Northborough Reservoir Dam dam
Northborough Reservoir Dam
Northborough Reservoir Dam, located in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, serves as a critical water supply source for the region. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a capacity to store up to 80 acre-feet of water. The dam, built on Rawson Hill Brook, plays a vital role in sustaining the local ecosystem and providing water for various purposes.
Despite its importance, the Northborough Reservoir Dam poses significant hazard potential and is currently assessed as being in poor condition. With a moderate risk rating, there is a pressing need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety and functionality of the dam. Its spillway type is uncontrolled, and the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status is not available, indicating a potential area of improvement in emergency preparedness.
Climate and water resource enthusiasts should take note of the Northborough Reservoir Dam, as it not only plays a crucial role in water supply but also presents challenges in terms of safety and risk management. With ongoing assessments and inspections, efforts are being made to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the long-term sustainability of this important infrastructure in Worcester, Massachusetts.
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 Northborough Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinsigamond River At North Grafton | 12 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 21 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 28 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River | 91 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River Near Leominster | 167 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Northbridge | 1,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Northborough Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Bartlett Street 152, Northborough
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
- Emerald Bracelet, Northborough
- Chauncy Street 19, Westborough
- Oak Island Boat Ramp
Track Northborough Reservoir 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 Northborough Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Northborough Reservoir 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 Northborough Reservoir Dam.