State Regulatory and Permitting

Requirements

Nancy McGrath

Outreach Coordinator

NH Department of Environmental Services

Environmental Business Council of New England

Energy Environment Economy

NH DES, Dam Bureau

Dam’s and River Restoration

Merrimack Village Dam

2008 removed

Dam Regulation

Dam Owner Responsibilities

Extreme Weather Effects

Dam Removal

We are going to talk about;

Dam Regulation

33’

If you meet the definition of a dam

you need a permit for construction or reconstruction!

Change the structural configuration

Change height, length, or discharge capacity

Restore a breached or ruins dam

Modification of flashboards

Design Requirements;

Existing Dams Env-Wr 300

Construction or Reconstruction Env-Wr 400

Ownership

75% Private

14% City/Town

9.5% State

1% Federal

0.5% Public Utility

There are

2,623 dams in NH

There are 1065 exempt dams

Use

47% Recreation

25% Conservation

10% Detention

8% Fire Protection

4% Hydro

2.5% Water Supply

2% Waste Lagoon

1.5% (45) Flood Control

Amoskeag Dam

Hopkinton Everett Flood Control

ACOE and State Flood Sites

Winnipesauke

PSNH dams – 65 MW

1 MW @ 250 houses

119 active hydro dams in NH

67 Owners - 52 are single dams

5 owners operate 2 dams

Dam Owner # Dams

ASHUELOT RIVER HYDRO INC 3

BRIAR HYDRO ASSOCIATES 3

FRANKLIN FALLS HYDRO CORP 3

ALGONQUIN POWER SYSTEMS INC 4

BROOKFIELD POWER GLHA 4

MONADNOCK PAPER MILLS INC 4

ENEL NORTH AMERICA INC 7

TRANSCANADA HYDRO NORTHEAST 8

PSNH 9

NH DES WATER DIVISION 12

There are opportunities where flow

and elevation drops are favorable

but the rates that are available to

private developers don’t make it

economically feasible.

About 10 years ago the Electric

Utility restructuring occurred and

greatly affected hydro electric

costs.

Most sites are already developed.

If the site is not developed the up

front cost is significant and its

difficult to recover.

Micro hydro – transmission is a

principal concern

Hydro power opportunities

Towns and Cities

Roads and Bridges Rivers and Streams

Downstream review for hazard classification.

Is NOT based on condition of dam

IS based on damages downstream during a dam failure

Different design

requirements by hazard

classifications.

The lower the hazard

classification the fewer

requirements.

High Hazard (5%)

Insp 2 years, $1,500

Significant Hazard (6%)

Insp 4 yrs, $750

Hazard Classifications

Low Hazard (21%)

Insp 6 yrs, $400

Non Menace (68%)

Dam Regulation

Dam Owner Responsibilities

Common Dam maintenance concerns

Trees & Brush

Seepage

Erosion

Deteriorated concrete

Inoperable gates

Settlement

Animal burrows

Beaver debris

Dam owners are on their

own for the cost of

maintenance, repair and

ADRF.

Letter of deficiency

Crowcroft Pond Dam

Rindge

Before regular maintenance

and repair

After repairs - Much easier to

maintain and see issues as soon

as they start

Dam Regulation

Dam Owner Responsibilities

Extreme Weather effects on Dams

More frequency, more rain, greater flows

Owners are required to pass greater flows

Ashuelot Paper Mill Dam #255.01 in Winchester, Failure 10/05

Warren Lake dam in Alstead 2005

>12 inches rain in 30 hrs

It was initially reported that this dams failure caused the roads to wash out. The dam did not fail.

It was overtopped for many hours and only sustained minor damage due to proper discharge capacity and maintenance.

Dam regulation

Dam owner responsibilities

Extreme weather effects on Dams

Should the Dam be removed

Why Remove Dams?

Nationwide thousands of dams

(large and small) are at or near the end of

their useful, safe and economical life.

Historically, dams were built with little, if any,

consideration of their impact to the river

system.

We’ve learned:

• Dams can be environmentally damaging

• Free-flowing rivers play vital roles in ecosystem health

• Growing public appreciation for rivers and desire to restore them

Bunker Pond Dam, Epping, Lamprey River

The dam removal and river restoration program

has provided assistance to dam owners for over

ten years.

21 dams have been removed and another 20,

at various phases, are being considered.

We have record of 80 dams being removed.

Ecological Issues

Often triggers consideration

of the removal option.

Economic Issues Usually the pivotal

decision factor.

Engineering Issues

Typically straightforward,

but infrastructure must be

considered.

Regulatory

Issues

Not a traditional project.

Restoration is the goal.

Dam Removal: A Multi-disciplinary Issue

Social

Issues

E3

Economic, Engineering, Emotion

Partnerships/Funding Sources;

If you dismantle it, they will come…

Current NH Projects

McLane Dam -L Milford Souhegan River Feasibility Phase

Goldman Dam - P Milford Souhegan River Feasibility Phase

Exeter River Great Dam - L Exeter Exeter River Feasibility Phase

Macallen Dam - L Newmarket Lamprey River Feasibility Phase

Old Mill Pond Dam - P Hampton Nilus Brook Feasibility Phase

Gonic Dam - P Rochester Cocheco River Design/Eng/Permit

Gonic Sawmill Dam - P Rochester Cocheco River Design/Eng/Permit

Lower Sawyer Mill Dam - P Dover Bellamy River Design/Eng/Permit

Upper Sawyer Mill Dam - P Dover Bellamy River Design/Eng/Permit

Boyce Pond Dam - P

(aka Horseshoe Pond Dam)

Fitzwilliam Kemp Brook Design/Eng/Permit

Butternut Pond Dam - S Grantham Butternut Brook Construction Planned 2013

Berry Brook Pond Dam - P Pittsfield Berry Brook Construction 2012/2013

To Remove or Not Remove?

Repair the dam?

Remove the dam?

What are my options?

Is there financial and technical

assistance available?

It is the Dam Owner’s Decision

What will it look like if I remove it?

How much will it cost to repair

and maintain the dam?

Education & Outreach Tell me and I’ll forget;

Show me and I may remember;

Involve me and I’ll understand

To Dam or not to Dam

Adapted from Project Wild Aquatic

Interactive Environmental

Educational Opportunities

Grade Level: High School or College

Hooks and Ladders

Adapted from Project Wild

Interactive Environmental

Educational Opportunities

Grade Level: 3rd – 5th grade

A student salmon navigating the fish ladder

The decision makers

of the future

The DES Dam Bureau Page:

http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dam/

ANY DAM QUESTIONS?

N.H. D.E.S.

Water Division

Dam Bureau

Nancy McGrath

Outreach Coordinator

Email: nancy.mcgrath@des.nh.gov

Tel: 603-271-3406