Northwood Meadows State Park

755 First NH Turnpike
Northwood, NH 03261
Phone: 603-485-1031

Activities and Amenities

Northwood Meadows State Park spans 674.5 acres in a wilderness setting. This wooded park has a vast wetlands area and is excellent for nature walks and picnicking. The park includes a pond created by a dammed brook - a popular place for fishing and non-motorized boating. The easily accessible trails also make the park an ideal place for biking, hiking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.

Update on water levels at Meadow Lake:
The drop in water level in the pond is due to the deterioration and failure of the three pipes: the drop inlet, outlet pipe and low level drain that are used to regulate the water level and drain the pond. Increasing the water level in the pond now would likely result in the failure and loss of the entire dam. This is because the low-level drainpipe used to drain the pond is leaking and allowing water to flow into the horizontal overflow pipe that runs through the dam. This horizontal overflow pipe has deteriorated and is allowing water to erode the inside of the dam. Anything that would increase the flow of water through this pipe and the surrounding material will result in a probable failure of the dam. The Department had intended to maintain the majority of the volume of water in the pond that was there originally. A bypass spillway was installed in 2014 to prevent water from overtopping the vertical portion of the drop inlet pipe that feeds into the deteriorated section through the dam. At that time it was unknown how long the low-level drain would last. Department staff has been on site three times over the last two weeks to assess and monitor the dam. This includes one site visit with the NH DES Dam Bureau who also conducted an assessment of overall condition of the dam. We will need to work DES to determine the next steps and agree on the parameters for a DES permit to repair the dam if the funding can be secured. Replacement of this dam would require a reengineering and complete removal costing $300,000 or more. It is the Department’s hope to be able to replace the existing control and drain mechanism in kind and maintain the 2014 bypass control which would be much less expensive. The support for all of this the work comes from capital funds and, as a self-funded park system, the revenue generated by other parks across the state. Our current hope is that we will be able to avoid having to spend the money to replace the existing dam and implement the 2014 bypass. Sincerely, Philip A. Bryce Director NH Division of Parks and Recreation

Update on water levels at Meadow Lake:

The drop in water level in the pond is due to the deterioration and failure of the three pipes: the drop inlet, outlet pipe and low level drain that are used to regulate the water level and drain the pond.  Increasing the water level in the pond now would likely result in the failure and loss of the entire dam.  This is because the low-level drainpipe used to drain the pond is leaking and allowing water to flow into the horizontal overflow pipe that runs through the dam.

This horizontal overflow pipe has deteriorated and is allowing water to erode the inside of the dam.  Anything that would increase the flow of water through this pipe and the surrounding material will result in a probable failure of the dam.

The Department had intended to maintain the majority of the volume of water in the pond that was there originally.  A bypass spillway was installed in 2014 to prevent water from overtopping the vertical portion of the drop inlet pipe that feeds into the deteriorated section through the dam. At that time it was unknown how long the low-level drain would last.

Department staff has been on site three times over the last two weeks to assess and monitor the dam.  This includes one site visit with the NH DES Dam Bureau who also conducted an assessment of overall condition of the dam.  We will need to work DES to determine the next steps and agree on the parameters for a DES permit to repair the dam if the funding can be secured.

Replacement of this dam would require a reengineering and complete removal costing $300,000 or more. It is the Department’s hope to be able to replace the existing control and drain mechanism in kind and maintain the 2014 bypass control which would be much less expensive.  The support for all of this the work comes from capital funds and, as a self-funded park system, the revenue generated by other parks across the state. Our current hope is that we will be able to avoid having to spend the money to replace the existing dam and implement the 2014 bypass.

Sincerely,

Philip A. Bryce
Director
NH Division of Parks and Recreation

*Northwood Meadows is an unstaffed park and reservations are not required.

Northwood Meadows Trail Map (NALMC)
Guptill-Lamprey Pasture Conservation Area Trail Map (this is an abutting property not owned by the state)
Northwood Area Land Management Collaborative (NALMC)

Operating Schedule

This park is always open for recreation unless closed or restricted by posting. This park is not staffed and the only facility is a pit toilet.

Recreationists should possess the necessary knowledge, skill, and equipment to ensure their own safety. Users assume all risk while recreating in State Park lands.

Are pets allowed at Northwood Meadows State Park?

Pets are permitted in the park. Pets must be on leash. See the NH State Parks Pets Policy for more information.

Keep Your Parks Clean

Through the Carry-In/Carry-Out Program, you can help us keep your parks clean and beautiful by carrying out whatever you carry in. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to recycle.

Access for Persons with Disabilities

Visit our Accessibility for All webpage at www.nhstateparks.org/news-events/accessibility. For more information on specific accessibilty needs or questions, please contact the individual park office directly.

Notice: Drone Use is Restricted
Drone use is restricted at all NH State Parks. Drone operators are not permitted take off or land within NH State Park boundaries.