Who Are We

The Corps’ primary military mission is to provide the armed forces of the United States with modern facilities, both at home and abroad, to strengthen the nation’s defensive capability and ensure combat readiness. The Corps’ primary civil works mission is to develop and manage the country’s water resources. Its’ projects reduce flood damage, improve harbors and navigation channels, protect streambanks and shorelines, generate hydroelectric power, and preserve and safeguard the environment.

The Corps of Engineers is the nation’s largest provider of outdoor recreation. The Corps hosts approximately 360 million visits a year at its lakes, beaches and other areas, and estimates that 25 million Americans (1 in 10) visit a Corps project at least once a year. Supporting visitors to these recreation areas generates 600,000 jobs across the United States. In addition to water resources projects, the Corps serves as manager for major construction projects undertaken by other federal agencies and allied governments.

What We Do

Franklin Falls Dam was built and constructed in 1943 on the Pemigewasset River to protect cities and towns along the Merrimack from flood damage. The operation of the Franklin Falls Dam  is different from the operation of other Federal flood control dams in New England for two primary reasons: (1) The FFD is built on a major tributary river with the largest upstream watershed of all Federal flood control dams in New England and (2) the FFD has a limited storage capacity - equivalent of 2.8 inches of runoff across the entire watershed while most Federal New England Dams have between 6-8 inches of runoff across their respective, smaller watersheds.  Since the Dam has such an enormous watershed and very limited storage capacity by design, it is operated to reduce downstream maximum peak flows and alter the timing of when peak flows impact downstream properties and populations. 

How We Benefit You

Franklin Falls benefits you because since it's conception in 1943 it has prevented over $165,152,063 in damages. Using Flood Control Land we are able to create and manage recreational opportunities for every age. Many people enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking and snowshoeing on Corps owned land.