Oyster Reservoir Dam
Oyster Reservoir Dam is a concrete dam located in Strafford County, New Hampshire, built in 1934. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Oyster Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Oyster Reservoir Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by University Of Nh (state). It impounds the Oyster River near Durham.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 180 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 208 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 16 square miles. Completed in 1934, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/12/2022.
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Location
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Strafford |
| Nearest City | Durham |
| River/Stream | Oyster River |
| Coordinates | 43.13250, -70.94130 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 180 ft |
| Year Completed | 1934 (92 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 208 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 208 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 172 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 16 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,997 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | UNIVERSITY OF NH |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/12/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NH00565 |
| Federal ID | NH00565 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |