Collinsville Dam dam
Collinsville Dam
Collinsville Dam, located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, was completed in 1850 and serves as a critical structure for fish and wildlife conservation. With a height of 22.4 feet and a storage capacity of 660 acre-feet, this masonry dam on Beaver Brook is vital for maintaining normal storage levels of 280 acre-feet for recreational purposes. However, recent inspections have indicated a poor condition assessment and a significant hazard potential, highlighting the need for immediate attention and maintenance.
Managed by a private owner, Collinsville Dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts. Despite its historical significance and role in supporting fish and wildlife habitats, the dam faces moderate risks and requires risk management measures to ensure its long-term stability. The dam's location in Dracut, along with its uncontrolled spillway and buttress core type, further emphasize the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to prevent any potential disasters or emergencies.
As a key structure in the New England District, Collinsville Dam not only provides essential habitat for local wildlife but also offers recreational opportunities for the community. With its unique design and historical significance, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our natural environment.
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 Collinsville Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Merrimack River Bl Concord River At Lowell | 8,560 cfs | → |
| Concord R Below R Meadow Brook | 260 cfs | → |
| Beaver Brook At North Pelham | 26 cfs | → |
| Spicket River Near Methuen | 28 cfs | → |
| Shawsheen River Near Wilmington | 15 cfs | → |
| Nashua River At East Pepperell | 341 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Collinsville Dam.
Boat launches
- Willowdale Avenue 1-53, Dracut
- Pawtucket Boulevard 936-970, Lowell
- Musquash Pond Boat Launch
- Flint Pond Road, Tyngsborough
- Billerica Street 5-65, Lowell
- Ridgewood Lane Methuen
Campgrounds
- Grotonwood
- Windham Town Forest Tent Platforms
- Camp Evergreen
- Pearl Hill Campground
- Damon Pond Campground
- Minha Casa
Paddle runs
Track Collinsville 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 Collinsville Dam
Where does the data for Collinsville 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 Collinsville Dam.