Dam Failure, Alton, New Hampshire
Background
In March 1996, the Meadow Pond Dam (NH) failed sending a wall of water rushing downhill and almost completely destroying a small neighborhood. The 38-foot tall private dam that was constructed shortly before the accident killed one woman and caused more than $5 million in damage. Exponent was retained to investigate the cause of the dam failure. This accident changed the way the State of New Hampshire inspected dams.
Our Work
Exponent was on site shortly after the failure documenting the condition of the dam, breach, and surrounding area. Our investigation focused on the dam hydraulics and seepage control systems.