Alton Flood of 1996

Jthibeault · 03-08-2016, 04:59 PM

The dam breach was a disaster for many, many peope but for our family my cousin Lynda Sinclair lost her life. Hind sight is 20/20, as the way the flow of the water went around her house, she'd be alive today had she stayed home. She left behind her husband and tried to stay ahead of the flow of water and was pushed over the hill towards the river, her purse found in a tree down over the hill. One of our family members told the authorities where she was (his feelings) to no avail for a while til our family started chopping the ice in the vicinity stated then they joined in and she was found under a camper exactly where we were. May you always RIP Lynda. See you again.

Slickcraft · 03-09-2016, 08:15 AM

That was a tragic event for all involved and especially for your family.

WMUR channel 9 will broadcast a special 20th anniversary program this Thursday 3/10/1016 at 11 PM.

tis · 03-09-2016, 10:22 AM

That was terrible! I can't believe it was 20 years ago.

secondcurve · 03-10-2016, 05:40 AM

Was the dam rebuilt? There are references to the pond on the internet, indicating that the dam was reestablished, but I can't find any articles about what happened after the tragedy.

Just Sold · 03-10-2016, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Was the dam rebuilt? There are references to the pond on the internet, indicating that the dam was reestablished, but I can't find any articles about what happened after the tragedy.

No it was not rebuilt. Find Meadow Pond in Alton on Mapquest and you can see the damaged dam area beside a garage style building.

Slickcraft · 03-10-2016, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Sold

No it was not rebuilt. Find Meadow Pond in Alton on Mapquest and you can see the damaged dam area beside a garage style building.

Correct. They have been requests to rebuild that were denied by DES for safety reasons.

mcdude · 03-10-2016, 07:29 PM

Channel 9 is doing a piece on the flood tonight on the 11:00 NEWS. 20 year anniversary.

jazzman · 01-30-2020, 05:16 PM

The Bergeron's house and the pond are for sale.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...11088219_zpid/

tis · 01-30-2020, 06:43 PM

I never read that article before. I remember seeing how awful the area was but didn't know the people behind the tragedy. So sad.

Bigstan · 01-31-2020, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

I never read that article before. I remember seeing how awful the area was but didn't know the people behind the tragedy. So sad.

A sale is already pending, that was quick.

jazzman · 01-31-2020, 12:27 PM

Interesting. I was listed at 400k over town appraisal, the house doesn't look to be in good shape (or good design), the driveway is 1/2 mile long and a major snowmobile corridor goes through the property. I know the new owner could always shut that down, but people would still trespass and who wants bad feelings with a large number of people.

Descant · 01-31-2020, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzman

Interesting. I was listed at 400k over town appraisal, the house doesn't look to be in good shape (or good design), the driveway is 1/2 mile long and a major snowmobile corridor goes through the property. I know the new owner could always shut that down, but people would still trespass and who wants bad feelings with a large number of people.

Almost 700 acres assessed at less than $200K implies "current use". That's fine, but if there is a conservation easement, it may provide permission that can't be changed by a new owner, for a variety of activities.

Bigstan · 01-31-2020, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

Almost 700 acres assessed at less than $200K implies "current use". That's fine, but if there is a conservation easement, it may provide permission that can't be changed by a new owner, for a variety of activities.

It says assessed @ 540k in 2018. 400k over assessed = the 980k asking price.

ghfromaltonbay · 01-31-2020, 07:07 PM

Wow! Their property taxes are almost $1000/yr less than what I pay here in NJ for a house assessed at $149K. Mine would sell for about $325K and is a 1300 square ft cape on a 48x100' lot. I chuckle every time I hear NH residents complain about property taxes. If I could I would move to Alton in a heartbeat. Can't leave with 2 elderly parents nearby.

jazzman · 02-01-2020, 07:34 AM

Alton taxes are about 50-60% of those in non vacation NH communities without a large business base.

JADAQ · 04-09-2020, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzman

The Bergeron's house and the pond are for sale.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...11088219_zpid/

Mr Bergeron has since passed away, hence the sale of the house.

