ANNOUNCEMENTS

Oct. 15, 2025

The dam gate is open.

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Oct. 9, 2025

Given the severe drought situation ahead of next week’s scheduled deep drawdown, the commissioners have consulted with senior individuals at the Dam Bureau of the Department of Environmental Services.

 

The question was whether the upcoming deep drawdown should be delayed due to concern that the pond would not refill over the coming winter and spring. The consensus from DES was the deep drawdown should take place as scheduled. However, as soon as the deep drawdown level is obtained and the dam inspected, the gate should be shut.

 

If any shoreline resident is planning on the deep draw down to complete a shoreline project, please contact the Commissioners at apdvdinfo@gmail.com immediately.

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Oct. 6, 2025

Attention new property members of APDVD, voted in at the June ratification vote. You will not see the Dam Tax on your tax bill in December. The reason is by state statutes, changes in the current year tax bill must be made before April 1. Changes made after April 1 will show up the following year.

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Sept. 27, 2025

A deep drawdown is scheduled for the week of October 14, 2025. 

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Aug. 28, 2025

NH Monitors Nearly 200 Dams article by WMUR

Ashuelot Pond Dam is subject to state inspections, the most recent one occurring in fall 2024. The dam is rated as high hazard, based on the inherent risk if it failed, which requires an ongoing program of maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. 

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May 5, 2025

Heavy rains have increased the water level of the lake. Additional rain is forecasted over the next few days. The dam gate is open and we are monitoring the lake level. 

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October 9, 2024

NHDES has modified the APDVD deep drawdown schedule.

 

They determined that the next deep drawdown should occur in 2025 and every 5 years hence, and that this schedule will not be changed due to emergency deep drawdowns needed for repair or reconstruction of the dam.

 

See the documents page for more information.

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September 10, 2024

Fall 2024 tentative date for opening the dam gate is October 14, 2024 (routine drawdown of max 3.5 ft).

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October 16, 2023

The gate is open as planned for the annual drawdown.

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September 15, 2023

Fall 2023 tentative date for opening the dam gate is October 16, 2023 (routine drawdown of max 3.5 ft).

 

Deep Drawdown Information

A 1991 order issued by the NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) established a schedule of deep drawdowns to occur once every five years (see E.4), beginning in 1991, for the purpose of dam repairs, aquatic weed control, and maintenance of shorefront improvements. There was a NHDES approved non-scheduled deep drawdown in 2019 for dam repairs. The scheduled 2021 deep drawdown did not occur due to the gate being inoperable. NHDES confirmed that we must follow the scheduled deep drawdown dates per the 1991 decision. The next scheduled deep drawdown is in 2026.

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A 2009 order finds that APDVD shall operate the dam in accordance with the 1991 Order with modifications to paragraphs E.4 and E.7, which strike aquatic weed control as a purpose of deep drawdowns. DES conducted a five-year study from the summer of 2000 through the summer of 2005 with the purpose of examining the extent to which deep drawdowns impact the ecology or quality of Ashuelot Pond and changes to the plant community. Findings indicate that deep drawdowns occurring on five-year cycles do not cause major impacts to the ecology of the pond and have no statistically significant impact on weed control.

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July 10, 2023

The gate was opened just after lunch. Really not much effect as the State Dam Engineer had told us. Levels still going up but at least it is letting a little water out. Levels are above spring runoff. Gate will be left open until levels have receded.

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July 2022

Commissioners
Joe Belcastro has retired from the head APDVD Commissioner position.
We thank Joe for his many years of service. Your new Commissioners are:

• Gary Carney

• Gary Mahaffy

• Rich Andrusiak