Rocky Pond Dam dam
Rocky Pond Dam
Rocky Pond Dam, located in Boylston, Massachusetts, is a privately owned gravity dam that was completed in 1950 for recreational purposes. The dam stands at a height of 8 feet and has a hydraulic height of 5.75 feet, with a storage capacity of 247.2 acre-feet. Situated on Cold Brook, the dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities and provides a serene setting for visitors to enjoy nature.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts, Rocky Pond Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state agency to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated." While the dam has not been evaluated for its emergency action plan or inundation maps, it remains a key feature in the Worcester County landscape for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
With its unique design, recreational purpose, and state oversight, Rocky Pond Dam offers a blend of natural beauty and engineered infrastructure for visitors to experience firsthand. As a part of the New England District, the dam provides a glimpse into the intersection of water management, environmental conservation, and recreational enjoyment in the region. Whether for fishing, hiking, or simply enjoying the picturesque views, Rocky Pond Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Rocky Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 28 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 21 cfs | → |
| Quinsigamond River At North Grafton | 12 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River Near Leominster | 167 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River | 91 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Northbridge | 1,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rocky Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Bartlett Street 152, Northborough
- Emerald Bracelet, Northborough
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
- Chauncy Street 19, Westborough
- Oak Island Boat Ramp
Track Rocky Pond 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 Rocky Pond Dam
Where does the data for Rocky Pond 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 Rocky Pond Dam.