Assabet River Dam dam
Assabet River Dam
The Assabet River Dam, located in Northborough, Massachusetts, is a significant structure with a primary purpose of water supply. The dam, made of concrete and rockfill with a buttress core type, stands at a height of 11 feet and spans 170 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 20 acre-feet and a drainage area of 30 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Assabet River Dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains satisfactory. The surrounding area boasts a surface area of 3.04 acres, providing a serene environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the vital role that the dam plays in maintaining the ecological balance of the region.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, the Assabet River Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices. With a moderate risk assessment rating, efforts are being made to implement risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the safety and functionality of the dam for years to come. The Assabet River Dam serves as a key infrastructure for water supply and environmental conservation, highlighting the intersection of human development and nature in a dynamic and ever-changing climate.
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 Assabet River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinsigamond River At North Grafton | 15 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 22 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 27 cfs | → |
| Assabet River At Maynard | 95 cfs | → |
| Sudbury River At Saxonville | 112 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River | 136 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Assabet River Dam.
Boat launches
- Bartlett Street 152, Northborough
- Emerald Bracelet, Northborough
- Chauncy Street 19, Westborough
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Wood Street 291-299, Hopkinton
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
Track Assabet River 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 Assabet River Dam
Where does the data for Assabet River 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 Assabet River Dam.