Nichols Road Dam dam
Nichols Road Dam
Nichols Road Dam, located in Cohasset, Massachusetts, serves as a vital recreational resource for the local community. Owned by the local government and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this earth dam on Richardson's Brook provides a serene setting for outdoor activities. With a height of 10 feet and a capacity of 163 acre-feet, the dam offers a surface area of 19.3 acres for visitors to enjoy.
Despite its fair condition assessment in 2014, Nichols Road Dam poses a significant hazard potential, with a moderate risk rating. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it has a drainage area of 0.45 square miles. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, regular inspections are conducted every five years to ensure its structural integrity. With a maximum storage capacity of 163 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Nichols Road Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and recreational land use. As a primary purpose dam for recreation, it serves as a valuable asset for the community, offering opportunities for outdoor activities and water-based recreation. With its proximity to Richardson's Brook and its location in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, the dam stands as a testament to the intersection of environmental conservation, water management, and public enjoyment.
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 Nichols Road Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Whitmans Pond Fish Ladder At East Weymouth | 3 cfs | → |
| Whitmans Pond | 7 cfs | → |
| Old Swamp River Near South Weymouth | 3 cfs | → |
| Indian Head River At Hanover | 23 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Milton Village | 155 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Greenlodge St Near Canton | 76 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nichols Road Dam.
Boat launches
- Gonzo Hingham
- Ship Street Hingham
- Bridge Street Norwell
- Commercial Street Weymouth
- Randolph Street 315, Weymouth
- Indian Head Drive 1-307, Hanover
Track Nichols Road 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 Nichols Road Dam
Where does the data for Nichols Road 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 Nichols Road Dam.