Rochester Reservoir Dike Spillway
Rochester Reservoir Dike Spillway is an earth dam located in Strafford County, New Hampshire, built in 1935. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Rochester Reservoir Dike Spillway
The primary purpose of Rochester Reservoir Dike Spillway 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 Rochester (local government). It impounds the Rochester Reservoir near Barrington.
The dam stands 2 feet tall and stretches 20 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 56 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 790 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1935, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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. The most recent inspection on record was 07/13/2021.
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 | Strafford |
| Nearest City | Barrington |
| River/Stream | Rochester Reservoir |
| Coordinates | 43.28440, -71.05690 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 2 ft |
| Dam Height | 2 ft |
| Dam Length | 20 ft |
| Year Completed | 1935 (91 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 790 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 790 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 550 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 56 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 383 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF ROCHESTER |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/13/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NH01250 |
| Federal ID | NH01250 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |