Franklin Falls Dam, New Hampshire, USA

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Quick Facts About Franklin Falls Dam

Location: Merrimack, New Hampshire
Coordinates: 43.468948, -71.6593066
River: Pemigewasset River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Rockfill Earth Gravity
Commissioned: 1943
Dam Height: 116 ft (35 m)
Dam Length: 1,740 ft (530 m)
Dam Capacity: 222,000 acre-ft (273,833 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available

Franklin Falls Dam Map

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Franklin Falls Dam Information

Franklin Falls Dam is a rockfill earth gravity dam located in Franklin, Merrimack, New Hampshire.

The dam, which is on the Pemigewasset River, was primarily built for Flood Risk Reduction purposes, but also serves for benefits.

The dam was designed by CENAE and commissioned in 1943 and is currently owned by USACE – New England District.

Franklin Falls Dam Structure

The Franklin Falls Dam is approximately 1,740 feet (530 m) long, 116 feet (35 m) high and has a structural volume of 3,070,000 cubic yards (2,347,184 cubic metres).

Franklin Falls Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 3,000 acre-ft (3,700 Ml) and maximum capacity of 222,000 acre-ft (273,833 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 440 acres (178 ha) and the total catchment area is 1,000 square miles (2,590 square kilometres).

Franklin Falls Dam Spillway

The dam has a 546 feet (166 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 205000 cubic feet per second (5805 cubic metres per second).

Franklin Falls Dam Compared to Four Famous American Dams

Franklin Falls Dam
Merrimack, New Hampshire
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft) 116 730 550 357 216
Length (Ft) 1,740 1,244 5,673 6,920 1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft) 222,000 30,237,000 9,562,000 3,540,000 29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles) 1,000 167,800 74,100 3,611 108,355

Franklin Falls Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Franklin Falls Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Franklin Falls Dam

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Franklin Falls Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Franklin Falls Dam?

Franklin Falls Dam is in New Hampshire.

In which county is the Franklin Falls Dam?

Franklin Falls Dam is in Merrimack County.

How high is the Franklin Falls Dam?

Franklin Falls Dam is 116 feet high.

How long is the Franklin Falls Dam?

Franklin Falls Dam is 1,740 feet long.

Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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