Barre Falls Dam Dam
Barre Falls Dam
Barre Falls Dam, also known as the Dry Reservoir, is a rockfill dam located in Barre, Massachusetts, along the Ware River. Completed in 1958 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this dam stands at a height of 69 feet and has a storage capacity of 63,000 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a spillway width of 60 feet to manage excess water during high flow events. The dam's hazard potential is rated as high, and it is equipped with an emergency action plan to address potential risks.
As a federal structure, Barre Falls Dam is owned, funded, designed, constructed, regulated, and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The dam plays a crucial role in managing flood risks in the area, with a focus on continual monitoring, maintenance, and risk management measures to ensure its structural integrity and public safety. The Corps collaborates with local emergency managers and the community to raise awareness and develop emergency response plans in case of a dam-related emergency, making it a key player in water resource and climate resilience efforts in the region.
Overall, Barre Falls Dam serves as a vital flood control infrastructure in Worcester County, Massachusetts, protecting downstream communities from potential inundation. With its strategic location on the Ware River and proactive risk management approach, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate adaptation in safeguarding communities against natural disasters.
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 Barre Falls Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ware River Near Barre | 6 cfs | → |
| Ware River At Intake Works Near Barre | 16 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 3 cfs | → |
| Otter River At Otter River | 10 cfs | → |
| East Branch Swift River Near Hardwick | 3 cfs | → |
| Sevenmile River Near Spencer | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Barre Falls Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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River runs
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About Barre Falls Dam
Where does the data for Barre Falls 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 below 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.
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.