French Pond Dam dam
French Pond Dam
French Pond Dam, located in Easton, Massachusetts, is a private dam regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Completed in 1760, this Earth dam serves primarily for recreation purposes along the Dorchester (Meadow) Brook. With a height of 12 feet and a hydraulic height of 9.6 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 45 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 7.5 acres.
Despite its historical significance, French Pond Dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment. With a very high risk level and limited emergency preparedness measures in place, the dam poses a potential threat to the surrounding area in case of failure. The last inspection in May 2018 highlighted the urgent need for maintenance and risk management measures to ensure the safety of the dam and the community it serves.
As an enthusiast of water resources and climate, the French Pond Dam presents an intriguing case study in the intersection of historical infrastructure, recreational use, and the urgent need for risk mitigation in the face of changing climate conditions. This dam serves as a reminder of the importance of regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness to safeguard both the environment and the local population from the potential consequences of dam failure.
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 French Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Neponset River At Canton | 25 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Norwood | 21 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Greenlodge St Near Canton | 85 cfs | → |
| Old Swamp River Near South Weymouth | 4 cfs | → |
| Wading River Near Norton | 26 cfs | → |
| Whitmans Pond | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near French Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Beach Street Sharon
- Randolph Street 315, Weymouth
- Town Street 128, Braintree
- Lakeside Drive 62-136, Bridgewater
- Norton Reservoir Launch
- Commercial Street Weymouth
Track French Pond 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 French Pond Dam
Where does the data for French Pond 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 French Pond Dam.