Red Hill River Dam dam
Red Hill River Dam
Situated in Sandwich, New Hampshire, the Red Hill River Dam stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity since its completion in 1870. This private-owned Earth dam spans 115 feet in length and reaches a height of 7 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 175 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam serves as a vital resource for water enthusiasts in the area, offering a serene surface area of 39 acres for various recreational activities.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, the Red Hill River Dam has been marked with a poor condition assessment, raising concerns about its overall structural integrity. With a hazard potential categorized as low but a moderate risk assessment rating, there is a need for increased monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the preservation of this essential water resource. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau oversees the regulation, inspection, and enforcement of the dam, highlighting the importance of ongoing management and risk mitigation measures.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the Red Hill River Dam serves as a critical reminder of the need for proactive maintenance and emergency preparedness. With its location in Carroll County and proximity to the Red Hill River, this dam plays a vital role in managing water flow and providing recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike. As discussions around climate resilience and water management intensify, the Red Hill River Dam stands as a focal point for collaboration and stewardship in safeguarding our precious water 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 Red Hill River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bearcamp River At South Tamworth | 164 cfs | → |
| Pemigewasset River At Plymouth | 1,690 cfs | → |
| Pemigewasset River At Woodstock | 681 cfs | → |
| East Branch Pemigewasset River At Lincoln | 440 cfs | → |
| Baker River Near Rumney | 302 cfs | → |
| Saco River Near Conway | 1,420 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Red Hill River Dam.
Boat launches
- Berry Pond Boat Launch
- Lees Pond Boat Launch
- Lake Winnipesaukee Boat Launch
- Kanasatka Lake Boat Launch
- Squam Lake Public Boat Launch
- Winona Lake Boat Launch
Paddle runs
- 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
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
Track Red Hill River 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 Red Hill River Dam
Where does the data for Red Hill River 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 Red Hill River Dam.