Newfound Lake Dam
Newfound Lake Dam is a concrete dam located in Grafton County, New Hampshire, built in 1840. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Newfound Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Newfound Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Nh Des Water Division (state). It impounds the Newfound River near Bristol.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 117 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4,462 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 40,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 95 square miles. Completed in 1840, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/21/2022.
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 | Grafton |
| Nearest City | Bristol |
| River/Stream | Newfound River |
| Coordinates | 43.61720, -71.74080 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 117 ft |
| Year Completed | 1840 (186 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 40,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 40,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 27,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 4,462 acres |
| Drainage Area | 95 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 8,760 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | NH DES WATER DIVISION |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 09/21/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NH00137 |
| Federal ID | NH00137 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |