Putney Meadow Pond Dam dam
Putney Meadow Pond Dam
Located in Bow, New Hampshire, Putney Meadow Pond Dam is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Built in 1800, this earth dam stands at a height of 8 feet and spans a length of 90 feet. With a storage capacity of 75 acre-feet and a surface area of 28 acres, the dam regulates the flow of TR Black Brook, providing a serene and picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2015 deemed it to be in poor condition, warranting regular inspections every 6 years. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau is responsible for regulating and enforcing state requirements for the maintenance and operation of Putney Meadow Pond Dam. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the need for proper management and maintenance of aging infrastructure like Putney Meadow Pond Dam becomes increasingly critical to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Putney Meadow Pond Dam offers a compelling case study in the management of recreational water structures within the context of changing environmental conditions. With its historical significance dating back to the 19th century, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing human recreational needs with the preservation of natural ecosystems. As efforts to address climate change intensify, the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of dams like Putney Meadow Pond Dam will be essential in adapting to a rapidly changing world.
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 Putney Meadow Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Piscataquog River Bl Everett Dam | 8 cfs | → |
| Piscataquog River Near Goffstown | 137 cfs | → |
| South Branch Piscataquog River Near Goffstown | 127 cfs | → |
| Soucook River | 22 cfs | → |
| Contoocook R Bl Hopkinton Dam At W Hopkinton | 758 cfs | → |
| Merrimack R Nr Goffs Falls | 8,350 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Putney Meadow Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Kimball Pond Boat Launch
- Turee Pond Boat Launch
- Gorham Pond Boat Launch
- Piscataquog River (Glen Lake) Boat Launch
- Drew Lake Boat Launch
- Mount William Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Camp Spaulding
- Mile-Away Campground
- Saddleback Campground
- Remote Campsite
- Windham Town Forest Tent Platforms
- Fox Brook Tent Site
Track Putney Meadow 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 Putney Meadow Pond Dam
Where does the data for Putney Meadow 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 Putney Meadow Pond Dam.