Eagle Lake Dam dam
Eagle Lake Dam
Eagle Lake Dam, located in Holden, Massachusetts, was completed in 1938 and serves as a vital recreational resource for the community. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a normal storage capacity of 680 acre-feet. The dam, classified as a masonry structure with a buttress core type, spans 222 feet in length and impounds ASNEBUMSKIT BROOK, providing an 80-acre surface area for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking.
Managed by a private owner, the Eagle Lake Dam is regulated by the DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION in Massachusetts. The dam's hazard potential is rated as high, although its condition assessment is deemed fair as of the last inspection in November 2017. The dam has an inspection frequency of every two years, and emergency action plans are in place to address any potential risks associated with its operation.
Despite its moderate risk assessment, the Eagle Lake Dam continues to be a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking outdoor recreation opportunities in the Worcester County area. With its scenic surroundings and abundant wildlife, the dam serves as a treasured landmark for both residents and visitors alike, highlighting the importance of responsible stewardship and maintenance of our water resources for future generations to enjoy.
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 Eagle Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 27 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 22 cfs | → |
| Ware River Near Barre | 91 cfs | → |
| Sevenmile River Near Spencer | 16 cfs | → |
| Ware River At Intake Works Near Barre | 139 cfs | → |
| Quinsigamond River At North Grafton | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Eagle Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Overlook Drive 16-18, Spencer
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
- Oak Island Boat Ramp
- Shore Road 83, North Brookfield
- South Street 178-198, Auburn
Campgrounds
- Otter River State Forest
- Beaman Pond Campground
- Pearl Hill Campground
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
- Damon Pond Campground
- East Dennison Camping Area
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Eagle Lake 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 Eagle Lake Dam
Where does the data for Eagle Lake 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 Eagle Lake Dam.