Overlook Reservoir Dam dam
Overlook Reservoir Dam
Overlook Reservoir Dam in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, is a vital structure owned by the local government and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Built in 1872, this Earth dam stands at 41 feet high and serves the primary purpose of water supply. With a storage capacity of 146 acre-feet and a normal storage of 131 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in providing water to the surrounding areas.
Situated on a tributary of the North Nashua River, the dam covers a drainage area of 0.05 square miles and has a surface area of 12.3 acres. Despite being assessed as in fair condition with a high hazard potential, the dam has an adequate spillway system in place to manage uncontrolled water discharge. The risk assessment for this structure is moderate, indicating the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the reservoir.
Overall, Overlook Reservoir Dam stands as a key component of the water supply infrastructure in Worcester County, Massachusetts. Its historical significance, combined with its functional importance, underscores the need for continued monitoring and management to uphold its integrity and safeguard the surrounding community from potential risks associated with dam failure. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of water management, infrastructure resilience, and environmental conservation 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 Overlook Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Nashua River At Fitchburg | 101 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River Near Leominster | 149 cfs | → |
| Squannacook River Near West Groton | 83 cfs | → |
| Otter River At Otter River | 105 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 22 cfs | → |
| Nashua River At East Pepperell | 531 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Overlook Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Whalom Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Grassy Pond Boat Launch
- Melendy Pond Boat Launch
- River Road Royalston
- Great Road 687, Littleton
- Pool Pond Boat Launch
Track Overlook 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 Overlook Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Overlook 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 Overlook Reservoir Dam.