Souhegan Site 8 South Dike dam
Souhegan Site 8 South Dike
Souhegan Site 8 South Dike, also known as the James A G Putnam Dam, is a state-regulated structure located in Lyndeborough, New Hampshire. Constructed in 1977, this earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and spans a length of 330 feet, serving primarily for flood risk reduction along the Souhegan River. With a storage capacity of 170 acre-feet and a drainage area of 4.44 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and mitigating potential flooding in the region.
Managed by the NHDES Dam Bureau, Souhegan Site 8 South Dike has been assessed as having low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition, last inspected in April 2020. Despite its modest size, the dam remains a key component of the local water resource infrastructure, providing essential flood protection for the surrounding community. With a risk assessment rating of moderate, ongoing risk management measures are likely in place to ensure the continued safety and effectiveness of the structure in the face of potential climate challenges and changing hydrological conditions.
As a significant piece of New Hampshire's water management system, Souhegan Site 8 South Dike stands as a testament to the state's commitment to safeguarding its water resources and addressing the impacts of climate change. With its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition, this earth dam continues to play a vital role in protecting the local area from flooding and ensuring the resilience of the Souhegan River watershed. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, understanding and monitoring structures like Souhegan Site 8 South Dike is essential for maintaining the health and sustainability of our natural water systems in the face of a changing climate.
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 Souhegan Site 8 South Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Souhegan River (Site Wlr-1) Near Milford | 181 cfs | → |
| Contoocook River At Peterborough | 118 cfs | → |
| South Branch Piscataquog River Near Goffstown | 143 cfs | → |
| Nubanusit Bk Blw Macdowell Dam Nr Peterborough Nh | 31 cfs | → |
| Souhegan River At Merrimack | 256 cfs | → |
| Piscataquog River Near Goffstown | 284 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Souhegan Site 8 South Dike.
Boat launches
- Zephyr Lake Boat Launch
- Bailey Pond Boat Launch
- Cunningham Pond Boat Launch
- Melendy Pond Boat Launch
- Contoocook River (Powder Mill Pond) Boat Launch
- Ferrin Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Damon Pond Campground
- Camp Wanocksett
- Pearl Hill Campground
- Mt Monadnock State Park Campground
- Mile-Away Campground
- Grotonwood
Track Souhegan Site 8 South Dike 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 Souhegan Site 8 South Dike
Where does the data for Souhegan Site 8 South Dike 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 Souhegan Site 8 South Dike.