Sugar River Ii dam
Sugar River Ii
Sugar River II is a private hydroelectric dam situated in Newport, New Hampshire, along the Sugar River. Completed in 2009, this dam stands 10 feet tall and extends 90.5 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 11 acre-feet. With a maximum discharge of 2000 cubic feet per second, it serves as a critical source of renewable energy in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Sugar River II has a spillway width of 23 feet and features two other controlled outlet gates for operational flexibility. The dam has a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. While its condition assessment is not available, regular inspections are conducted to ensure its safety and functionality, underscoring the importance of maintaining such water resource infrastructure for both energy generation and climate resilience efforts in the area.
Overall, Sugar River II represents a vital component of New Hampshire's hydroelectric infrastructure, playing a key role in the local energy landscape. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the sustainable operation of dams like Sugar River II is essential for meeting the region's energy needs while adapting to a changing climate. With its strategic location on the Sugar River and regulated by federal authorities, the dam serves as a model for combining renewable energy generation with effective water resource management practices in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Sugar River Ii -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 598 cfs | → |
| Black River At North Springfield | 287 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 458 cfs | → |
| Williams River Near Rockingham Vt | 175 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At West Lebanon | 7,890 cfs | → |
| Contoocook River Near Henniker | 1,460 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sugar River Ii .
Boat launches
- Perkins Pond Boat Launch
- Rand Pond Boat Launch
- Sunapee Lake Boat Launch
- Lake Avenue 51, Newbury
- Lake Coniston (Long Pond) Boat Launch
- Crescent Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Northstar Campground
- Mt. Ascutney State Park
- Camp Wilmot
- Ascutney Mt Stone Hut
- Tree Farm Campground
- Fox Brook Tent Site
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
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Confluence With Otter Creek To Ten Kilns Brook
Track Sugar River Ii 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 Sugar River Ii
Where does the data for Sugar River Ii 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 Sugar River Ii .