Upper Mystic Lake Dam dam
Upper Mystic Lake Dam
The Upper Mystic Lake Dam in Arlington, Massachusetts, is a state-regulated structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Completed in 2009, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and serves primarily for flood risk reduction. Its reservoir has a storage capacity of 2800 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 0.01 square miles, with a drainage area of 27.6 square miles.
The dam's purpose extends to supporting fish and wildlife habitats, as well as providing recreation opportunities in the area. Its spillway type is uncontrolled, and the dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential, with a satisfactory condition assessment as of March 2017. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, with an inspection frequency of every 5 years to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find the Upper Mystic Lake Dam to be an essential piece of infrastructure for managing flood risks in the Mystic River watershed. Its construction and operation are overseen by state authorities, showcasing a commitment to environmental stewardship and public safety. This dam plays a vital role in balancing the needs of flood protection, wildlife conservation, and recreational enjoyment in the region.
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 Upper Mystic Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Aberjona River At Winchester | 8 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Waltham | 112 cfs | → |
| Hobbs Brook At Mill St Nr Lincoln | 0 cfs | → |
| Hobbs Bk Below Cambridge Res Nr Kendall Green | 7 cfs | → |
| Shawsheen River At Hanscom Field Near Bedford | 7 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook At Rt 20 At Waltham | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Mystic Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Pond Lane Arlington
- Harbor Walk Charlestown
- Reid Rotary Cambridgeport
- Terminal Street Charlestown
- Charles River Greenway Waltham
- Woerd Avenue 29-49, Waltham
Track Upper Mystic Lake 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 Upper Mystic Lake Dam
Where does the data for Upper Mystic Lake 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 Upper Mystic Lake Dam.