J. Brodie Smith dam
J. Brodie Smith
J. Brodie Smith, also known as Smith Dam, is a private hydroelectric structure located in Coos County, New Hampshire, along the Androscoggin River. Completed in 1948, this concrete gravity dam stands at a height of 31 feet and has a length of 550 feet, with a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet. The dam is under the regulatory oversight of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES DAM BUREAU) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
With a hazard potential rated as high and a risk assessment indicating a very high risk level, J. Brodie Smith is a critical infrastructure for water resource and climate management in the region. The dam has a controlled spillway with a width of 476 feet and is equipped with outlet gates for water release. While the condition assessment is not currently available, the dam undergoes regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and operational safety.
As a key component of the hydroelectric network in New Hampshire, J. Brodie Smith plays a vital role in water storage, flood control, and power generation. With its strategic location and significant impact on the surrounding environment, the dam's management and maintenance are essential for sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in the region. Its association with federal and state agencies underscores the collaborative effort to ensure the safety and efficiency of this crucial infrastructure.
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 J. Brodie Smith -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin River Near Gorham | 4,290 cfs | → |
| Wild River At Gilead | 239 cfs | → |
| Upper Ammonoosuc River Near Groveton | 617 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River At Errol | 3,610 cfs | → |
| Ellis River At South Andover | 383 cfs | → |
| Ammonoosuc River At Bethlehem Junction | 311 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near J. Brodie Smith .
Boat launches
- Overlook Road 123, Milan
- Nay Pond Boat Launch
- Milan
- Androscoggin River Boat Launch
- Androscoggin River (Pontook Reservoir) Boat Launch
- Basin Brook Dam Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Trident Col Tentsite
- Gentian Pond Shelter
- Moose Brook State Park
- Rattle River Shelter
- Milan Hill State Park
- Barnes Field Group Campground
Track J. Brodie Smith 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 J. Brodie Smith
Where does the data for J. Brodie Smith 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 J. Brodie Smith .