Newfound Lake Dam dam
Newfound Lake Dam
Newfound Lake Dam, located in Bristol, New Hampshire, stands as a crucial structure along the Newfound River. Built in 1840, this concrete dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, providing a storage capacity of 40,000 acre-feet. With a height of 12 feet and a length of 117 feet, the dam creates a surface area of 4410 acres and drains a watershed area of 95 square miles. Despite its age, the dam has faced inspection and regulation by the NHDES Dam Bureau, ensuring its safety and functionality.
However, recent assessments have raised concerns about the dam's condition, as it has been labeled as having a "Poor" condition assessment with a "High" hazard potential. The last inspection in June 2020 highlighted the need for improvements to mitigate risks associated with the structure. With a moderate risk rating of 3, there is a call for increased risk management measures to address potential safety issues. Efforts to update emergency action plans and conduct risk assessments are essential for ensuring the long-term viability of the Newfound Lake Dam.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change must closely monitor the developments surrounding the Newfound Lake Dam to safeguard the surrounding communities and the environment. As a vital piece of infrastructure for both recreation and water management, the dam's maintenance and upkeep are crucial to prevent any potential hazards. With proper risk management measures and regular inspections, the Newfound Lake Dam can continue to serve its purpose effectively while minimizing any risks posed to the area.
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 Newfound Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smith River Near Bristol | 180 cfs | → |
| Pemigewasset River At Plymouth | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Baker River Near Rumney | 367 cfs | → |
| Merrimack River At Franklin Junction | 5,420 cfs | → |
| Winnipesaukee River At Tilton | 1,590 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Webster | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Newfound Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Mooney Clark Landing Road Bristol
- Spectacle Pond Boat Launch
- School Pond Boat Launch
- Wickwas Lake Boat Launch
- Winona Lake Boat Launch
- Giles Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
Track Newfound 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 Newfound Lake Dam
Where does the data for Newfound 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 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 Newfound Lake Dam.