Trowel Shop Pond Dam dam
Trowel Shop Pond Dam
Located in Sharon, Massachusetts, Trowel Shop Pond Dam is a gravity dam on the Massapuag Brook, completed in 1940 for recreational purposes. With a height of 20 feet and a hydraulic height of 6 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and serves as a low hazard potential structure. The dam is owned by the local government and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Trowel Shop Pond Dam is in poor condition as of the last assessment in 2008. The dam lacks a spillway and outlet gates, posing a high risk in the event of a breach or overflow. Emergency action plans and risk management measures are yet to be implemented, highlighting the need for maintenance and upgrades to ensure public safety and protection of the surrounding environment.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to monitor and advocate for the rehabilitation of Trowel Shop Pond Dam. By addressing its structural deficiencies and implementing proper emergency protocols, this dam can continue to provide recreational opportunities while mitigating potential risks associated with its aging infrastructure. Let's work together to safeguard this important water resource for future generations.
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 Trowel Shop Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Neponset River At Canton | 15 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Norwood | 10 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Greenlodge St Near Canton | 54 cfs | → |
| Mother Brook At Dedham | 40 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Dover | 138 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Milton Village | 129 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Trowel Shop Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Beach Street Sharon
- Ames Street Dedham
- Providence Highway 267, Dedham
- Town Street 128, Braintree
- Needham Street 511, Dedham
- Randolph Street 315, Weymouth
Track Trowel Shop Pond 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 Trowel Shop Pond Dam
Where does the data for Trowel Shop Pond 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 Low 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 Trowel Shop Pond Dam.