Ice House dam
Ice House
Ice House, also known as West Main St. Dam, is a private hydroelectric structure located in Ayer, Massachusetts, near the Nashua River. Built in 1906, this dam stands at a height of 12 feet and has a structural height of 15 feet, with a storage capacity of 965 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 965 feet. With a controlled spillway width of 225 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 7200 cubic feet per second, Ice House plays a crucial role in managing water flow and generating hydroelectric power in the region.
Despite its age, Ice House is classified as having a low hazard potential and is regularly inspected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The dam features a slide (sluice gate) outlet gate and has an emergency action plan prepared, meeting guidelines for risk management. However, the risk assessment for Ice House indicates a very high risk level (1), highlighting the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and functionality of this important water resource infrastructure in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Ice House serves as a testament to the historical significance and ongoing relevance of hydroelectric infrastructure in the region, while also underscoring the importance of proactive risk management and maintenance practices in the face of evolving climate challenges. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the intricate details and operational aspects of structures like Ice House can provide valuable insights into the intersection of human ingenuity, environmental stewardship, and sustainable energy generation in the 21st century.
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 Ice House -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Squannacook River Near West Groton | 95 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River Near Leominster | 167 cfs | → |
| Nashua River At East Pepperell | 559 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River At Fitchburg | 111 cfs | → |
| Nashoba Brook Near Acton | 8 cfs | → |
| Assabet River At Maynard | 67 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ice House.
Boat launches
- Great Road 687, Littleton
- Whalom Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Emerson Drive Littleton
- Harvard Road 314, Stow
- Flint Pond Road, Tyngsborough
- Pawtucket Boulevard 936-970, Lowell
Track Ice House 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 Ice House
Where does the data for Ice House 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 Low 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 Ice House.