Bristol Blake State Reservoir Dam dam
Bristol Blake State Reservoir Dam
Bristol Blake State Reservoir Dam, located in Norfolk, Massachusetts, was completed in 1961 and serves as a vital resource for fish and wildlife preservation. Standing at a height of 15 feet with a hydraulic height of 12 feet, this concrete dam provides a storage capacity of 154 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 76 acres. The dam is regulated and inspected by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensuring its structural integrity and compliance with state regulations.
With a primary purpose of maintaining a fish and wildlife pond, Bristol Blake State Reservoir Dam also serves as a recreational area for the local community. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam's condition is assessed as fair, and regular inspections are conducted to mitigate any risks. The dam's spillway, classified as uncontrolled, plays a crucial role in managing water flow and preventing potential flooding events in the Stony Brook river.
In the event of an emergency, the dam has an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, last updated in March 2018. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is equipped with risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding area. Overall, Bristol Blake State Reservoir Dam stands as a key infrastructure for water resource management and environmental conservation in Norfolk, Massachusetts.
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 Bristol Blake State Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Charles River At Medway | 68 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Norwood | 15 cfs | → |
| East Branch Neponset River At Canton | 19 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Dover | 154 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Greenlodge St Near Canton | 76 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Woonsocket | 433 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bristol Blake State Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Beach Street Sharon
- Blue Trail Sherborn
- Bridge Street 1, Dover
- Lake Street Sherborn
- Falls Pond
- Norton Reservoir Launch
Track Bristol Blake State 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 Bristol Blake State Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Bristol Blake State 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 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 Bristol Blake State Reservoir Dam.