Assabet River Dam dam
Assabet River Dam
The Assabet River Dam in Stow, Massachusetts, stands as a significant structure in the state's water resource management, offering recreational opportunities to the local community. Completed in 1924, this gravity dam spans 140 feet in length and reaches a height of 14.5 feet, with a primary purpose of facilitating recreation along the Assabet River. Regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the dam boasts a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, ensuring its continued safety and functionality for water enthusiasts.
With a drainage area of 75.5 square miles, the Assabet River Dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and storage in the region. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam's structural integrity remains sound, as evidenced by its last inspection in 2009. The presence of an uncontrolled spillway and a maximum storage capacity of 124 acre-feet further highlight the dam's importance in maintaining the ecological balance of the Assabet River ecosystem. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find the Assabet River Dam to be a captivating example of sustainable infrastructure that not only serves recreational purposes but also contributes to the overall water management strategies in Massachusetts.
As a private-owned structure with state regulation and inspection, the Assabet River Dam embodies a collaborative effort between local stakeholders and government agencies to ensure its safe operation. With a focus on recreation and water resource management, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of balancing human needs with environmental conservation. For those interested in the intersection of climate resilience, water conservation, and recreational activities, the Assabet River Dam serves as a compelling case study in sustainable infrastructure development and management.
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 Assabet River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Assabet River At Maynard | 95 cfs | → |
| Sudbury River At Saxonville | 112 cfs | → |
| Nashoba Brook Near Acton | 7 cfs | → |
| Lake Cochituate Outlet At Framingham | 25 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River Near Leominster | 149 cfs | → |
| Hobbs Bk Below Cambridge Res Nr Kendall Green | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Assabet River Dam.
Boat launches
- Harvard Road 314, Stow
- Seymour Street 1a, Concord
- Bartlett Street 152, Northborough
- Emerald Bracelet, Northborough
- South Great Road Lincoln
- Emerson Drive Littleton
Track Assabet River 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 Assabet River Dam
Where does the data for Assabet River 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 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 Assabet River Dam.