Avery dam
Avery
Avery, located in Laconia, New Hampshire, is a privately owned dam that plays a crucial role in hydroelectric power generation on the Winnipesaukee River. Built in 1947, this concrete structure stands at a height of 13.3 feet and has a dam length of 114 feet. With a storage capacity of 3700 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 5960 cubic feet per second, Avery serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock maintenance, and recreation in addition to its primary function of hydroelectric power generation.
Managed by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau, Avery is regulated and inspected at both the state and federal levels. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees its operations and inspections, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Despite being classified as a low hazard potential dam, Avery is subject to a very high risk assessment due to its critical role in water resource management and energy production in the region. Emergency action plans and risk management measures are in place to mitigate any potential risks associated with the dam.
With its controlled spillway, two slide gates, and a spillway width of 90 feet, Avery is equipped to handle various water flow scenarios and maintain water levels in the reservoir. As a significant structure in the Belknap County landscape, Avery stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management and the integration of renewable energy sources in the region. Its history, design, and operational efficiency make it a valuable asset for both water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure development and environmental conservation.
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 Avery -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Winnipesaukee River At Tilton | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Merrimack River At Franklin Junction | 4,850 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Bristol | 160 cfs | → |
| Pemigewasset River At Plymouth | 1,690 cfs | → |
| Suncook River At North Chichester | 221 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Webster | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Avery .
Boat launches
- Beacon Street West 53, Laconia
- Winnisquam Avenue 21, Laconia
- Messer Street Lakeport
- Bell Street Lakeport
- Saltmarsh Pond Boat Launch
- Laconia Road 905, Tilton
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
Track Avery 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 Avery
Where does the data for Avery 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 Avery .