Downing Pond Dam dam
Downing Pond Dam
Downing Pond Dam, located in New Durham, New Hampshire, is a concrete structure completed in 1921 primarily used for recreation. The dam stands at a height of 15 feet, with a length of 80 feet, and a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet. Situated on the Merrymeeting River, the dam is regulated by the NHDES DAM BUREAU and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its fair condition and low hazard potential.
Despite its age, Downing Pond Dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, providing a picturesque setting for outdoor activities and water recreation in the Strafford County area. The dam's moderate risk assessment suggests that appropriate risk management measures are in place to mitigate any potential hazards. With its historical significance and importance for the local community, Downing Pond Dam remains a vital part of New Hampshire's water resource infrastructure.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Downing Pond Dam to be a fascinating example of early 20th-century engineering and its ongoing role in supporting recreational activities and water management in the region. With its controlled spillway and regular inspections, the dam represents a balance between nature and human intervention, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all who visit the Merrymeeting River area.
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 Downing Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cocheco River Near Rochester | 97 cfs | → |
| Suncook River At North Chichester | 221 cfs | → |
| Isinglass R At Rochester Neck Rd | 53 cfs | → |
| Winnipesaukee River At Tilton | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Soucook River | 22 cfs | → |
| Oyster River Near Durham | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Downing Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Merrymeeting Lake Boat Launch
- Lake Winnipesaukee Boat Launch
- Halfmoon Lake Boat Launch
- Brindle Pond Boat Launch
- Upper Suncook Lake Boat Launch
- Crystal Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Green Tops Campground
- Saddleback Campground
- Old Stage Campground
- Remote Campsite
- Heron Cove
- Camp Spaulding
Track Downing 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 Downing Pond Dam
Where does the data for Downing 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 Downing Pond Dam.