Reilly · 02-01-2020, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top-Water

It appears that it paid handsomely to make other peoples boats go fast. I wonder if he has any old water ski races memorabilia? He was always competitive back in the day. I think one of the Madden brothers was one of his skiers. Not sure how many people are aware he was the president/owner of Land & Sea. Primarily a company that in its early days souped up race boats.

It was Tommy Madden & he worked for Bob for many years at Land & Sea Performance & were good friends . Tommy is still playing with Performance Boats

03-08-2016, 04:59 PM	#1
Jthibeault Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1996 Alton Dam Breach The dam breach was a disaster for many, many peope but for our family my cousin Lynda Sinclair lost her life. Hind sight is 20/20, as the way the flow of the water went around her house, she'd be alive today had she stayed home. She left behind her husband and tried to stay ahead of the flow of water and was pushed over the hill towards the river, her purse found in a tree down over the hill. One of our family members told the authorities where she was (his feelings) to no avail for a while til our family started chopping the ice in the vicinity stated then they joined in and she was found under a camper exactly where we were. May you always RIP Lynda. See you again.

03-10-2016, 05:40 AM	#4
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,118 Thanks: 1,329 Thanked 559 Times in 288 Posts	What happened after the Failure? Was the dam rebuilt? There are references to the pond on the internet, indicating that the dam was reestablished, but I can't find any articles about what happened after the tragedy.

03-10-2016, 07:29 PM	#7
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	Channel 9 is doing a piece on the flood tonight on the 11:00 NEWS. 20 year anniversary. __________________

01-31-2020, 07:07 PM	#14
ghfromaltonbay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clifton, NJ, Alton Bay Posts: 827 Thanks: 255 Thanked 225 Times in 131 Posts	Property taxes Wow! Their property taxes are almost $1000/yr less than what I pay here in NJ for a house assessed at $149K. Mine would sell for about $325K and is a 1300 square ft cape on a 48x100' lot. I chuckle every time I hear NH residents complain about property taxes. If I could I would move to Alton in a heartbeat. Can't leave with 2 elderly parents nearby.

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03-09-2016, 08:15 AM	#2
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,310 Thanks: 1,227 Thanked 2,098 Times in 957 Posts	That was a tragic event for all involved and especially for your family. WMUR channel 9 will broadcast a special 20th anniversary program this Thursday 3/10/1016 at 11 PM.

03-09-2016, 10:22 AM	#3
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,749 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,459 Times in 1,016 Posts	That was terrible! I can't believe it was 20 years ago.

01-30-2020, 05:16 PM	#8
jazzman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mont Vernon NH & Big Barndoor Island Posts: 323 Thanks: 4 Thanked 184 Times in 62 Posts	The Bergeron's house and the pond are for sale. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...11088219_zpid/

01-30-2020, 06:43 PM	#9
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,749 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,459 Times in 1,016 Posts	I never read that article before. I remember seeing how awful the area was but didn't know the people behind the tragedy. So sad.

The Following User Says Thank You to Bigstan For This Useful Post:
tis (01-31-2020)

01-31-2020, 12:27 PM	#11
jazzman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mont Vernon NH & Big Barndoor Island Posts: 323 Thanks: 4 Thanked 184 Times in 62 Posts	Interesting. I was listed at 400k over town appraisal, the house doesn't look to be in good shape (or good design), the driveway is 1/2 mile long and a major snowmobile corridor goes through the property. I know the new owner could always shut that down, but people would still trespass and who wants bad feelings with a large number of people.

02-01-2020, 07:34 AM	#15
jazzman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mont Vernon NH & Big Barndoor Island Posts: 323 Thanks: 4 Thanked 184 Times in 62 Posts	Alton taxes are about 50-60% of those in non vacation NH communities without a large business base.

The Following User Says Thank You to JADAQ For This Useful Post:
Top-Water (04-09-2020)

The Following User Says Thank You to Reilly For This Useful Post:
Top-Water (02-02-2020)