Steels Pond
Steels Pond is a concrete dam located in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, built in 1909. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Steels Pond
The primary purpose of Steels Pond is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Dichotomy Capital Llc (private). It impounds the North Branch Contoocook River near Hillsborough.
The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 104 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 38 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 190 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 60 square miles. Completed in 1909, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/19/2022.
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Location
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Hillsborough |
| Nearest City | Hillsborough |
| River/Stream | North Branch Contoocook River |
| Coordinates | 43.08040, -71.96810 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Length | 104 ft |
| Year Completed | 1909 (117 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 190 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 190 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 190 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 38 acres |
| Drainage Area | 60 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,300 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Dichotomy Capital LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/19/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NH00037 |
| Federal ID | NH00037 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |