Skatutakee Lake Dam dam
Skatutakee Lake Dam
Nestled in the picturesque town of Harrisville, New Hampshire, Skatutakee Lake Dam stands as a testament to the state's commitment to water resource management and recreation. Built in 1937, this concrete dam on Nubanusit Brook serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy boating, fishing, and other water activities. With a height of 13 feet and a storage capacity of 1303 acre-feet, the dam provides essential flood control measures for the surrounding area while creating a tranquil oasis for visitors.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Skatutakee Lake Dam faces challenges in terms of its structural integrity and hazard potential. A recent condition assessment rated the dam as poor, indicating a need for maintenance and repairs to ensure its long-term functionality and safety. Additionally, the dam's hazard potential is considered significant, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures to prevent potential emergencies and protect downstream communities.
Managed by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau, Skatutakee Lake Dam is subject to state regulations and inspections to uphold its operational standards and ensure compliance with safety guidelines. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the dam's role in managing water flow and storage becomes increasingly vital. With a moderate risk assessment rating and a commitment to ongoing maintenance, Skatutakee Lake Dam remains a cornerstone of water resource management and recreation in Cheshire County, offering both beauty and functionality to 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 Skatutakee Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nubanusit Bk Blw Macdowell Dam Nr Peterborough Nh | 31 cfs | → |
| Contoocook River At Peterborough | 118 cfs | → |
| Otter Brook Below Otter Brook Dam | 12 cfs | → |
| S Br Ashuelot River At Webb | 25 cfs | → |
| North Branch River Near Antrim | 61 cfs | → |
| Ashuelot River Above The Branch | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Skatutakee Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Harrisville Pond Boat Launch
- Dublin Pond Boat Launch
- Silver Lake Boat Launch
- Nubanusit Lake Boat Launch
- Macdowell Reservoir Boat Launch
- Norway Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Camp Wanocksett
- Mt Monadnock State Park Campground
- Wheelock Park Campground
- Fox Brook Tent Site
- Pilgrim Pines Camping Area
- Swanzey Lake Camping Area
Paddle runs
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
- 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)
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Headwaters To Crossing Of Route 100 Near Route 155
Track Skatutakee 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 Skatutakee Lake Dam
Where does the data for Skatutakee 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 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 Skatutakee Lake Dam.