Highland Lake Dam dam
Highland Lake Dam
Highland Lake Dam, located in Norfolk, Massachusetts, is a privately owned structure that serves the primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1830, this masonry dam stands at a height of 19.5 feet along the STOP River, with a storage capacity of 160 acre-feet and a surface area of 0.03 square miles. Despite its age, the dam is in satisfactory condition and poses a low hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts regulates the Highland Lake Dam, conducting inspections every 10 years to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and has not been modified in recent years. While it does not have an emergency action plan in place, the risk management measures are currently unspecified. Overall, Highland Lake Dam offers a picturesque recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy the scenic beauty of the area.
In the event of any emergency, the contact information and guidelines for the emergency action plan are yet to be established. However, with the moderate risk assessment and the low hazard potential, the Highland Lake Dam continues to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors. As a historic structure dating back to the 19th century, the dam stands as a testament to the engineering ingenuity of its time and remains a vital part of the local landscape, offering both beauty and recreational opportunities for all to appreciate.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Highland Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Charles River At Medway | 55 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Norwood | 12 cfs | → |
| East Branch Neponset River At Canton | 16 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Dover | 150 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Greenlodge St Near Canton | 61 cfs | → |
| Mother Brook At Dedham | 46 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Highland Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Beach Street Sharon
- Blue Trail Sherborn
- Bridge Street 1, Dover
- Lake Street Sherborn
- Rose Donahue Boat Launch
- Ames Street Dedham
Track Highland Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Highland Lake Dam
Where does the data for Highland Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Highland Lake Dam.