Scott Reservoir Dam dam
Scott Reservoir Dam
Located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the Scott Reservoir Dam is a concrete structure built in 1875 primarily for water supply purposes. Standing at a height of 39.5 feet, it utilizes a buttress core type and has a storage capacity of 603 acre-feet with a normal storage level of 445 acre-feet. The dam sits on Scott Brook with a drainage area of 0.82 square miles and a surface area of 33.7 acres.
Managed by the local government, the Scott Reservoir Dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts. The dam has a high hazard potential and was last inspected in November 2014, with a fair condition assessment. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its purpose efficiently, ensuring a reliable water supply for the surrounding area.
With a moderate risk assessment rating, the Scott Reservoir Dam remains a key infrastructure for water resource management in Worcester County, Massachusetts. Its strategic location and design make it an essential element in maintaining water supply security and mitigating potential risks associated with dam failure. As a focal point for climate and water resource enthusiasts, the dam serves as a testament to the importance of sustainable infrastructure in adapting to changing environmental conditions.
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 Scott Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Nashua River At Fitchburg | 101 cfs | → |
| Squannacook River Near West Groton | 83 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River Near Leominster | 149 cfs | → |
| Otter River At Otter River | 105 cfs | → |
| Nashua River At East Pepperell | 531 cfs | → |
| Millers River Near Winchendon | 121 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scott Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Whalom Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Grassy Pond Boat Launch
- Melendy Pond Boat Launch
- River Road Royalston
- Pool Pond Boat Launch
- Contoocook Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Damon Pond Campground
- Pearl Hill Campground
- Otter River State Forest
- Beaman Pond Campground
- East Dennison Camping Area
- Lake Dennison State Park
Track Scott 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 Scott Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Scott 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 High 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 Scott Reservoir Dam.