Westford Depot Dam dam
Westford Depot Dam
Westford Depot Dam, located in Westford, Massachusetts, is a masonry dam with a primary purpose of "Other." The dam, situated on the Stony Brook river, has a height of 12 feet and a hydraulic height of 7 feet. It has a storage capacity of 490 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 280 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts and is inspected regularly to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
The Westford Depot Dam has a significant hazard potential and is considered to be in fair condition as of the last assessment in July 2015. The dam has a moderate risk level, with a risk assessment rating of 3. While the dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared, it undergoes regular inspections every 5 years to monitor its condition and ensure the safety of the surrounding area. With its historical significance and importance for water resource management in the region, the Westford Depot Dam serves as a key structure in the local government's efforts to protect and regulate water resources.
Despite its age and design, the Westford Depot Dam continues to play a crucial role in managing water flow and storage in the region. As a gravity dam with a buttress core type, it reflects the engineering practices of its time and stands as a testament to the importance of maintaining and monitoring infrastructure for water resource management. With its location in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, the dam remains a focal point for climate and water resource enthusiasts interested in the intersection of historical infrastructure and modern regulatory practices.
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 Westford Depot Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nashoba Brook Near Acton | 7 cfs | → |
| Concord R Below R Meadow Brook | 311 cfs | → |
| Merrimack River Bl Concord River At Lowell | 11,800 cfs | → |
| Nashua River At East Pepperell | 531 cfs | → |
| Shawsheen River Near Wilmington | 21 cfs | → |
| Assabet River At Maynard | 95 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Westford Depot Dam.
Boat launches
- Great Road 687, Littleton
- Pawtucket Boulevard 936-970, Lowell
- Emerson Drive Littleton
- Flint Pond Road, Tyngsborough
- Willowdale Avenue 1-53, Dracut
- Billerica Street 5-65, Lowell
Track Westford Depot 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 Westford Depot Dam
Where does the data for Westford Depot 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 Westford Depot Dam.