Alton Flood of 1996

mcdude · 12-02-2004, 08:31 AM

Remember the Dam breach and flood of 1996? There was an extensive article on this event which I believe appeared in Yankee Magazine. Does anyone have a copy of this article that you would be willing to copy and let me have for my 'archives'?

Click for more photos

An earthen-dam break sending damaging flood waters through a small New Hampshire town demonstrates the need for reinspection of private dams, a University of Tennessee civil engineer said Wednesday.

The town of Alton, N.H., is cleaning up from the Wednesday flood which damaged some homes and many vehicles, tore up a quarter-mile section of highway and left one woman missing.

The dam, built on private property to protect low-lying areas from hillside runoff, was rebuilt several years ago. The lake it formed covered about 15 acres.

Zee · 12-03-2004, 08:41 AM

If I recall correctly, one man lost his life. At the time they hadn't found the body. Did they ever recover him?

KPW · 12-03-2004, 10:35 AM

I believe it was a woman who lost her life. She was following her husband who was trying to get his tractor trailer to higher ground.

pmj · 12-09-2004, 05:23 AM

I've lived here for 2 years and hadn't heard of this. Where did it happen?

pmj

upthesaukee · 12-09-2004, 06:48 AM

As you head out to Gilmanton on Rte 140, the property where the dam was located was to the right of rte 140 at the top of the hill above the Merrymeeting. The water came down to the Merrymeeting near the crossing of 140. Very tragic event.

pmj · 12-11-2004, 10:03 AM

Thanks for the information..what a tragedy!

pmj

ghfromaltonbay · 12-11-2004, 05:00 PM

If anyone wants a copy of the article from Yankee Magazine just let me know. I knew pack rat that I am that I had the article here somewhere. The article was in the November 1996 issue.

mcdude · 12-11-2004, 07:40 PM

gh: If you could get that article to me I will scan and post it for posterity's sake! I actually went to the library today and found out that it was in the Nov. 1996 edition of Yankee Magazine. It was not available at that library but they were going to do a regional library search and get it to me. Pretty impressive, but, probably easier if you could send it along. Private Message me and we can make contact. Thanks gh! See you at the Winterfest in February? McD

mcdude · 12-21-2004, 07:07 PM

Many thanks to ghfromaltonbay for sending this along.

I'm going to have to post these in the "HUGE" mode as they will be too small to read otherwise. Sorry to those with slow browsers!

Again, Many thanks to ghfromaltonbay!

Jthibeault · 03-08-2016, 04:59 PM

The dam breach was a disaster for many, many peope but for our family my cousin Lynda Sinclair lost her life. Hind sight is 20/20, as the way the flow of the water went around her house, she'd be alive today had she stayed home. She left behind her husband and tried to stay ahead of the flow of water and was pushed over the hill towards the river, her purse found in a tree down over the hill. One of our family members told the authorities where she was (his feelings) to no avail for a while til our family started chopping the ice in the vicinity stated then they joined in and she was found under a camper exactly where we were. May you always RIP Lynda. See you again.

Slickcraft · 03-09-2016, 08:15 AM

That was a tragic event for all involved and especially for your family.

WMUR channel 9 will broadcast a special 20th anniversary program this Thursday 3/10/1016 at 11 PM.

tis · 03-09-2016, 10:22 AM

That was terrible! I can't believe it was 20 years ago.

secondcurve · 03-10-2016, 05:40 AM

Was the dam rebuilt? There are references to the pond on the internet, indicating that the dam was reestablished, but I can't find any articles about what happened after the tragedy.

Just Sold · 03-10-2016, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Was the dam rebuilt? There are references to the pond on the internet, indicating that the dam was reestablished, but I can't find any articles about what happened after the tragedy.

No it was not rebuilt. Find Meadow Pond in Alton on Mapquest and you can see the damaged dam area beside a garage style building.

Slickcraft · 03-10-2016, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Sold

No it was not rebuilt. Find Meadow Pond in Alton on Mapquest and you can see the damaged dam area beside a garage style building.

Correct. They have been requests to rebuild that were denied by DES for safety reasons.

mcdude · 03-10-2016, 07:29 PM

Channel 9 is doing a piece on the flood tonight on the 11:00 NEWS. 20 year anniversary.

jazzman · 01-30-2020, 05:16 PM

The Bergeron's house and the pond are for sale.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...11088219_zpid/

tis · 01-30-2020, 06:43 PM

I never read that article before. I remember seeing how awful the area was but didn't know the people behind the tragedy. So sad.

