Briar Pipe
Briar Pipe is a masonry dam located in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, built in 1936. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Briar Pipe
The primary purpose of Briar Pipe 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 Briar Hydro Associates (private). It impounds the Contoocook River near Boscawen.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 130 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 760 square miles. Completed in 1936, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 06/04/2019.
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Location
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Merrimack |
| Nearest City | Boscawen |
| River/Stream | Contoocook River |
| Coordinates | 43.27270, -71.60370 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 130 ft |
| Year Completed | 1936 (90 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 37 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3 acres |
| Drainage Area | 760 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Briar Hydro Associates |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/04/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NH00944 |
| Federal ID | NH00944 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |