An extreme rain event occurred on May 15 and 16, 2006, in New Hampshire, which resulted in a state-wide flood. The Suncook River, which flows southwest towards the Merrimack River from its headwaters at Crystal Lake in Gilmanton, experienced a 100-year flood event. The high flood waters caused the Suncook River to change course (an event known as an “avulsion”) in the town of Epsom near the Huckins Mill Dams, upstream of Bear Island. This page provides information on the avulsion’s aftermath and the collaborative measures taken by municipal, state, federal and non-profit organizations to develop strategies for protecting public safety and the environment within the Suncook River corridor.
Hot Topics
- NHDES to Conduct Bid Opening for Fluvial Erosion Hazard Geomorphology Assessments – Suncook River
DES will be opening bids received relative to proposed work to conduct fluvial erosion hazard geomorphology assessments on the Suncook River in New Hampshire. This bid opening process is open to the public and will be held on Friday, February 24, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. at NHDES, Rms 110-111, 29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH.
Publications
- USGS Sediment Transport Study – November 2011
- State Agency Response Timeline to Suncook River Avulsion 07282011
- Suncook River Subwatershed
- Analysis of the May 2006 Suncook River Avulsion Thesis by Perignon
- Flood Study Report for the Suncook River in Epsom, Pembroke, and Allenstown, NH; 2010 USGS Scientific Investigations Report
- Investigation of April 2007 Flood in Southern and Southeastern New Hampshire
- Report and Fact Sheet by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. (VHB)
- July 19, 2010 Joint Meeting of the Boards of Selectmen and Agencies Minutes
- Letter from Governor John Lynch to Epsom, July 14, 2010
- Epsom Board of Selectmen’s Special Meeting, Final Minutes, June 21, 2010
- DES 305(b) and 303(d) Watershed Report for the Suncook River
- Initial Water Quality Results for the Suncook River After Avulsion on May 15, 2006, UNH
- Poster of Suncook River Avulsion
- Articles relative to the Suncook River avulsion and assessment/planning work
Education/Outreach
- Buck Street Dam Removal Public Meeting Presentations, July 28, 2011
Related Programs
Resources/Links
- New Hampshire Towns within the Suncook River Watershed
- Governor John Lynch
- Bureau of Emergency Management, NH Department of Safety
- NH Fish and Game Department
- ReadyNH
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
- US Geological Survey
- New Hampshire Friends of the Suncook River
- Suncook River and Community Planning Team Project
- Suncook River Maps
Contact Us
- Stephen Landry
NHDES Merrimack Watershed Supervisor
29 Hazen Drive; PO Box 95
Concord NH, 03302-0095
(603) 271-2969
(603) 271-7894 (fax)
stephen.landry@des.nh.gov
Rivers Management and Protection Program
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