The Suncook River, which flows southwest towards the Merrimack River from its headwaters at Crystal Lake in Gilmanton, experienced a 100-year flood event during the flood event that occurred on May 15 and 16, 2006. The high flood waters caused the Suncook River to change course (an event known as an “avulsion”) in the Town of Epsom near the Huckins Mill Dams, upstream of Bear Island.

To better understand the avulsion and the appropriate response to this unusual event, the Town of Epsom has undertaken a study of the avulsion with funding from the NH Department of Environmental Services and the Friends of the Suncook River. The study seeks to conduct a detailed survey of the river, develop potential solutions to address the flooding and sedimentation issues related to the avulsion, and to evaluate each alternative using criteria such as cost, constructability, property impacts, etc. The study is a tool that will help the Town and the State select the proper course of action for the restoration and/or stabilization of the river.

A final version of the report has been completed.

Final Report - Suncook River Avulsion, Geomorphology-based Alternatives Analysis

The links below contain the final project report:

Fact Sheet & Project Summary (Adobe PDF, 3.3MB)

Executive Summary (Adobe PDF, 0.3MB)

Report Text (Adobe PDF, 4.5MB)

Figures (Adobe PDF, 8.8MB)

Appendices (Adobe PDF, 4.4MB)