Baxter Lake East Dike dam
Baxter Lake East Dike
Baxter Lake East Dike in Rochester, New Hampshire, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1923 for recreation purposes. With a height of 10 feet and a length of 340 feet, this dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 3,432 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 316 acres. It is regulated by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Baxter Lake East Dike is considered to be in fair condition, with its last assessment conducted in September 2016. The dam's risk assessment indicates a high level of risk, prompting the need for effective risk management measures to be implemented. While there are no spillways or locks associated with this structure, its primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities underscores the importance of maintaining its structural integrity to safeguard both the environment and public safety in the surrounding area.
Located on Rickers Brook, this dam serves as a vital component of water resource management in Strafford County, New Hampshire. Its critical role in maintaining water levels for recreational activities highlights the significance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of Baxter Lake East Dike and its surrounding ecosystem in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Baxter Lake East Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cocheco River Near Rochester | 97 cfs | → |
| Isinglass R At Rochester Neck Rd | 53 cfs | → |
| Oyster River Near Durham | 11 cfs | → |
| Lamprey River Near Newmarket | 119 cfs | → |
| Suncook River At North Chichester | 221 cfs | → |
| Mousam River Near West Kennebunk | 225 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Baxter Lake East Dike.
Boat launches
- Baxter Lake Boat Launch
- Swains Lake Boat Launch
- Cathy Schiro O'Brien Cross Country Running Trail Dover
- Canaan Back Road Barrington
- Willand Pond Boat Launch
- Brindle Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Old Stage Campground
- Saddleback Campground
- Green Tops Campground
- Remote Campsite
- Tidewater Campground
- Camp Spaulding
Track Baxter Lake East Dike 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 Baxter Lake East Dike
Where does the data for Baxter Lake East Dike 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 Baxter Lake East Dike.