Patch Reservoir Dam dam
Patch Reservoir Dam
Patch Reservoir Dam, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, was completed in 1896 and serves as a crucial structure for recreational purposes, offering a serene environment for water enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The dam, primarily owned and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts, stands at a height of 8.7 feet and has a hydraulic height of 5 feet, providing a storage capacity of 229 acre-feet for the surrounding area. With a surface area of 34 acres and a drainage area of 9.7 square miles, Patch Reservoir Dam plays a key role in managing water resources in the region, particularly in the Tatnuck Brook watershed.
Despite its age, Patch Reservoir Dam is assessed to be in fair condition, with a high hazard potential due to its proximity to residential areas. Regular inspections, conducted every two years, ensure the safety and integrity of the dam, with the latest assessment in October 2019 confirming its overall stability. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, reflecting its historical construction and design. While the risk assessment deems the dam as having a moderate risk level, appropriate risk management measures are in place to address any potential issues and ensure the safety of the surrounding community. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Patch Reservoir Dam stands as a testament to the importance of maintaining and managing infrastructure for both recreational enjoyment and environmental conservation.
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 Patch Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackstone River | 136 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 27 cfs | → |
| Quinsigamond River At North Grafton | 15 cfs | → |
| Sevenmile River Near Spencer | 16 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 22 cfs | → |
| French River Below Dam | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Patch Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
- Overlook Drive 16-18, Spencer
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Oak Island Boat Ramp
- South Street 178-198, Auburn
- Brigham Hill Road Grafton
Campgrounds
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- Minha Casa
- George Washington State Campground
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
- Pearl Hill Campground
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Patch Reservoir 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 Patch Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Patch Reservoir 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 Patch Reservoir Dam.