Pontook dam
Pontook
Pontook Reservoir Dam, located in Milan, New Hampshire, is a state-regulated hydroelectric facility on the Androscoggin River. Built in 1909 by designer E. C. Jordan, this concrete, rockfill, and timber crib dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a length of 399 feet. With a storage capacity of 883 acre-feet and a surface area of 280 acres, Pontook Reservoir Dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreation.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Pontook Reservoir Dam boasts a spillway width of 312 feet and six vertical lift outlet gates. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is subject to regular state inspections and has a moderate risk assessment rating. While the condition assessment is not available, emergency action plans have been prepared and updated to ensure the safety of nearby communities in case of flooding or other emergencies.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Pontook Reservoir Dam serves as an important example of how a historic dam continues to play a key role in both energy production and local recreation while being actively regulated and inspected to ensure safety and environmental protection. Its location on the Androscoggin River adds to its significance in the region, making it a site of interest for those interested in water management and the intersection of infrastructure and natural resources.
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 Pontook -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Ammonoosuc River Near Groveton | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River At Errol | 3,060 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River Near Gorham | 4,010 cfs | → |
| Diamond River Near Wentworth Location | 592 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At North Stratford | 2,550 cfs | → |
| Wild River At Gilead | 520 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pontook .
Boat launches
- Androscoggin River (Pontook Reservoir) Boat Launch
- Androscoggin River Boat Launch
- Milan
- Nay Pond Boat Launch
- Overlook Road 123, Milan
- Millsfield Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Milan Hill State Park
- Rogers Ledge Campsite
- Mollidgewock State Park
- Percy Loop Tentsite
- Unknown Pond Campsite
- Unknown Pond Tentsite
Track Pontook 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 Pontook
Where does the data for Pontook 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 Pontook .