Flooding from a dam in Stoddard after Monday’s heavy rainfall has had a major ripple effect in Antrim.

According to Antrim Fire Chief Marshall Gale, the Liberty Farm Road bridge experienced structural damage and flooding, which he said was caused by flooding from the Island Pond Dam in Stoddard.

According to Stoddard Emergency Management Director Daniel Eaton, the Island Pond Dam has been experiencing major water buildup during the state’s wet early summer. Eaton said torrential rain caused a 50-foot wall of water to build up at the dam, causing the dam’s flash boards and pipes to snap off.

“It was a controlled and not-controlled release,” said Eaton. “When the water gets above 18 inches over the boards, they collapse. You know it’s going to happen, but you don’t know when the boards are going to pop. There’s no way to control it.”

The powerful current traveled into Antrim’s North Branch River, eventually leading into Liberty Farm Road and Steel Pond Dam.  According to Eaton, several residents who abut the bridge are also experiencing flooding on their property.

After examining the bridge up-close, one Antrim resident who lives nearby said the severe flooding is unlike anything he has experienced before. 

“I’ve lived here for five years and I have never seen the water this high,” said Alex Colelo. 

Due to the flooding, the tar on the bridge is peeling and the structure’s surface is partially underwater. Additionally, the current was so loud, it could be heard from up to a half-mile away. Some residents who got close to the action looked shocked as they witnessed the high current clash with the bridge and rip through the surrounding forest area.

Based on the structure’s current condition and the strong current, Gale said the bridge is impassable and is currently blocked off, except in emergency cases. 

“At this point, [the bridge] is only able to be trafficked with a four-wheel pickup. We did give the neighbors an opportunity to evacuate, but most chose to stay in place,” said Gale. “The main priority is to make sure these nearby homes have access to Stacy Hill Road and make it possible for emergency vehicles to pass through,” said Gale. 

Despite the severe flooding, Gale said the bridge has remained intact, and community members can expect the flooding to subside by the end of the week. 

“A tremendous amount of water needs to be released to not make [the bridge] fail,” said Gale. “It’s probably going to take several days for the water to recede.”

However, Cory Clark, chief engineer for the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services’ Dam Bureau, said community members may experience even more of a delay due to potential rain next week. 

“The flow is already starting to recede from those two sites,” said Clark. “It’s unknown at this time, it’s really dependent on the rainfall coming into next week.”