Bowers Dam
Bowers Dam is an earth dam located in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, built in 1884. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Bowers Dam
The primary purpose of Bowers 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 Pennichuck Water Works Inc (private). It impounds the Pennichuck Brook near Nashua.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 420 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 88 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,040 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 24 square miles. Completed in 1884, the structure is over a century old.
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 09/27/2022.
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 | Hillsborough |
| Nearest City | Nashua |
| River/Stream | Pennichuck Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.80000, -71.49410 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 420 ft |
| Year Completed | 1884 (142 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,040 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,040 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,060 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 88 acres |
| Drainage Area | 24 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | PENNICHUCK WATER WORKS INC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 09/27/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NH00330 |
| Federal ID | NH00330 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |