Rochester Reservoir Dam
Rochester Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Strafford County, New Hampshire, built in 1935. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Rochester Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Rochester 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 City Of Rochester (local government). It impounds the Howard Brook near Rochester.
The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 668 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 52 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 745 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1935, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 07/13/2021.
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 | Strafford |
| Nearest City | Rochester |
| River/Stream | Howard Brook |
| Coordinates | 43.28978, -71.04215 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 668 ft |
| Year Completed | 1935 (91 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 745 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 745 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 663 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 52 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 419 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF ROCHESTER |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/13/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NH00152 |
| Federal ID | NH00152 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |