South Barre Mill Pond Dam
South Barre Mill Pond
South Barre Mill Pond in South Barre, Massachusetts, is a private hydroelectric dam on the Ware River, completed in 1981. With a dam height of 22 feet and a length of 315 feet, this concrete structure provides a storage capacity of 115 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 23 acres. Despite being federally regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the dam is not state-regulated and does not require state permitting or inspections.
The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 180 feet, and it has a maximum discharge capacity of 17,230 cubic feet per second. The hazard potential of South Barre Mill Pond is considered significant, with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. Although the condition assessment is not available, the emergency action plan was last revised in July 2018. The dam does not have associated locks or gates, but it serves as a critical infrastructure for generating hydroelectric power in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, South Barre Mill Pond offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of human engineering and natural water systems. As a part of the New England District, this dam plays a crucial role in water management and energy production. Its design and construction highlight the importance of balancing environmental concerns with the need for sustainable energy sources. With its significant hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure the safety and efficiency of this hydroelectric facility in Worcester County, Massachusetts.
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 South Barre Mill Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ware River At Intake Works Near Barre | 16 cfs | → |
| Ware River Near Barre | 6 cfs | → |
| East Branch Swift River Near Hardwick | 3 cfs | → |
| Sevenmile River Near Spencer | 0 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 3 cfs | → |
| Ware River At Gibbs Crossing | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Barre Mill Pond .
Boat launches
See all →
Campgrounds
See all →
River runs
See all →
About South Barre Mill Pond
Where does the data for South Barre Mill Pond 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 Significant 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 below 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.
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.