Wason Pond Dam dam
Wason Pond Dam
Located in Chester, New Hampshire, Wason Pond Dam stands as a vital structure regulating the flow of the Ray Brook and providing recreational opportunities for the community since its completion in 1931. Managed by the local government and regulated by the NHDES Dam Bureau, this earth dam with a height of 18 feet and a length of 176 feet serves primarily for recreation, boasting a storage capacity of 75.2 acre-feet and a surface area of 8.4 acres.
With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, Wason Pond Dam has undergone regular inspections, with the last one conducted in October 2019. Despite being uncontrolled, the dam's spillway width of 42 feet ensures efficient water discharge in case of high inflows. The dam's risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, highlighting the importance of ongoing risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding area and downstream communities.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wason Pond Dam represents a fascinating case study of a locally owned and managed structure that harmoniously balances water regulation with recreational benefits. With its historical significance, engineering features, and risk assessment considerations, this dam serves as a valuable asset in the region's water resource management and climate resilience efforts.
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 Wason Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Exeter River At Haigh Road | 52 cfs | → |
| Spicket River At North Salem | 0 cfs | → |
| Merrimack R Nr Goffs Falls | 8,350 cfs | → |
| Beaver Brook At North Pelham | 31 cfs | → |
| Lamprey River Near Newmarket | 119 cfs | → |
| Spicket River Near Methuen | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wason Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Phillips Pond Boat Launch
- Onway Lake Boat Launch
- Massabesic Lake Boat Launch
- Beaver Lake Boat Launch
- Long Pond Boat Launch
- Scobie Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Remote Campsite
- Windham Town Forest Tent Platforms
- Saddleback Campground
- Tidewater Campground
- Old Stage Campground
- Salisbury State Park Reservation
Paddle runs
Track Wason 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 Wason Pond Dam
Where does the data for Wason 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 Wason Pond Dam.