Lake Wampanoag Dam dam
Lake Wampanoag Dam
Lake Wampanoag Dam, located in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, is a privately-owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The dam, built for water supply purposes, stands at a height of 22 feet with a hydraulic height of 15.5 feet. It has a storage capacity of 3,750 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 218 acres, serving the surrounding area as a vital resource for water management.
With a high hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam has an inspection frequency of every 2 years. The structure, classified as an Earth dam with a Buttress core type, poses a moderate risk as per the risk assessment. The dam, which impounds the Whitman River, features an uncontrolled spillway and has a drainage area of 3.5 square miles. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan status are currently unlisted.
Lake Wampanoag Dam, nestled in Worcester County, Massachusetts, plays a crucial role in water supply management for the region. As a key component of the local infrastructure, the dam's maintenance and regulation by the state ensure the safety and sustainability of its operations in the face of potential climate challenges and water resource management.
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 Lake Wampanoag Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter River At Otter River | 105 cfs | → |
| Millers River Near Winchendon | 121 cfs | → |
| Birch Hill Reservoir At South Royalston | 30 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River At Fitchburg | 101 cfs | → |
| Priest Brook Near Winchendon | 33 cfs | → |
| Millers River At South Royalston | 39 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Wampanoag Dam.
Boat launches
- River Road Royalston
- Grassy Pond Boat Launch
- Whalom Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Pool Pond Boat Launch
- Contoocook Lake Boat Launch
- Laurel Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Otter River State Forest
- Beaman Pond Campground
- East Dennison Camping Area
- Lake Dennison State Park
- North Dennison Camping Area
- Damon Pond Campground
Track Lake Wampanoag 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 Lake Wampanoag Dam
Where does the data for Lake Wampanoag 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 Lake Wampanoag Dam.