Tyler Dam dam
Tyler Dam
Tyler Dam, also known as Assabet River Dam, is a state-owned structure located in Hudson, Massachusetts. Built in 1980 by the USDA NRCS, the primary purpose of this earth dam is flood risk reduction. Standing at 34 feet high with a hydraulic height of 24 feet, Tyler Dam has a storage capacity of 5,500 acre-feet and serves multiple purposes including fish and wildlife pond maintenance and recreation for the local community.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Tyler Dam plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the Assabet River in Middlesex County. Despite being classified as a high hazard potential structure, the dam is currently in satisfactory condition and undergoes regular inspections every two years. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, the dam has emergency action plans in place, although they may need updating to meet current guidelines.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Tyler Dam presents an interesting case study in dam management and flood risk reduction. Its location in Marlborough, Massachusetts, along the Assabet River provides essential flood control measures while also supporting local wildlife and recreational activities. With its unique design and important role in the area, Tyler Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and the importance of maintaining infrastructure for the benefit of both people and the 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 Tyler Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinsigamond River At North Grafton | 15 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 22 cfs | → |
| Assabet River At Maynard | 95 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 27 cfs | → |
| Sudbury River At Saxonville | 112 cfs | → |
| Lake Cochituate Outlet At Framingham | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tyler Dam.
Boat launches
- Bartlett Street 152, Northborough
- Emerald Bracelet, Northborough
- Chauncy Street 19, Westborough
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Wood Street 291-299, Hopkinton
- Cedar Street 154-180, Hopkinton
Track Tyler 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 Tyler Dam
Where does the data for Tyler 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 High 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 Tyler Dam.