Moore Reservoir facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Moore Reservoir
Moore Reservoir Location in New Hampshire Show map of New Hampshire Moore Reservoir Location in Vermont Show map of Vermont Moore Reservoir Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Grafton County and Coos County, New Hampshire; Caledonia County and Essex County, Vermont
Coordinates	44°20′6″N 71°52′32″W / 44.33500°N 71.87556°W / 44.33500; -71.87556
Type	Reservoir
Primary inflows	Connecticut River
Primary outflows	Connecticut River
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	9.8 mi (15.8 km)
Max. width	2.0 mi (3.2 km)
Surface area	3,181 acres (12.87 km2)
Average depth	60 feet (18 m)
Max. depth	120 feet (37 m)
Surface elevation	806 ft (246 m)
Settlements	Littleton and Dalton, New Hampshire; Waterford and Concord, Vermont

Moore Reservoir is a large lake formed by a dam on the Connecticut River. It stretches across parts of New Hampshire and Vermont. This big body of water covers about 3,181 acres (12.87 km²). It's a popular spot for outdoor activities.

Discovering Moore Reservoir

Moore Reservoir is a special kind of lake called an impoundment. This means it was created by building a dam across a river. The reservoir is located near the towns of Littleton, New Hampshire; Dalton, New Hampshire; Waterford, Vermont; and Concord, Vermont. It's a great place for people to enjoy nature.

Building the Moore Dam

The Moore Reservoir was formed when the Moore Dam was completed in 1956. This huge dam was built across the Connecticut River. When the dam was finished, the river water backed up and flooded the area. This created the large lake we see today.

The flooding caused some villages to be covered by water. These included Pattenville, New Hampshire and an older part of Waterford, Vermont. Today, the Moore Dam is owned and operated by a company called TransCanada Corporation.

Powering Homes with the Dam

The Moore Dam is very important for making electricity. It uses the power of the water flowing through it to generate energy. With a capacity of 192 megawatts, it's the most powerful of TransCanada's thirteen hydroelectric facilities in New England. This means it produces a lot of clean energy for homes and businesses.

Fish and Wildlife in the Reservoir

Moore Reservoir is a great place for fishing! It's known as a cold- and warmwater fishery. This means many different kinds of fish can live there.

You can find various species of fish in the reservoir, including:

• brook trout
• rainbow trout
• brown trout
• smallmouth bass
• largemouth bass
• chain pickerel
• bullpout (also known as brown bullhead)
• northern pike
• rock bass

This variety makes the reservoir a fun place for anglers of all ages.

Pine Island: A Popular Spot

Separated from the main reservoir by the Curran-McAvoy Causeway (on which runs Interstate 93), Pine Island, pictured here at low water level, is a popular area for boating and swimming.

Pine Island is a well-known area within the Moore Reservoir. It's separated from the main part of the reservoir by the Curran-McAvoy Causeway. This causeway is where Interstate 93 runs. Pine Island is a favorite spot for people who enjoy boating and swimming in the lake.