Crescent Lake Dam dam
Crescent Lake Dam
Crescent Lake Dam, also known as Wentworth Pond Dam, is a concrete structure located in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, along the Smith River. Completed in 1854, the dam stands at a height of 15 feet and stretches 131 feet in length. Its primary purpose is recreational, offering a surface area of 3166 square feet and a normal storage capacity of 12,700 acre-feet. However, recent inspections have revealed a poor condition assessment and a high hazard potential, indicating a need for maintenance and potential risk management measures.
Managed by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau, Crescent Lake Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state authorities. Despite its historical significance and recreational value, the dam's deteriorating condition poses a moderate risk (rated 3 out of 5) to the surrounding area. With a maximum discharge capacity of 1,880 cubic feet per second, the dam's uncontrolled spillway and poor condition highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and potential rehabilitation efforts to ensure the safety and integrity of this vital water resource in Carroll County.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Crescent Lake Dam can appreciate its historical significance and recreational value while also recognizing the need for proactive risk management and maintenance efforts to protect the surrounding community and environment. As a key feature along the Smith River, the dam's high hazard potential underscores the importance of regular inspections, emergency preparedness, and potential rehabilitation to ensure the continued safety and functionality of this essential infrastructure in 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 Crescent Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bearcamp River At South Tamworth | 164 cfs | → |
| Winnipesaukee River At Tilton | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Suncook River At North Chichester | 221 cfs | → |
| Cocheco River Near Rochester | 97 cfs | → |
| Merrimack River At Franklin Junction | 4,850 cfs | → |
| Saco River At Cornish | 7,160 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crescent Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Crescent Lake Boat Launch
- Lake Winnipesaukee Boat Launch
- Mirror Lake Boat Launch
- Merrymeeting Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
Track Crescent Lake 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 Crescent Lake Dam
Where does the data for Crescent Lake 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 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 Crescent Lake Dam.