Lake Quannapowitt Dam dam
Lake Quannapowitt Dam
Located in Wakefield, Massachusetts, the Lake Quannapowitt Dam stands as a vital structure for recreational activities in the area. Built in 1927, this concrete dam with a buttress core type serves as a popular spot for locals and visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Saugus River. With a height of 6 feet and a storage capacity of 2260 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the normal storage levels of 1625 acre-feet for the lake.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being categorized as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition is assessed as satisfactory, with a moderate risk level. Its uncontrolled spillway type and proximity to the Saugus River highlight the importance of effective risk management measures to mitigate any potential emergencies or inundation risks.
With its picturesque location and historical significance, the Lake Quannapowitt Dam not only provides a recreational oasis for the community but also serves as a reminder of the importance of water resource management and climate resilience. As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like the Lake Quannapowitt Dam play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our natural environment.
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 Lake Quannapowitt Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ipswich River At South Middleton | 26 cfs | → |
| Saugus R At Saugus Iron Works At Saugus | 9 cfs | → |
| Aberjona River At Winchester | 11 cfs | → |
| Shawsheen River Near Wilmington | 27 cfs | → |
| Shawsheen River At Hanscom Field Near Bedford | 7 cfs | → |
| Hobbs Brook At Mill St Nr Lincoln | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Quannapowitt Dam.
Boat launches
- Woods Road Andover
- Blossom Street Extension 398, Lynn
- Nahant Ave Ramp
- Pond Lane Arlington
- Harbor Walk Charlestown
- Terminal Street Charlestown
Track Lake Quannapowitt 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 Lake Quannapowitt Dam
Where does the data for Lake Quannapowitt 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 Lake Quannapowitt Dam.