Forest Lake Dam dam
Forest Lake Dam
Forest Lake Dam, located in Winchester, New Hampshire, stands as a vital structure along the TR Ashuelot River, serving primarily for recreational purposes. Built in 1925, this private earth dam stretches 75 feet in length and stands at a height of 8 feet, with a storage capacity of 378 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is assessed to be in poor condition as of 2012, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and maintenance.
Managed by the NHDES Dam Bureau, Forest Lake Dam is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance. With a drainage area of 6.82 square miles and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam poses a manageable risk level of 3. Although the dam has an uncontrolled spillway type and a limited hydraulic height, it remains a focal point for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers in the area, providing a serene backdrop for recreational activities.
As climate and water resource enthusiasts explore the intricate details of Forest Lake Dam, its historical significance and structural features offer a glimpse into the intersection of human infrastructure and natural landscapes. With ongoing assessments and risk management measures, this dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between harnessing water resources for human use and preserving the ecological integrity of river systems.
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 Forest Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ashuelot River At West Swanzey | 745 cfs | → |
| Ashuelot River At Hinsdale | 971 cfs | → |
| S Br Ashuelot River At Webb | 25 cfs | → |
| Ashuelot River Above The Branch | 21 cfs | → |
| Otter Brook Below Otter Brook Dam | 12 cfs | → |
| East Branch Tully River Near Athol | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forest Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Swanzey Lake Boat Launch
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Spofford Lake Boat Launch
- Wilson Pond Boat Launch
- Meetinghouse Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Swanzey Lake Camping Area
- Pilgrim Pines Camping Area
- Falls Brook Shelter
- Richardson-Zlogar Cabin
- Fort Dummer State Park
- Wheelock Park Campground
Paddle runs
- 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 North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- Headwaters To First Bridge
Track Forest 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 Forest Lake Dam
Where does the data for Forest 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 Forest Lake Dam.