Baker River Site 5 Dike dam
Baker River Site 5 Dike
Baker River Site 5 Dike, located in Wentworth, New Hampshire, is a state-regulated earth dam built in 1969 for flood risk reduction on Swain Brook. Standing at a height of 20 feet and spanning 600 feet in length, this structure boasts a normal storage capacity of 39 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 950 acre-feet, serving as a crucial defense against potential flooding in the region. With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is deemed to be in good standing to fulfill its primary purpose effectively.
The dam, overseen by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau, is subject to regular state inspections, with the last assessment conducted in June 2020. While the risk assessment categorizes the structure as having a moderate risk level, appropriate risk management measures are in place to mitigate any potential threats. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, the dam's design and construction adhere to state regulations, ensuring its resilience against extreme weather events and safeguarding the surrounding community from flood risks.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Baker River Site 5 Dike presents a fascinating case study in effective flood risk reduction infrastructure. With its strategic location, sound design, and diligent state oversight, this earth dam on Swain Brook serves as a testament to the importance of proactive water management in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the impacts of climate change. As efforts continue to enhance resilience in the face of evolving environmental challenges, structures like Baker River Site 5 Dike play a vital role in promoting sustainable water resource management practices for a more secure future.
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 Baker River Site 5 Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Baker River Near Rumney | 367 cfs | → |
| Pemigewasset River At Woodstock | 687 cfs | → |
| Pemigewasset River At Plymouth | 1,900 cfs | → |
| East Branch Pemigewasset River At Lincoln | 465 cfs | → |
| Ompompanoosuc River At Union Village | 16 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Wells River | 4,490 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Baker River Site 5 Dike.
Boat launches
- Lower Baker Pond Boat Launch
- Upper Baker Pond Boat Launch
- Armington Lake Boat Launch
- Stinson Lake Boat Launch
- Oliverian Boating Site
- Olivarian Road 99, Benton
Campgrounds
- Ore Hill Tentsite
- Three Ponds Shelter
- Hexacuba Shelter
- Jeffers Brook Shelter
- Smarts Mountain Campsite
- Underhill Campsite
Paddle runs
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
Track Baker River Site 5 Dike 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 Baker River Site 5 Dike
Where does the data for Baker River Site 5 Dike 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 Baker River Site 5 Dike.