Thayer Pond Dam dam
Thayer Pond Dam
Thayer Pond Dam, located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, is a State-owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Built in 1930, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 3.16 feet and serves multiple purposes, with a primary function classified as 'Other'. The dam impounds Mill Brook, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 108.8 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 77.55 acre-feet.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the condition assessment of Thayer Pond Dam in 2009 was deemed unsatisfactory. With an inspection frequency of 10 years, the dam is monitored for safety but lacks a current Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and updated inundation maps. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, indicating a level 3 risk rating, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and potential risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding area in case of a breach or emergency situation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Thayer Pond Dam presents an intriguing case study of a historic dam with varying levels of risk and maintenance challenges. As a vital component of the local water infrastructure system, the dam's management and upkeep are crucial for both water supply and environmental protection. With its unique characteristics and regulatory oversight, Thayer Pond Dam serves as a focal point for discussions on dam safety, risk assessment, and emergency preparedness in the context of changing climate conditions.
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 Thayer Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ware River Near Barre | 91 cfs | → |
| Ware River At Intake Works Near Barre | 139 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 27 cfs | → |
| Sevenmile River Near Spencer | 16 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 22 cfs | → |
| East Branch Swift River Near Hardwick | 74 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thayer Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Overlook Drive 16-18, Spencer
- Hardwick Road, Hardwick
- Shore Road 83, North Brookfield
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
- Quaboag Street 131-199, Brookfield
Campgrounds
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
- Otter River State Forest
- Beaman Pond Campground
- East Dennison Camping Area
- Lake Dennison State Park
- North Dennison Camping Area
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Thayer 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 Thayer Pond Dam
Where does the data for Thayer 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 Thayer Pond Dam.