Cascade dam
Cascade
Cascade is a hydroelectric dam located along the Androscoggin River in Gorham, New Hampshire. This concrete, earth, and gravity dam stands at a height of 57.3 feet and was completed in 1903, with a storage capacity of 200 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the NHDES Dam Bureau and inspected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, ensuring its safety and compliance with state and federal regulations.
With a high hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Cascade plays a crucial role in generating hydroelectric power while also managing water resources in the region. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and capacity to discharge up to 40,000 cubic feet per second demonstrate its importance in flood control and water management. Despite its age, Cascade's structural integrity and operational efficiency are maintained through regular inspections and adherence to safety protocols.
As a key player in the water resource and climate landscape of Coos County, New Hampshire, Cascade serves as a testament to the intersection of renewable energy production and environmental stewardship. Its historical significance, combined with its modern functionality and regulatory oversight, make it a noteworthy structure for enthusiasts interested in water resources management and climate resilience.
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 Cascade -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin River Near Gorham | 4,510 cfs | → |
| Wild River At Gilead | 1,210 cfs | → |
| Upper Ammonoosuc River Near Groveton | 1,820 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River At Errol | 1,790 cfs | → |
| Ellis River At South Andover | 1,490 cfs | → |
| Ammonoosuc River At Bethlehem Junction | 756 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cascade .
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
- Moose Brook State Park
- Gentian Pond Shelter
- Rattle River Shelter
- Barnes Field Group Campground
- Dolly Copp
Track Cascade 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 Cascade
Where does the data for Cascade 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 Cascade .