Beyond Flood Control

Beyond the primary mission of flood control, the Corps of Engineers recognizes and embraces the role of steward of the lands under our control. The management of these natural resources is directed to ensure their enhancement today and their preservation for the future.

Corps personnel, in conjunction with the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, manage the natural resources at Hopkinton - Everett Lakes. 

Forest lands are actively managed for the benefit of wildlife, recreation, and forestry. In addition, several land tracts throughout the project are leased to local farmers for grazing and crop production. These practices are in place to ensure that both the wildlife and the land benefit.

Natural resources are managed to provide food, cover, nesting sites, and critical habitats for a variety of wildlife species. Resources are also focused on retaining some of the state's more ecologically critical habitats such as fens, vernal pools, spruce fir forests, and other important habitats.

In addition, there are the aquatic resources of our recreation pools and the Contoocook and Piscataquog Rivers. For more information on the Contoocook River, Click Here for the Contoocook River Interpretive Guide provided by students of the Academy of John Stark Regional High School.

Effective management requires good information and the staff of Hopkinton - Everett Lakes rely on many sources for natural resource management expertise. Information and expertise is utilized from natural resource specialists in the Corps of Engineers, from other federal and state agencies, and the academic community. With their assistance, the Hopkinton - Everett Lakes staff is able to focus their management efforts more efficiently and productively to ensure that, what is special here today, will be here tomorrow.