Watson
Watson is a concrete dam located in Strafford County, New Hampshire, built in 1900. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Watson
The primary purpose of Watson is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Watson Associates (private). It impounds the Cocheco River near Dover.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 290 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 54 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 236 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 180 square miles. Completed in 1900, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 07/21/2022.
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Location
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Strafford |
| Nearest City | Dover |
| River/Stream | Cocheco River |
| Coordinates | 43.21370, -70.92220 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 290 ft |
| Year Completed | 1900 (126 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 236 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 236 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 236 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 54 acres |
| Drainage Area | 180 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 9,170 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Watson Associates |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/21/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NH00549 |
| Federal ID | NH00549 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |