Winnekeag Lake Dam dam
Winnekeag Lake Dam
Winnekeag Lake Dam, located in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Built in 1878, this masonry dam stands at a height of 20.7 feet and has a hydraulic height of 14.7 feet. With a storage capacity of 1,284 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2.32 square miles, Winnekeag Lake Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
The dam, situated on Phillips Brook, is under the regulatory oversight of the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential with fair condition assessment, the dam is inspected every two years to ensure its safety and functionality. As a part of the risk management plan, the dam has moderate risk assessment and has an emergency action plan in place.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Winnekeag Lake Dam to be a fascinating structure due to its historical significance, recreational importance, and its role in water management in Worcester County, Massachusetts. The dam's design, storage capacity, and regulatory framework make it a noteworthy site for those interested in understanding the intersection of infrastructure, nature, and public safety.
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 Winnekeag Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Nashua River At Fitchburg | 111 cfs | → |
| Otter River At Otter River | 97 cfs | → |
| Millers River Near Winchendon | 173 cfs | → |
| Priest Brook Near Winchendon | 38 cfs | → |
| Birch Hill Reservoir At South Royalston | 30 cfs | → |
| Squannacook River Near West Groton | 95 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Winnekeag Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Grassy Pond Boat Launch
- Whalom Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Pool Pond Boat Launch
- Contoocook Lake Boat Launch
- River Road Royalston
- Laurel Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Damon Pond Campground
- Pearl Hill Campground
- Otter River State Forest
- East Dennison Camping Area
- Lake Dennison State Park
- Beaman Pond Campground
Track Winnekeag 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 Winnekeag Lake Dam
Where does the data for Winnekeag 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 High 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 Winnekeag Lake Dam.