Delaney Complex dam
Delaney Complex
Delaney Complex in Stow, Massachusetts, is a state-regulated dam that was completed in 1967 for flood risk reduction along the Elizabeth Brook. With a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, the dam also serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond and recreational area. The Earth type dam stands at a height of 22 feet and has a hydraulic height of 4 feet, providing storage capacity of 3980 acre-feet and a surface area of 163 acres.
The dam, owned by the state of Massachusetts, is inspected every 5 years and was last assessed in March 2017, with a satisfactory condition rating. Despite the significant hazard potential, risk at the Delaney Complex is considered moderate. The dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and has not been modified in recent years. Located in Middlesex County, the Delaney Complex plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region, under the oversight of the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Enthusiasts of water resource management and climate resilience will find the Delaney Complex an intriguing example of infrastructure designed to balance flood protection with environmental conservation and recreational opportunities. With its strategic location in Stow and its contribution to the local ecosystem, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in adapting to changing climate conditions. The Delaney Complex showcases the collaborative efforts between state agencies and local communities in safeguarding water resources 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 Delaney Complex -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Assabet River At Maynard | 95 cfs | → |
| Nashoba Brook Near Acton | 7 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River Near Leominster | 149 cfs | → |
| Sudbury River At Saxonville | 112 cfs | → |
| Lake Cochituate Outlet At Framingham | 25 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Delaney Complex.
Boat launches
- Harvard Road 314, Stow
- Emerson Drive Littleton
- Seymour Street 1a, Concord
- Great Road 687, Littleton
- Bartlett Street 152, Northborough
- South Great Road Lincoln
Track Delaney Complex 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 Delaney Complex
Where does the data for Delaney Complex 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 Delaney Complex.