Morse Reservoir Dam dam
Morse Reservoir Dam
Morse Reservoir Dam in Leominster, Massachusetts, is a vital structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation to regulate the flow of water in the tributary of Monoosnoc Brook. Serving as a key water supply source, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a hydraulic height of 20.2 feet. With a storage capacity of 200 acre-feet and a surface area of 0.02 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the water levels for the surrounding area.
Despite its fair condition assessment and significant hazard potential, Morse Reservoir Dam is regularly inspected to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam has an emergency action plan in place and meets regulatory guidelines. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it has a spillway width of 0 feet. In case of emergencies, local government authorities are prepared to respond effectively to minimize risks and protect the community from potential inundation.
The Morse Reservoir Dam, constructed for water supply purposes, serves as a testament to the importance of proper dam management and maintenance in safeguarding water resources and mitigating climate-related risks. With its strategic location and critical role in water regulation, this dam underscores the need for continuous monitoring, inspection, and risk management measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of water infrastructure 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 Morse Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Nashua River Near Leominster | 149 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River At Fitchburg | 101 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 22 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 27 cfs | → |
| Squannacook River Near West Groton | 83 cfs | → |
| Ware River Near Barre | 91 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morse Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Whalom Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Harvard Road 314, Stow
- Great Road 687, Littleton
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
- Emerson Drive Littleton
Track Morse 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 Morse Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Morse 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 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 Morse Reservoir Dam.