Union Meadows Dam
Union Meadows Dam is a concrete dam located in Carroll County, New Hampshire, built in 1935. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Union Meadows Dam
The primary purpose of Union Meadows 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 Branch River near Wakefield.
The dam stands 10 feet tall and stretches 67 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 210 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,125 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 31 square miles. Completed in 1935, 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 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 04/25/2022.
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 | Wakefield |
| River/Stream | Branch River |
| Coordinates | 43.49860, -71.02580 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Length | 67 ft |
| Year Completed | 1935 (91 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,125 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,125 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 690 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 210 acres |
| Drainage Area | 31 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,374 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | NH DES WATER DIVISION |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 04/25/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NH00222 |
| Federal ID | NH00222 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |