Westminster Reservoir Dam dam
Westminster Reservoir Dam
Westminster Reservoir Dam, located in Westminster, Massachusetts, was completed in 1909 and serves as a critical water supply source for the area. Managed by a private entity, the dam stands at 31 feet high and has a hydraulic height of 23 feet, with a length of 1500 feet. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 1800 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 870 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 116 acres and draining an area of 12.2 square miles.
The dam, primarily constructed of earth with a buttress core type, is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts and undergoes regular inspections with a fair condition assessment as of April 2017. With a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment score of 3, the dam is considered a crucial piece of infrastructure for water resource management in the region. Despite its age, the Westminster Reservoir Dam continues to play a vital role in ensuring water supply reliability and management for the surrounding communities.
In the event of an emergency, the dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway type, although no outlet gates or locks are present. With a history of modifications unlisted, the dam remains a key component in the overall risk management strategy for water resources in the area. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the importance of infrastructure like the Westminster Reservoir Dam is critical for maintaining the resilience and sustainability of water systems in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Westminster Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Nashua River At Fitchburg | 75 cfs | → |
| Otter River At Otter River | 84 cfs | → |
| Millers River Near Winchendon | 100 cfs | → |
| Birch Hill Reservoir At South Royalston | 30 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River Near Leominster | 114 cfs | → |
| Priest Brook Near Winchendon | 33 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Westminster Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Whalom Lake Public Boat Ramp
- River Road Royalston
- Grassy Pond Boat Launch
- Pool Pond Boat Launch
- Contoocook Lake Boat Launch
- Laurel Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Damon Pond Campground
- Pearl Hill Campground
- Otter River State Forest
- Beaman Pond Campground
- East Dennison Camping Area
- Lake Dennison State Park
Track Westminster 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 Westminster Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Westminster 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 Westminster Reservoir Dam.