Overlook Reservoir Dike dam
Overlook Reservoir Dike
Overlook Reservoir Dike in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, is a critical structure managed by the local government for water supply purposes. Built in 1872, this concrete dam stands at a height of 22 feet, with a hydraulic height of 16 feet, and a length of 875 feet. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 146 acre-feet and serves as a tributary of the North Nashua River.
Despite being in fair condition as of the last assessment in 2015, the dam has a high hazard potential. It is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts and undergoes regular inspections, with a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam has a spillway type of uncontrolled with no outlet gates or locks and is located within Worcester County.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Overlook Reservoir Dike an essential infrastructure contributing to the water supply system in the region. Its historical significance, high hazard potential, and moderate risk assessment make it a key structure for conservation and management by the local government to ensure public safety and water resource sustainability.
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 Overlook Reservoir Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Nashua River At Fitchburg | 101 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River Near Leominster | 149 cfs | → |
| Squannacook River Near West Groton | 83 cfs | → |
| Otter River At Otter River | 105 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 22 cfs | → |
| Nashua River At East Pepperell | 531 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Overlook Reservoir Dike.
Boat launches
- Whalom Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Melendy Pond Boat Launch
- Grassy Pond Boat Launch
- River Road Royalston
- Great Road 687, Littleton
- Pool Pond Boat Launch
Track Overlook Reservoir Dike 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 Overlook Reservoir Dike
Where does the data for Overlook Reservoir Dike 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 Overlook Reservoir Dike.