Otter Brook Dam dam
Otter Brook Dam
Otter Brook Dam, also known as Otter Brook Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Keene, New Hampshire. Built in 1958 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves primarily for flood risk reduction, with additional recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 119 feet and a length of 1288 feet, the gravity-type dam has a storage capacity of 24,800 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 34,500 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified with a high hazard potential, the dam is regularly inspected and monitored by the US Army Corps of Engineers to manage flood risks effectively. The agency continuously works on maintenance and repairs to ensure the structural integrity of the dam. In case of emergencies, an Emergency Action Plan is in place with updated guidelines and inundation maps to guide response efforts. The dam's risk management measures include engaging with local emergency managers and the public to raise awareness and readiness for potential dam-related emergencies.
In conclusion, Otter Brook Dam is a vital infrastructure for flood protection in the region, demonstrating the importance of proactive risk management and maintenance by the US Army Corps of Engineers to safeguard water resources and mitigate climate-related risks effectively.
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 Otter Brook Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Brook Below Otter Brook Dam | 12 cfs | → |
| Ashuelot River Above The Branch | 21 cfs | → |
| Ashuelot River Below Surry Mt Dam | 259 cfs | → |
| S Br Ashuelot River At Webb | 25 cfs | → |
| Ashuelot River Near Gilsum | 126 cfs | → |
| Ashuelot River At West Swanzey | 598 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Otter Brook Dam.
Boat launches
- Wilson Pond Boat Launch
- Meetinghouse Pond Boat Launch
- Silver Lake Boat Launch
- Stone Pond Boat Launch
- Chapman Pond Boat Launch
- Surry Mountain Lake
Campgrounds
- Wheelock Park Campground
- Pilgrim Pines Camping Area
- Swanzey Lake Camping Area
- Mt Monadnock State Park Campground
- Camp Wanocksett
- Fox Brook Tent Site
Paddle runs
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- Headwaters To Crossing Of Route 100 Near Route 155
- End Of Kendall Farm Road To Confluence With West River
Track Otter Brook 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 Otter Brook Dam
Where does the data for Otter Brook 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 High 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 Otter Brook Dam.