Wilder dam
Wilder
Wilder is a captivating hydroelectric dam located on the Connecticut River in West Lebanon, New Hampshire. Completed in 1950, this concrete dam stands at a height of 59 feet and spans 2900 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 55,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 302,000 cubic feet per second, Wilder plays a crucial role in harnessing the power of the river for electricity generation and recreational activities.
Managed by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Wilder poses a high hazard potential due to its structural design and location. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 241 feet and a system of slide and Tainter gates for water release. Despite its high-risk classification, current condition assessment information is not available, emphasizing the need for regular inspections and emergency preparedness measures to mitigate potential risks to downstream communities.
Wilder serves as a prime example of balancing the benefits of hydroelectric power generation with the responsibilities of dam safety and environmental stewardship. With its strategic location, impressive engineering design, and critical role in water resource management, Wilder stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and the forces of nature in shaping our energy landscape.
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 Wilder -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut River At West Lebanon | 28,900 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 922 cfs | → |
| White River At West Hartford | 3,550 cfs | → |
| Ompompanoosuc River At Union Village | 16 cfs | → |
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 1,670 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater | 111 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilder .
Boat launches
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Mascoma Lake Boat Launch
- Crystal Lake Boat Launch
- George Pond Boat Launch
- Post Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Wilder 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 Wilder
Where does the data for Wilder 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 Wilder .