Ragged Mountain Snow Pond Dam Dam
Ragged Mountain Snow Pond Dam
Ragged Mountain Snow Pond Dam, located in Danbury, New Hampshire, is a privately owned structure that serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. Completed in 1996, this earth dam stands at a height of 49 feet and stretches 250 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 17 acre-feet and a normal storage of 10 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 2.3 acres and has a drainage area of 0.23 square miles.
Managed by the NHDES Dam Bureau, Ragged Mountain Snow Pond Dam has a low hazard potential and is considered to be in fair condition. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 2 feet and a maximum discharge of 129 cubic feet per second. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam has not undergone any modifications in recent years and is inspected on a biannual basis. With its location in the Merrimack County and a river/stream designation of TR DANBURY BOG MARSH, this dam is a significant part of the local water resource infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Ragged Mountain Snow Pond Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and environmental risk assessment. As a privately owned structure with state regulation and inspection, this dam serves as a crucial component in the local ecosystem while also posing potential risks that require ongoing monitoring and maintenance. The combination of its multiple purposes, earth dam construction, and controlled storage capacity make it a valuable site for understanding the intersection of human infrastructure and natural resources in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Ragged Mountain Snow Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smith River Near Bristol | 22 cfs | → |
| Merrimack River At Franklin Junction | 905 cfs | → |
| Winnipesaukee River At Tilton | 352 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Webster | 19 cfs | → |
| Warner River At Davisville | 24 cfs | → |
| Pemigewasset River At Plymouth | 277 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ragged Mountain Snow Pond Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Ragged Mountain Snow Pond Dam
Where does the data for Ragged Mountain Snow 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 below 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.
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.