Ware River Diversion Dam dam
Ware River Diversion Dam
The Ware River Diversion Dam, located in Barre, Massachusetts, is a state-owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Completed in 1910, this earth dam stands at a height of 38 feet and serves the primary purpose of water supply. With a storage capacity of 500 acre-feet and a drainage area of 99 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
The dam has a significant hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition, as assessed in September 2014. It has an uncontrolled spillway type and a moderate risk level. The structure is inspected every 5 years to ensure its safety and functionality. With its strategic location on the Ware River and its vital role in water supply, the Ware River Diversion Dam is a key component of the state's infrastructure for managing water resources and ensuring water security in the region.
Overall, the Ware River Diversion Dam is a critical water management infrastructure in Worcester County, Massachusetts. With its historical significance and ongoing role in water supply, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of climate change and increasing water demands. As a state-regulated structure with a focus on water supply, the Ware River Diversion Dam plays a crucial role in safeguarding water resources for the community and highlighting the need for effective dam management practices 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 Ware River Diversion Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ware River At Intake Works Near Barre | 139 cfs | → |
| Ware River Near Barre | 91 cfs | → |
| Sevenmile River Near Spencer | 16 cfs | → |
| East Branch Swift River Near Hardwick | 74 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 27 cfs | → |
| Otter River At Otter River | 105 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ware River Diversion Dam.
Boat launches
- Hardwick Road, Hardwick
- Dana Road, Petersham
- Overlook Drive 16-18, Spencer
- Shore Road 83, North Brookfield
- Cottage Street 2-38, West Brookfield
- Walter Drive 2-98, Ware
Campgrounds
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
- Beaman Pond Campground
- Otter River State Forest
- East Dennison Camping Area
- Lake Dennison State Park
- North Dennison Camping Area
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Ware River Diversion 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 Ware River Diversion Dam
Where does the data for Ware River Diversion 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 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 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 Ware River Diversion Dam.