Sunapee dam
Sunapee
Sunapee, also known as River Road Dam or Sugar River Dam, is a picturesque masonry dam located in Newport, New Hampshire. Built in 1856, this historic structure serves a primary purpose of generating hydroelectric power from the Sugar River. With a height of 15 feet and a length of 71 feet, Sunapee has a storage capacity of 5 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 600 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau, Sunapee is also under the oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is currently unavailable. However, regular inspections are conducted to ensure its safety and functionality. In case of emergencies, an emergency action plan is in place, although the last revision dates back to 2005.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sunapee presents a fascinating blend of history, engineering, and environmental stewardship. As a vital component of the local hydroelectric infrastructure, this dam plays a crucial role in harnessing renewable energy from the Sugar River. Its location in the scenic Sullivan County offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the intersection of human ingenuity and natural resources. Despite the potential risks associated with its operation, Sunapee stands as a testament to the sustainable utilization of water resources for the benefit of the community.
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 Sunapee -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 1,670 cfs | → |
| Contoocook River Near Henniker | 2,740 cfs | → |
| Warner River At Davisville | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 922 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Webster | 19 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Bristol | 1,320 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sunapee .
Boat launches
- Sunapee Lake Boat Launch
- Perkins Pond Boat Launch
- Lake Avenue 51, Newbury
- Rand Pond Boat Launch
- Lake Coniston (Long Pond) Boat Launch
- Pleasant Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Northstar Campground
- Camp Wilmot
- Mt. Ascutney State Park
- Fox Brook Tent Site
- Ascutney Mt Stone Hut
- Clark Brook Campsite
Paddle runs
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
- Headwaters To Crossing Of Route 100 Near Route 155
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
Track Sunapee 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 Sunapee
Where does the data for Sunapee 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 Significant 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 Sunapee .