Richardson Brook Pond Dam dam
Richardson Brook Pond Dam
Richardson Brook Pond Dam, located in Lempster, New Hampshire, is a privately owned structure regulated by the NHDES Dam Bureau. Built in 1968, this earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet and spans a length of 220 feet, with a primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities. The dam has a storage capacity of 90 acre-feet and a surface area of 10 acres, serving the Richardson Brook for flood control and water resource management.
Despite being categorized with a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam is subject to regular state inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. The spillway, with a width of 6 feet, is of the uncontrolled type. The risk assessment for Richardson Brook Pond Dam is moderate, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to mitigate any potential hazards or issues that may arise.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and maintenance of dams will find Richardson Brook Pond Dam an intriguing case study. With its unique design features and recreational purposes, this structure serves as a vital component of the local watershed, highlighting the importance of responsible dam ownership and regulation in safeguarding our natural resources.
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 Richardson Brook Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch River Near Antrim | 61 cfs | → |
| Ashuelot River Near Gilsum | 126 cfs | → |
| Contoocook River Near Henniker | 782 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At North Walpole | 11,900 cfs | → |
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 431 cfs | → |
| Williams River Near Rockingham Vt | 144 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Richardson Brook Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Long Pond Boat Launch
- Dodge Pond Boat Launch
- Butterfield Pond Boat Launch
- Sand Pond Boat Launch
- Millen Lake Boat Launch
- Halfmoon Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Fox Brook Tent Site
- Northstar Campground
- Tree Farm Campground
- Mile-Away Campground
- Wheelock Park Campground
- Mt. Ascutney State Park
Paddle runs
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- 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 Crossing Of Route 100 Near Route 155
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
Track Richardson Brook 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 Richardson Brook Pond Dam
Where does the data for Richardson Brook 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 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 Richardson Brook Pond Dam.