High water levels along the Salmon Falls River near Rochester are causing a
number of evacuations.
New Hampshire Public Radio's Brady Carlson has more.
Like many dams along the Salmon Falls River, Rochester's dam is feeling the strain of the heavy rains.Deputy Chief Fran Zombeck of the Rochester Fire Department says the evacuation is a proactive measure in case the dam fails:
"The dam is at full capacity, and there's a concern it might breach. And we're gonna be evacuating the Salmon Falls rivershed."
The Rochester dam is one of more than a dozen dams being actively monitored by the Office of Emergency Management. The dam in nearby Milton is also being watched, but officials say it's holding steady.
Meanwhile, water from the river has flooded the water treatment plant in Somerworth. That town has issued a water emergency and told residents to boil water before drinking.
For NHPR News, I'm Brady Carlson.
