Heald Pond Dam dam
Heald Pond Dam
Heald Pond Dam in Pepperell, Massachusetts, is a local government-owned structure that serves as a recreational area along Gulf Brook. Built in 1900, this gravity dam stands at a height of 7.9 feet and has a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet. With a normal storage level of 85%, the dam covers a surface area of 28 acres and has a drainage area of 0.06 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is listed as poor, indicating a need for maintenance and repairs. The last inspection in December 2016 revealed areas of concern, prompting a moderate risk assessment. With state regulation and enforcement in place, the Department of Conservation and Recreation oversees the dam's permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes to ensure public safety and environmental protection. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed about the condition and management of Heald Pond Dam is crucial for the sustainable use of this recreational resource.
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 Heald Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Squannacook River Near West Groton | 83 cfs | → |
| Nashua River At East Pepperell | 531 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River At Fitchburg | 101 cfs | → |
| Souhegan River (Site Wlr-1) Near Milford | 181 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River Near Leominster | 149 cfs | → |
| Souhegan River At Merrimack | 256 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Heald Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Flints Pond Boat Launch
- Melendy Pond Boat Launch
- Winchester Street Boat Launch
- Whalom Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Great Road 687, Littleton
- Flint Pond Road, Tyngsborough
Campgrounds
- Pearl Hill Campground
- Grotonwood
- Damon Pond Campground
- Windham Town Forest Tent Platforms
- Otter River State Forest
- Beaman Pond Campground
Paddle runs
Track Heald 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 Heald Pond Dam
Where does the data for Heald 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 Heald Pond Dam.