Bigstan · 01-31-2020, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

I never read that article before. I remember seeing how awful the area was but didn't know the people behind the tragedy. So sad.

A sale is already pending, that was quick.

jazzman · 01-31-2020, 12:27 PM

Interesting. I was listed at 400k over town appraisal, the house doesn't look to be in good shape (or good design), the driveway is 1/2 mile long and a major snowmobile corridor goes through the property. I know the new owner could always shut that down, but people would still trespass and who wants bad feelings with a large number of people.

Descant · 01-31-2020, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzman

Interesting. I was listed at 400k over town appraisal, the house doesn't look to be in good shape (or good design), the driveway is 1/2 mile long and a major snowmobile corridor goes through the property. I know the new owner could always shut that down, but people would still trespass and who wants bad feelings with a large number of people.

Almost 700 acres assessed at less than $200K implies "current use". That's fine, but if there is a conservation easement, it may provide permission that can't be changed by a new owner, for a variety of activities.

Bigstan · 01-31-2020, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

Almost 700 acres assessed at less than $200K implies "current use". That's fine, but if there is a conservation easement, it may provide permission that can't be changed by a new owner, for a variety of activities.

It says assessed @ 540k in 2018. 400k over assessed = the 980k asking price.

ghfromaltonbay · 01-31-2020, 07:07 PM

Wow! Their property taxes are almost $1000/yr less than what I pay here in NJ for a house assessed at $149K. Mine would sell for about $325K and is a 1300 square ft cape on a 48x100' lot. I chuckle every time I hear NH residents complain about property taxes. If I could I would move to Alton in a heartbeat. Can't leave with 2 elderly parents nearby.

jazzman · 02-01-2020, 07:34 AM

Alton taxes are about 50-60% of those in non vacation NH communities without a large business base.

JADAQ · 04-09-2020, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzman

The Bergeron's house and the pond are for sale.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...11088219_zpid/

Mr Bergeron has since passed away, hence the sale of the house.

Reilly · 02-01-2020, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top-Water

It appears that it paid handsomely to make other peoples boats go fast. I wonder if he has any old water ski races memorabilia? He was always competitive back in the day. I think one of the Madden brothers was one of his skiers. Not sure how many people are aware he was the president/owner of Land & Sea. Primarily a company that in its early days souped up race boats.

It was Tommy Madden & he worked for Bob for many years at Land & Sea Performance & were good friends . Tommy is still playing with Performance Boats

12-02-2004, 08:31 AM	#1
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	Alton Flood of 1996 Remember the Dam breach and flood of 1996? There was an extensive article on this event which I believe appeared in Yankee Magazine. Does anyone have a copy of this article that you would be willing to copy and let me have for my 'archives'? Click for more photos An earthen-dam break sending damaging flood waters through a small New Hampshire town demonstrates the need for reinspection of private dams, a University of Tennessee civil engineer said Wednesday. The town of Alton, N.H., is cleaning up from the Wednesday flood which damaged some homes and many vehicles, tore up a quarter-mile section of highway and left one woman missing. The dam, built on private property to protect low-lying areas from hillside runoff, was rebuilt several years ago. The lake it formed covered about 15 acres. Last edited by mcdude; 12-02-2004 at 08:58 AM.

12-09-2004, 05:23 AM	#4
pmj Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 240 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	where exactly was this dam and damage located?? I've lived here for 2 years and hadn't heard of this. Where did it happen? pmj

12-09-2004, 06:48 AM	#5
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,614 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,483 Thanked 1,987 Times in 1,087 Posts	As you head out to Gilmanton on Rte 140, the property where the dam was located was to the right of rte 140 at the top of the hill above the Merrymeeting. The water came down to the Merrymeeting near the crossing of 140. Very tragic event. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

12-11-2004, 10:03 AM	#6
pmj Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 240 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	thanks Thanks for the information..what a tragedy! pmj

12-11-2004, 05:00 PM	#7
ghfromaltonbay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clifton, NJ, Alton Bay Posts: 843 Thanks: 259 Thanked 234 Times in 134 Posts	I have a copy of Yankee Magazine (11/96) If anyone wants a copy of the article from Yankee Magazine just let me know. I knew pack rat that I am that I had the article here somewhere. The article was in the November 1996 issue.

