Hoague - Sprague

Hoague - Sprague is a timber crib dam located in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, built in 1906. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Hoague - Sprague

The primary purpose of Hoague - Sprague 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 West Hopkinton Hydro, Llc (private). It impounds the Contoocook River near Hopkinton.

The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 350 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 26 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 427 square miles. Completed in 1906, 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 06/19/2024.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateNew Hampshire
CountyMerrimack
Nearest CityHopkinton
River/StreamContoocook River
Coordinates43.19000, -71.74840

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeTimber Crib
NID Height14 ft
Dam Height14 ft
Dam Length350 ft
Year Completed1906 (120 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage26 acre-ft
Max Storage26 acre-ft
Normal Storage26 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area427 sq mi
Max Discharge19,562 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeHydroelectric
OwnerWest Hopkinton Hydro, LLC
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection06/19/2024
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDNH00070
Federal IDNH00070
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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