Bowker Pond Dam dam
Bowker Pond Dam
Bowker Pond Dam, located in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, stands as a significant structure regulated by the NHDES Dam Bureau. Built in 1859, this earth dam serves primarily for recreation purposes, offering a serene retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike. With a height of 14 feet and a length of 550 feet, Bowker Pond Dam boasts a storage capacity of 573 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 78 acres.
This dam, situated on the TR Quarry Brook, poses a significant hazard potential and has been assessed to be in fair condition as of July 2017. Despite its age, Bowker Pond Dam continues to be regularly inspected and maintained, with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in June 2019, ensuring preparedness in case of any unforeseen events.
With its historical significance and recreational value, Bowker Pond Dam stands as a testament to both the engineering prowess of its time and the enduring appeal of water resources in shaping our natural landscapes. Enthusiasts can appreciate this dam not only for its structural design but also for the role it plays in providing a tranquil environment for outdoor activities and wildlife habitat in the Cheshire County area of New Hampshire.
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 Bowker Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| S Br Ashuelot River At Webb | 25 cfs | → |
| Priest Brook Near Winchendon | 33 cfs | → |
| Millers River Near Winchendon | 121 cfs | → |
| Ashuelot River At West Swanzey | 598 cfs | → |
| Ashuelot River Above The Branch | 21 cfs | → |
| Otter Brook Below Otter Brook Dam | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bowker Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Perkins Pond Boat Launch
- Laurel Lake Boat Launch
- Meetinghouse Pond Boat Launch
- Stone Pond Boat Launch
- Pool Pond Boat Launch
- Thorndike Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Mt Monadnock State Park Campground
- Falls Brook Shelter
- Camp Wanocksett
- Swanzey Lake Camping Area
- Pilgrim Pines Camping Area
- Tully Lake
Paddle runs
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
- End Of Kendall Farm Road To Confluence With West River
Track Bowker Pond Dam 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 Bowker Pond Dam
Where does the data for Bowker Pond 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 Significant 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 Bowker Pond Dam.