Long Pond Dam dam
Long Pond Dam
Long Pond Dam, located in Benton, New Hampshire, is a federally owned structure designed and constructed by the Forest Service in 1933 for the primary purpose of creating a fish and wildlife pond. The dam, standing at a height of 12 feet with a hydraulic height of 10 feet, spans 415 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 250 acre-feet. Situated on Whitcher Brook, the dam serves as a recreational area and plays a crucial role in the conservation of aquatic habitats in the area.
With a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, Long Pond Dam is regulated and inspected by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau. Although the condition assessment is currently not rated, the dam underwent structural modifications in 1992. The spillway, with a width of 10 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for a maximum discharge of 1650 cubic feet per second in case of overflow. Despite its age, Long Pond Dam continues to be an essential component of water resource management in the region, ensuring the sustainability of the surrounding ecosystem and providing recreational opportunities for visitors.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Long Pond Dam serves as a fascinating example of how human-made structures can positively impact the environment. As a vital component in the management of fish and wildlife habitats, the dam demonstrates the importance of sustainable water resource practices and the integration of recreational opportunities with conservation efforts. With its rich history dating back to the 1930s and ongoing regulatory oversight, Long Pond Dam stands as a symbol of the enduring commitment to protecting and preserving natural resources 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 Long Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut River At Wells River | 4,230 cfs | → |
| Wells River At Wells River | 199 cfs | → |
| East Branch Pemigewasset River At Lincoln | 440 cfs | → |
| Pemigewasset River At Woodstock | 681 cfs | → |
| Baker River Near Rumney | 302 cfs | → |
| Ammonoosuc River At Bethlehem Junction | 253 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Long Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Olivarian Road 99, Benton
- Oliverian Boating Site
- French Pond Boat Launch
- Armington Lake Boat Launch
- Upper Baker Pond Boat Launch
- Lower Baker Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Jeffers Brook Shelter
- Beaver Brook Shelter
- Wildwood Campground
- Harkdale Farm Campsite
- Eliza Brook Shelter
- Kinsman Pond Tentsite
Paddle runs
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
Track Long Pond 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 Long Pond Dam
Where does the data for Long Pond 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 Long Pond Dam.