Sand Pond Dam dam
Sand Pond Dam
Sand Pond Dam in Marlow, New Hampshire, is a privately owned structure regulated by the NHDES Dam Bureau. Completed in 1925, this earth dam stands at 12 feet high and spans 250 feet, serving primarily for recreational purposes along the Ashuelot River. With a storage capacity of 1018 acre-feet and a surface area of 161 acres, the dam's hazard potential is rated as low, with a fair condition assessment.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is moderate, indicating a need for continued monitoring and maintenance. The last inspection in June 2018 revealed a fair condition, with a recommended inspection frequency of every 6 years. The dam lacks Emergency Action Plan (EAP) preparation and updated contact information, highlighting areas for improvement in emergency response readiness.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Sand Pond Dam as a vital component of the recreational landscape in Cheshire County. Its historical significance, coupled with its role in water storage and leisure activities, underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management to ensure the safety and sustainability of this essential 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 Sand Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ashuelot River Near Gilsum | 126 cfs | → |
| North Branch River Near Antrim | 61 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At North Walpole | 11,900 cfs | → |
| Ashuelot River Below Surry Mt Dam | 259 cfs | → |
| Contoocook River Near Henniker | 782 cfs | → |
| Otter Brook Below Otter Brook Dam | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sand Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Sand Pond Boat Launch
- Long Pond Boat Launch
- Ashuelot Pond Boat Launch
- Millen Lake Boat Launch
- Stone Pond Boat Launch
- Dodge Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Fox Brook Tent Site
- Northstar Campground
- Tree Farm Campground
- Wheelock Park Campground
- Mile-Away Campground
- Camp Wanocksett
Paddle runs
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Headwaters To Crossing Of Route 100 Near Route 155
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
Track Sand 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 Sand Pond Dam
Where does the data for Sand 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 Low 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 Sand Pond Dam.