12-03-2004, 08:41 AM	#2
Zee Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Union Wharf, Tuftonboro Posts: 173 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	If I recall correctly, one man lost his life. At the time they hadn't found the body. Did they ever recover him?

12-03-2004, 10:35 AM	#3
KPW Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 398 Thanks: 738 Thanked 118 Times in 59 Posts	I believe it was a woman who lost her life. She was following her husband who was trying to get his tractor trailer to higher ground.

12-11-2004, 07:40 PM	#8
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	gh: If you could get that article to me I will scan and post it for posterity's sake! I actually went to the library today and found out that it was in the Nov. 1996 edition of Yankee Magazine. It was not available at that library but they were going to do a regional library search and get it to me. Pretty impressive, but, probably easier if you could send it along. Private Message me and we can make contact. Thanks gh! See you at the Winterfest in February? McD Last edited by mcdude; 12-21-2004 at 07:08 PM.

12-21-2004, 07:07 PM	#9
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	1996 Yankee Magazine Many thanks to ghfromaltonbay for sending this along. I'm going to have to post these in the "HUGE" mode as they will be too small to read otherwise. Sorry to those with slow browsers! Again, Many thanks to ghfromaltonbay! Last edited by mcdude; 12-22-2004 at 10:15 AM.

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03-08-2016, 04:59 PM	#10
Jthibeault Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1996 Alton Dam Breach The dam breach was a disaster for many, many peope but for our family my cousin Lynda Sinclair lost her life. Hind sight is 20/20, as the way the flow of the water went around her house, she'd be alive today had she stayed home. She left behind her husband and tried to stay ahead of the flow of water and was pushed over the hill towards the river, her purse found in a tree down over the hill. One of our family members told the authorities where she was (his feelings) to no avail for a while til our family started chopping the ice in the vicinity stated then they joined in and she was found under a camper exactly where we were. May you always RIP Lynda. See you again.

03-09-2016, 08:15 AM	#11
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,344 Thanks: 1,249 Thanked 2,121 Times in 970 Posts	That was a tragic event for all involved and especially for your family. WMUR channel 9 will broadcast a special 20th anniversary program this Thursday 3/10/1016 at 11 PM.

03-09-2016, 10:22 AM	#12
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,841 Thanks: 764 Thanked 1,474 Times in 1,029 Posts	That was terrible! I can't believe it was 20 years ago.

03-10-2016, 05:40 AM	#13
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,128 Thanks: 1,352 Thanked 564 Times in 291 Posts	What happened after the Failure? Was the dam rebuilt? There are references to the pond on the internet, indicating that the dam was reestablished, but I can't find any articles about what happened after the tragedy.

03-10-2016, 07:29 PM	#16
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	Channel 9 is doing a piece on the flood tonight on the 11:00 NEWS. 20 year anniversary. __________________

01-30-2020, 05:16 PM	#17
jazzman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mont Vernon NH & Big Barndoor Island Posts: 323 Thanks: 4 Thanked 184 Times in 62 Posts	The Bergeron's house and the pond are for sale. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...11088219_zpid/

01-30-2020, 06:43 PM	#18
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,841 Thanks: 764 Thanked 1,474 Times in 1,029 Posts	I never read that article before. I remember seeing how awful the area was but didn't know the people behind the tragedy. So sad.

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01-31-2020, 12:27 PM	#20
jazzman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mont Vernon NH & Big Barndoor Island Posts: 323 Thanks: 4 Thanked 184 Times in 62 Posts	Interesting. I was listed at 400k over town appraisal, the house doesn't look to be in good shape (or good design), the driveway is 1/2 mile long and a major snowmobile corridor goes through the property. I know the new owner could always shut that down, but people would still trespass and who wants bad feelings with a large number of people.

01-31-2020, 07:07 PM	#23
ghfromaltonbay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clifton, NJ, Alton Bay Posts: 843 Thanks: 259 Thanked 234 Times in 134 Posts	Property taxes Wow! Their property taxes are almost $1000/yr less than what I pay here in NJ for a house assessed at $149K. Mine would sell for about $325K and is a 1300 square ft cape on a 48x100' lot. I chuckle every time I hear NH residents complain about property taxes. If I could I would move to Alton in a heartbeat. Can't leave with 2 elderly parents nearby.

02-01-2020, 07:34 AM	#24
jazzman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mont Vernon NH & Big Barndoor Island Posts: 323 Thanks: 4 Thanked 184 Times in 62 Posts	Alton taxes are about 50-60% of those in non vacation NH communities without a large business base.

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