Silk Mill Dam dam
Silk Mill Dam
Silk Mill Dam, located in Newton, Massachusetts, was completed in 1912 and serves as a critical flood risk reduction structure along the Charles River. This concrete dam, with a height of 20 feet and a hydraulic height of 15 feet, has a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet and covers a drainage area of 211 square miles. Despite its age, the dam is in fair condition and has a low hazard potential, as indicated by the most recent inspection in 2010.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Silk Mill Dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. Its uncontrolled spillway type and 50-foot length contribute to its effectiveness in managing water flow and reducing flood risk. While the dam has not undergone significant modifications in recent years, its risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, requiring ongoing monitoring and management measures to ensure its continued functionality and safety.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate management will appreciate the strategic importance of Silk Mill Dam in the flood risk reduction efforts along the Charles River. With its historical significance and vital role in protecting the local community, this concrete structure exemplifies the intersection of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and public safety. As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, the maintenance and upkeep of dams like Silk Mill Dam become increasingly critical in safeguarding our communities and natural resources.
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 Silk Mill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Charles River At Wellesley | 99 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook Reservoir At Dam Near Waltham | 0 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Waltham | 112 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Dover | 154 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook At Rt 20 At Waltham | 22 cfs | → |
| Mother Brook At Dedham | 48 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Silk Mill Dam.
Boat launches
- Needham Street 511, Dedham
- Woerd Avenue 29-49, Waltham
- Charles River Greenway Waltham
- College Road Wellesley
- Providence Highway 267, Dedham
- Ames Street Dedham
Track Silk Mill 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 Silk Mill Dam
Where does the data for Silk Mill 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 Low 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 Silk Mill Dam.