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Old 12-02-2004, 08:31 AM   #1
mcdude
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Default 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'?

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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.
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Old 12-03-2004, 08:41 AM   #2
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If I recall correctly, one man lost his life. At the time they hadn't found the body. Did they ever recover him?
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Old 12-03-2004, 10:35 AM   #3
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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.
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Old 12-09-2004, 05:23 AM   #4
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Default 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?

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Old 12-09-2004, 06:48 AM   #5
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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.
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Old 12-11-2004, 10:03 AM   #6
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Thanks for the information..what a tragedy!

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Old 12-11-2004, 05:00 PM   #7
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Default 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.
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Old 12-11-2004, 07:40 PM   #8
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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

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Old 12-21-2004, 07:07 PM   #9
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Default 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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Old 03-08-2016, 04:59 PM   #10
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Default 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.
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Old 03-09-2016, 08:15 AM   #11
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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.
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Old 03-09-2016, 10:22 AM   #12
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That was terrible! I can't believe it was 20 years ago.
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Old 03-10-2016, 05:40 AM   #13
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Default 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.
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Old 03-10-2016, 09:37 AM   #14
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Quote:
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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.
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Old 03-10-2016, 09:45 AM   #15
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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.
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Old 03-10-2016, 07:29 PM   #16
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Channel 9 is doing a piece on the flood tonight on the 11:00 NEWS. 20 year anniversary.
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Old 01-30-2020, 05:16 PM   #17
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The Bergeron's house and the pond are for sale.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...11088219_zpid/
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Old 01-30-2020, 06:43 PM   #18
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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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Old 01-31-2020, 11:09 AM   #19
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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.
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Old 01-31-2020, 12:27 PM   #20
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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.
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Old 01-31-2020, 01:53 PM   #21
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Default snowmobile shut down?

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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.
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Old 01-31-2020, 04:05 PM   #22
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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.
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Old 01-31-2020, 07:07 PM   #23
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Default 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.
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Old 02-01-2020, 05:18 AM   #24
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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
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Old 02-01-2020, 07:34 AM   #25
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Alton taxes are about 50-60% of those in non vacation NH communities without a large business base.
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Old 04-09-2020, 06:31 AM   #26
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Quote:
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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.
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