great East Lake Dam
Great East Lake Dam, located in Wakefield, New Hampshire, is a concrete structure built in 1825 with a primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 15 feet and stretching 68 feet in length, the dam holds a storage capacity of 27,700 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 19,600 acre-feet across its 1,800-acre surface area. The dam regulates flow on the Salmon Falls River and is under the jurisdiction of the NHDES Dam Bureau for regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, the dam's risk level is considered moderate. The last condition assessment was conducted in May 2018, with inspections occurring every 4 years and the Emergency Action Plan last revised in November 2020. The spillway, with a width of 41 feet, is uncontrolled, and the dam is not associated with any locks or outlet gates. The dam poses a significant risk but is actively managed to ensure the safety of the surrounding area and residents.
With its historical significance dating back to the early 19th century, Great East Lake Dam serves as a vital recreational and water resource for the community. Despite its age and condition, the dam remains a key infrastructure for managing water flow in the region and highlights the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to mitigate potential hazards. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Great East Lake Dam presents a fascinating case study in dam management and the intersection of historical preservation with modern safety standards.
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 Great East Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mousam River Near West Kennebunk | 32 cfs | → |
| Saco River At Cornish | 997 cfs | → |
| Cocheco River Near Rochester | 14 cfs | → |
| Isinglass R At Rochester Neck Rd | 6 cfs | → |
| Bearcamp River At South Tamworth | 22 cfs | → |
| Oyster River Near Durham | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Great East Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Great East Lake Dam
Where does the data for Great East Lake 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 below 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.
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.