Sudbury Reservoir Dam dam
Sudbury Reservoir Dam
The Sudbury Reservoir Dam, located in Southborough, Massachusetts, is a vital structure that serves as a key component in the state's water supply system. Completed in 1899, this concrete dam with a height of 77 feet and a hydraulic height of 70 feet, plays a crucial role in storing water from the Stony Brook, with a storage capacity of 33,020 acre-feet. The dam covers a surface area of 2.8 square miles and has a drainage area of 22.3 square miles, making it an essential resource for the region.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Sudbury Reservoir Dam is regularly inspected, with a satisfactory condition assessment as of August 2016. With a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, the dam's emergency action plan is continuously updated to ensure preparedness for any potential incidents. The dam meets state regulations for permitting, inspection, and enforcement, highlighting the commitment to maintaining its structural integrity and the safety of the surrounding community.
As a crucial water supply infrastructure in Worcester County, the Sudbury Reservoir Dam is not only a feat of engineering but also a testament to the state's dedication to water resource management and climate resilience. Its historical significance, combined with its modern-day regulatory compliance and risk management measures, make it a cornerstone in ensuring a sustainable water supply for the region's residents and ecosystems.
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 Sudbury Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sudbury River At Saxonville | 112 cfs | → |
| Lake Cochituate Outlet At Framingham | 25 cfs | → |
| Assabet River At Maynard | 95 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook Reservoir At Dam Near Waltham | 0 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook At Rt 20 At Waltham | 27 cfs | → |
| Quinsigamond River At North Grafton | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sudbury Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakeview Avenue 98, Framingham
- Cedar Street 154-180, Hopkinton
- Ashland State Park Boat Launch
- Commonwealth Road 39, Natick
- Wood Street 291-299, Hopkinton
- Emerald Bracelet, Northborough
Track Sudbury 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 Sudbury Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Sudbury 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 Sudbury Reservoir Dam.