The Dams of Harrisville
Russell Reservoir dam and gate house in 1899 (Photo courtesy the HHI Archives)
Documenting Harrisville's Historic Dams
Some would say that Harrisville owes its very existence to its water resources and the dams built to control the waterpower of its streams. Water ran the sawmills, woodenware shops, and woolen textile mills that were the basis of the early economy. Reservoirs were key to maintaining power for industry through dry seasons, and the ponds that were created then form the landscape enjoyed today.
Within the small town, there are fifteen dams, including eleven that are intact and four more in ruins.
Two-thirds of Harrisville’s land drains easterly via Nubanusit Brook, known locally as Goose Brook, to the Merrimack River. Historically, most of Goose Brook fell under control of the Cheshire Mills in Harrisville Village. Beginning at Nubanusit lake and continuing down the watershed, the seven dams along this waterway with the town of Harrisville include:
Mosquitobush Dam Site
Harrisville Pond Dam
Cheshire Mills Dam
Cheshire Mills Lower Dam
Winn Dam Site
Lake Skatutakee Dam
Eastview Dam Site
Located between the Lake Skatutakee Dam and the Eastview Dam Site, Dinsmore Pond, is the only local pond formed by a natural beaver dam.
As detailed in the Dams of Harrisville, Harrisville Pond is controlled by a stone dam at the Harris Mill (shown here in 1969 before it was renovated by Historic Harrisville and occupied by Harrisville Designs). This was the site of the first dam erected in the late 1700s. The stone gateway was installed in 1892 and is set against the upstream wall of the mill. The water flows under the building through an overflow channel. (Photo courtesy the Historic American Buildings Survey)
An old postcard showing the Howe Reservoir Dam at Eliza Adams Gorge. (Photo courtesy the HHI Archives)
The remaining one-third of Harrisville’s land drains west by Minnewawa Brook and its tributaries to the Connecticut River. These water rights were historically owned by the Breed Pond Company of Marlborough and later by the electric company. Beginning at Silver Lake and continuing down the watershed, the eight dams along the Minnewawa and its tributaries in Harrisville are:
Silver Lake Dam
Child’s Bog Dam
Seaver Reservoir Dam
Chesham Pond Dam
Eastman Dam Site
Howe Reservoir Dam
Russell Reservoir Dam
Box Shop Dam Site
Additional information about the history and design of each of these dams is included in the Dams of Harrisville, New Hampshire publication, now available here.
Harrisville Dam Preservation and Improvement
Keeping our dams safe and strong allows us to retain the important features of our town.
The Skatutakee Dam (Photo courtesy the Lake Skatutakee Association)
Recently, significant work has been done on the Lake Skatutakee Dam and Chesham Pond Dam. Because of the importance of these dams to our history and economy, we want to make sure this good work is recognized.
The Skatutakee Dam is owned and funded by the Lake Skatutakee Association. Dam repairs began in September, with the rebuilding of the pedestal that holds the mechanism needed to open and close the dam gate. Holes were drilled to set anchor rods, and then a new concrete cap and sides were poured. The concrete on the upstream side was treated with a sealant. A new handrail was installed, and the deck was treated with a marine wood preservative. Finally, key metal elements were painted. The leaders of this privately funded project are grateful for all who participated and everyone (including those who voted to support the project at town meeting in 2020) who contributed to the effort. Making the Skatutakee Lake Dam safe and sound has been a long journey, which is finally complete!
The Chesham Pond Dam, which is owned by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Division, also received major improvements that were recently completed. A new concrete dam was poured to meet current 100-year flood requirements, and then covered by an earthen embankment to minimize the visual appearance of the structure and allow access to the water. Then the spillway and gate were replaced to ensure consistent and safe operation of the dam, and new metal guard rails were installed.
Because the Chesham Pond Dam is an historic resource eligible for the state register of historic places, is owned and funded by the state, and the project scope impacted the historic features of the dam, this Dams of Harrisville, New Hampshire publication and the interpretive signage posted at the dam were created to offset or mitigate the loss of historic fabric at the dam. We hope you will go see the sign at the Chesham Dam, and enjoy reading about—and maybe even visiting—each of Harrisville’s historic dams.
Your contribution makes a difference
We hope you will consider donation to Historic Harrisville. For the first time, we are excited to offer the option of recurring donations for our supporters.
You can also mail your tax-deductible check to Historic Harrisville, Inc., PO Box 79, Harrisville NH 03450. If you would like to make a bequest and have questions, please email our Executive Director Erin Hammerstedt or call us at 603-827-3722.