Cedar Pond Dam dam
Cedar Pond Dam
Cedar Pond Dam in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, stands as a local government-owned structure that not only serves as a recreational spot but also plays a crucial role in water resource management. Completed in 1958, this earth-type dam boasts a height of 9 feet and a hydraulic height of 10 feet, with a storage capacity of 940 acre-feet. The dam, situated on Cedar Brook, covers a surface area of 0.29 square miles and drains an area of 3.32 square miles.
Maintained by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Cedar Pond Dam has been deemed to have a significant hazard potential, yet its condition is assessed as satisfactory, with the last inspection in January 2017. The dam's Emergency Action Plan status remains unknown, highlighting the need for regular updates and adherence to guidelines. With its moderate risk assessment rating, this vital dam plays a pivotal role in water storage and local recreation, serving as a valuable asset to the community in Worcester County.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, Cedar Pond Dam stands as a critical structure for managing water levels and ensuring public safety. With its controlled spillway and storage capacity, the dam plays an essential role in flood control and water supply management. Regular inspections and risk assessments are necessary to maintain the dam's integrity and safeguard the surrounding area from potential hazards. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, understanding the importance of structures like Cedar Pond Dam is crucial in ensuring sustainable water management practices for future generations.
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 Cedar Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinebaug R Bl E Brimfield Dam At Fiskdale | 119 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug R Bl Westville Dam Nr Southbridge | 193 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug River At Quinebaug | 244 cfs | → |
| Quaboag River At West Brimfield | 267 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Oxford | 4 cfs | → |
| French River Below Dam | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cedar Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Clark Road Extension 303, Sturbridge
- South Pond Road 143, Brookfield
- Quaboag Street 131-199, Brookfield
- Bigelow Pond
- Cottage Street 2-38, West Brookfield
- Oxford Road 195-253, Charlton
Campgrounds
- Brialee
- Wilderness Lake Campground
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- George Washington State Campground
- Westover Arb Military
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
Fishing spots
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
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
- The Confluence With The Nepaug River To A Point 0.2 Miles Below The Lower Collinsville Dam Tailrace
Track Cedar 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 Cedar Pond Dam
Where does the data for Cedar 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 Cedar Pond Dam.