Crescent Lake Dam
Crescent Lake Dam is a concrete dam located in Carroll County, New Hampshire, built in 1854. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Crescent Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Crescent Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town Of Wolfeboro (local government). It impounds the Smith River near Wolfeboro.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 131 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3,166 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 21,320 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 36 square miles. Completed in 1854, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 05/25/2021.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The New Hampshire dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Carroll |
| Nearest City | Wolfeboro |
| River/Stream | Smith River |
| Coordinates | 43.58931, -71.20060 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 131 ft |
| Year Completed | 1854 (172 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 21,320 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 21,320 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 12,700 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3,166 acres |
| Drainage Area | 36 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,880 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | TOWN OF WOLFEBORO |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/25/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NH00309 |
| Federal ID | NH00309 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |