Mctaggarts Pond Dam dam
Mctaggarts Pond Dam
Mctaggarts Pond Dam, located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, is a concrete structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1928, the dam stands at a height of 22.3 feet and has a hydraulic height of 17.5 feet. It has a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 33 acre-feet and a surface area of 7 acres. The dam regulates Phillips Brook and is under state jurisdiction, regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Mctaggarts Pond Dam is facing challenges in terms of its condition assessment, which has been rated as poor. The dam has a significant hazard potential and is in need of maintenance and improvements to meet safety standards. The last inspection in April 2018 highlighted these concerns, with a risk assessment rating the dam's risk level as moderate. With its potential for recreational activities and its importance in managing water resources, continued attention and investment in Mctaggarts Pond Dam are crucial to ensure its long-term functionality and safety.
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 Mctaggarts Pond 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 | → |
| Ware River Near Barre | 91 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mctaggarts Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Whalom Lake Public Boat Ramp
- River Road Royalston
- Grassy Pond Boat Launch
- Pool Pond Boat Launch
- Melendy Pond Boat Launch
- Great Road 687, Littleton
Track Mctaggarts Pond 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 Mctaggarts Pond Dam
Where does the data for Mctaggarts Pond 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 Mctaggarts Pond Dam.