Nabnasset Pond Dam dam
Nabnasset Pond Dam
Nabnasset Pond Dam, located in Westford, Massachusetts, is a significant earth dam built in 1926 for the primary purpose of recreation. The dam, situated on a tributary of Stony Brook, stands at a height of 14 feet with a hydraulic height of 11 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 1500 acre-feet. With a surface area of 140 acres and a drainage area of 1.73 square miles, the dam serves as a popular recreational spot for water enthusiasts in the Middlesex County area.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the dam is regulated by the state and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. The condition assessment of the dam is rated as fair, with a significant hazard potential. In case of emergencies, the dam is equipped with emergency action plans to ensure safety measures are in place. Despite being at moderate risk, the dam continues to be a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
For those interested in water resource management and climate conservation, Nabnasset Pond Dam serves as a prime example of how dams can be utilized for recreational purposes while also being subject to strict regulatory measures to ensure public safety. As a focal point for outdoor activities in the area, the dam stands as a testament to the careful balance between environmental preservation and human enjoyment of natural resources. Its significance in both water management and recreational activities makes it a noteworthy site for enthusiasts looking to explore the intersection of water resources and climate conservation.
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 Nabnasset Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Concord R Below R Meadow Brook | 311 cfs | → |
| Merrimack River Bl Concord River At Lowell | 11,800 cfs | → |
| Nashoba Brook Near Acton | 7 cfs | → |
| Nashua River At East Pepperell | 531 cfs | → |
| Shawsheen River Near Wilmington | 21 cfs | → |
| Beaver Brook At North Pelham | 35 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nabnasset Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Pawtucket Boulevard 936-970, Lowell
- Flint Pond Road, Tyngsborough
- Willowdale Avenue 1-53, Dracut
- Great Road 687, Littleton
- Billerica Street 5-65, Lowell
- Musquash Pond Boat Launch
Track Nabnasset 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 Nabnasset Pond Dam
Where does the data for Nabnasset 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 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 Nabnasset Pond Dam.