Woodward Pond Dam
Woodward Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, built in 1836. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Woodward Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Woodward Pond 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 Keene Dpw (local government). It impounds the Roaring Brook near Roxbury.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 140 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,856 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1836, 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 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 09/17/2021.
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 | Cheshire |
| Nearest City | Roxbury |
| River/Stream | Roaring Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.95220, -72.17880 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1836 (190 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,856 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,856 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,197 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 140 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 788 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF KEENE DPW |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/17/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NH00397 |
| Federal ID | NH00397 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |