Penacook Upper Falls
Penacook Upper Falls is a concrete dam located in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, built in 1987. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Penacook Upper Falls
The primary purpose of Penacook Upper Falls 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 Briar Hydro Associates (private). It impounds the Contoocook River near Boscawen.
The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 243 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 11 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 71 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 766 square miles. Completed in 1987, the structure is 39 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 06/05/2019.
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Location
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Merrimack |
| Nearest City | Boscawen |
| River/Stream | Contoocook River |
| Coordinates | 43.28310, -71.60070 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 243 ft |
| Year Completed | 1987 (39 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 71 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 71 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 71 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 11 acres |
| Drainage Area | 766 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 35,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Briar Hydro Associates |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/05/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NH00352 |
| Federal ID | NH00352 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |