Laurel Lake Dam dam
Laurel Lake Dam
Located in Warwick, Massachusetts, Laurel Lake Dam is a state-owned structure that serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. The dam, primarily constructed of earth and buttress core types, has a height of 9 feet and a length of 125 feet. It holds a maximum storage capacity of 440 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 43 acres, with a normal storage capacity of 176 acre-feet. The dam regulates an unnamed tributary of Moss Brook and is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Laurel Lake Dam poses a moderate risk level. The last inspection date was in November 2010, with an inspection frequency of 10 years. The dam utilizes an uncontrolled spillway type and has not been modified in recent years. While the emergency action plan status and risk management measures are unspecified, the structure is under state regulation and inspection, ensuring the safety and functionality of the dam for both wildlife preservation and recreational purposes.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Laurel Lake Dam an intriguing structure in the heart of Massachusetts. With its unique purpose as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, the dam plays a vital role in supporting local ecosystems and providing recreational opportunities. The structure's dimensions, storage capacity, and risk assessment offer valuable insights into its impact on the surrounding environment and the measures in place to ensure its safety. As a state-regulated and inspected facility, Laurel Lake Dam stands as a testament to responsible water resource management and conservation efforts in the region.
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 Laurel Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Millers River At Erving | 1,210 cfs | → |
| East Branch Tully River Near Athol | 5 cfs | → |
| Millers River At South Royalston | 39 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Montague City | 36,200 cfs | → |
| West Branch Swift River Near Shutesbury | 28 cfs | → |
| Birch Hill Reservoir At South Royalston | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Laurel Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- North Orange Road 52-534, Athol
- Main Street 2010, Athol
- Regulating Dam Road, New Salem
- Doane Hill Road Royalston
- River Road Royalston
- Laurel Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Erving State Forest
- Richardson-Zlogar Cabin
- Tully Lake
- Barton Cove
- Falls Brook Shelter
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- Headwaters To First Bridge
Track Laurel 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 Laurel Lake Dam
Where does the data for Laurel 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 Laurel Lake Dam.