Dream Lake Dam dam
Dream Lake Dam
Located in Amherst, New Hampshire, Dream Lake Dam is a private structure primarily used for recreation. Built in 1966, this concrete dam stands at a height of 9 feet and spans 50 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 86 acre-feet, it serves as a picturesque spot for water enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
The dam, managed by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau, overlooks an unnamed stream and has a spillway width of 3 feet for controlled water release. Despite being classified as having an undetermined hazard potential and being in a not rated condition, regular inspections are conducted to ensure its safety.
With its tranquil surroundings and moderate risk level, Dream Lake Dam offers a peaceful retreat for visitors to enjoy water activities and appreciate the beauty of New Hampshire's natural landscape. It is a testament to the importance of responsible water resource management 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 Dream Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Souhegan River At Merrimack | 256 cfs | → |
| Souhegan River (Site Wlr-1) Near Milford | 181 cfs | → |
| Merrimack R Nr Goffs Falls | 9,610 cfs | → |
| South Branch Piscataquog River Near Goffstown | 143 cfs | → |
| Piscataquog River Near Goffstown | 284 cfs | → |
| Nashua River At East Pepperell | 531 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dream Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Naticook Lake Boat Launch
- Melendy Pond Boat Launch
- Bailey Pond Boat Launch
- Flints Pond Boat Launch
- Heritage Trail Bedford
- Greeley Ramp Road Nashua
Campgrounds
- Pearl Hill Campground
- Damon Pond Campground
- Windham Town Forest Tent Platforms
- Grotonwood
- Camp Wanocksett
- Mt Monadnock State Park Campground
Paddle runs
Track Dream Lake 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 Dream Lake Dam
Where does the data for Dream Lake 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 Undetermined 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 Dream Lake Dam.