Whittemore Lake Dam dam
Whittemore Lake Dam
Whittemore Lake Dam, located in Bennington, New Hampshire, on the TR Contoocook River, was completed in 1886 for the primary purpose of recreation. This State-owned dam stands at 11 feet high with a length of 120 feet, providing a storage capacity of 213 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 40.5 acres. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is currently rated as poor, indicating a need for maintenance and repairs to ensure the structure's continued safety and functionality.
Managed by the NHDES Dam Bureau, Whittemore Lake Dam is subject to state regulations, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With a moderate risk assessment and a history of poor condition, there is a pressing need for improved risk management measures to address potential safety concerns. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 40 feet, capable of discharging up to 639 cubic feet per second. As a popular recreation spot, the dam plays a vital role in providing outdoor activities for residents and visitors in the Hillsborough County area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Whittemore Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study of a historic earth dam that requires attention to maintain its structural integrity and ensure public safety. With its location on the Contoocook River, the dam's impact on local hydrology and ecology underscores the importance of responsible dam management practices. As discussions continue regarding the dam's future maintenance and risk mitigation strategies, stakeholders must prioritize sustainable solutions to preserve this valuable resource for future generations.
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 Whittemore Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch River Near Antrim | 61 cfs | → |
| Nubanusit Bk Blw Macdowell Dam Nr Peterborough Nh | 31 cfs | → |
| Contoocook River At Peterborough | 118 cfs | → |
| Contoocook River Near Henniker | 782 cfs | → |
| South Branch Piscataquog River Near Goffstown | 143 cfs | → |
| Souhegan River (Site Wlr-1) Near Milford | 181 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whittemore Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Contoocook River (Powder Mill Pond) Boat Launch
- Norway Pond Boat Launch
- Zephyr Lake Boat Launch
- Gregg Lake Boat Launch
- Nubanusit Lake Boat Launch
- Macdowell Reservoir Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Camp Wanocksett
- Mt Monadnock State Park Campground
- Fox Brook Tent Site
- Mile-Away Campground
- Wheelock Park Campground
- Pilgrim Pines Camping Area
Paddle runs
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- 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 Crossing Of Route 100 Near Route 155
Track Whittemore 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 Whittemore Lake Dam
Where does the data for Whittemore 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 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 Whittemore Lake Dam.