Home / Missions / Recreation / Blackwater Dam
The Blackwater Dam offers visitors approximately 3,600 acres of land and water for recreational opportunities. The pristine environment includes a meandering eight mile stretch of the Blackwater River, an excellent canoe and kayaking stocked with brown and rainbow trout.
The Blackwater reservoir is a great place for canoes and kayaks to explore wildlife and fascinating wetlands. Canoes and Kayaks can be launched at a variety of sites. Check the Maps link to the left for maps of the project area.
Life jackets, also called Personal Floatation Devices (PFD's), are required safety equipment in every boat. State law requires one wearable PFD for each person in a boat. We encourage everyone to always wear their PFD!
The Pristine environment of the Blackwater Reservoir includes a meandering eight-mile stretch of the Blackwater River, an excellent canoe stream stocked with brown and rainbow trout. Anglers can also try their luck at catching perch, bass, sunfish, and pickerel as well.
Hunting is another popular recreation opportunity. Hunters will find a wide variety of game species, including bear, moose, deer, pheasant, rabbit, grouse, and water fowl. Both gun and bow hunters a lit enjoy the solitude found within the reservoir.
Licenses and season dates are provided on the Fish and Game Website www.wildlife.state.nh.us
Deer Hunters: tree stands are permitted for day use only. Stands found on the property unattended will be taken down.
Blackwater Dam offers Horse trails and a site big enough to park Horse trailers. Cogswell recreation area, off of route 127 in Webster NH offers scenic trails for both horses and riders. These trails are great for beginners and experts. Riders are encouraged to use the water crossings but are also given options in the trail to avoid the water crossings as well.
The Blackwater Reservoir is a relaxing place for a picnic. There are many picnicking spots on the reservoir that provide visitors with tables and shade. These spots are located at Guideboard Road, Cogswell Road, Peter's Bridge and at the Dam.
Be aware that the picnic area does not have running water for drinking or washing hands, so be sure to bring your own beverages and consider bringing hand wipes.
Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and pet waste must be properly disposed.
Reservations and Fees
Special events that have been held at Blackwater Dam include: kayak and canoe races, scout camping, dog trials, fire department and emergency medical technician training, fishing derbies, weddings, and triathlons.
If you are interested in holding a special event, you may apply in writing 60-days in advance. There is a fee for special events, and the amount depends on the event.
Local forests are comprised mostly of mixed hardwoods interspersed with pine. A diversity of plant types is also found in the immediate region. Pine, birch, aspen, maple, oak, spruce, beech, and hemlock are some of the common trees found in this area. During the spring, many wildflower species add a spectrum of color to the forest and river environments of the area.
The project's forest resources are managed by the State of New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development Division of Forests and Lands in cooperation with the US Army Corps of Engineers. Timber stands and wildlife habitat improvements, boundary line maintenance, forest inventory and mapping, commercial timber harvests and other activities are carried out under a detailed forest management plan for each area. All forest management activities are financed by income from timber harvests. There are no federal or state funds or any other funds used for forest management activities.
The mix of forest, field, and stream, provides habitat for a wide range of fish and wildlife, both resident and migratory. Deer, fox, turkey, and an occasional black bear, find food and shelter in the woods. Open meadows attract New England cottontails, field mice, kestrels, and migrating hawks. Beaver, otter, muskrat, and mink play along the shorelines of small streams, while painted turtles and leopard frogs bask in the shallows. Spring and fall migrations bring Canada geese and other waterfowl to join great blue heron fishing the backwaters.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, under agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Division of Forests and Lands, stock upland game birds, assists with the maintenance and improvement of wildlife habitat, administers a fur-bearer trapping program, supplies and maintains waterfowl nesting boxes, and enforces fish and game laws. Hunting for deer, pheasant, and small game is permitted during the state hunting season.
The Corps of Engineers works cooperatively with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to stock various species of fish and perform water quality studies in the Blackwater river.
Select... - Equestrian Trail - Blackwater Dam History - Real-Time and Historic Data Rules and Regulations
Equestrian Trail
Blackwater Dam History
Real-Time and Historic Data
Blackwater Dam
43 White Plains Road
Webster, NH 03303
Blackwater Dam Directions
Ranger Victor Ranfos assists with a school outreach program. Common topics rangers present are flood control, water cycle, water safety, and the history of the Corps of Engineers. Programs can be done at the dam and recreation area.
120315-A-BJ146-997
Blackwater Dam was completed in 1941 at a cost of $1.32 million and has already prevented $15.3 million in damages. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 15 billion gallons of water. The Blackwater Dam offers visitors approximately 3,600 acres of land and water for recreational opportunities. The pristine environment includes a meandering eight-mile stretch of the Blackwater River, an excellent place to canoe and kayak, stocked with brown and rainbow trout. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo)
A sign notifies visitors at Blackwater Dam, Webster, N.H., that the land leased by the state is for the public's use and benefit. Blackwater Dam was completed in 1941 at a cost of $1.32 million and has already prevented $15.3 million in damages. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 15 billion gallons of water. The Blackwater Dam offers visitors approximately 3,600 acres of land and water for recreational opportunities. The pristine environment includes a meandering eight-mile stretch of the Blackwater River, an excellent place to canoe and kayak, stocked with brown and rainbow trout. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo)
Water rushes through a stream at Blackwater Dam, Webster, N.H. A sign notifies visitors at Blackwater Dam, Webster, N.H., that the land leased by the state is for the public's use and benefit. Blackwater Dam was completed in 1941 at a cost of $1.32 million and has already prevented $15.3 million in damages. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 15 billion gallons of water. The Blackwater Dam offers visitors approximately 3,600 acres of land and water for recreational opportunities. The pristine environment includes a meandering eight-mile stretch of the Blackwater River, an excellent place to canoe and kayak, stocked with brown and rainbow trout. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo)
Maps and information about Blackwater Dam, Webster, N.H., can be found in the recreation area of the project. Water rushes through a stream at Blackwater Dam, Webster, N.H. A sign notifies visitors at Blackwater Dam, Webster, N.H., that the land leased by the state is for the public's use and benefit. Blackwater Dam was completed in 1941 at a cost of $1.32 million and has already prevented $15.3 million in damages. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 15 billion gallons of water. The Blackwater Dam offers visitors approximately 3,600 acres of land and water for recreational opportunities. The pristine environment includes a meandering eight-mile stretch of the Blackwater River, an excellent place to canoe and kayak, stocked with brown and rainbow trout. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo)