Mahoney Pond Dam dam
Mahoney Pond Dam
Mahoney Pond Dam, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a local government-owned structure that plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. Situated on the Mahoney Brook, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 10 feet and has a length of 150 feet, with a storage capacity of 13 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
With a significant hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, Mahoney Pond Dam poses a moderate risk that is closely monitored by authorities. The dam has not been modified in recent years and has a spillway type of uncontrolled, indicating the need for constant vigilance and maintenance. The last inspection was conducted in October 2011, with an inspection frequency of 5 years, highlighting the importance of regular assessments to ensure the safety and functionality of the structure.
Overall, Mahoney Pond Dam serves as a vital component of the local water infrastructure, providing storage and regulation for the Mahoney Brook. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the proper management and maintenance of dams like Mahoney Pond Dam become increasingly essential for mitigating risks and ensuring the resilience of the region's water supply in the face of changing environmental 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 Mahoney Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter River At Otter River | 97 cfs | → |
| Birch Hill Reservoir At South Royalston | 30 cfs | → |
| Ware River Near Barre | 105 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River At Fitchburg | 111 cfs | → |
| Millers River At South Royalston | 39 cfs | → |
| Millers River Near Winchendon | 173 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mahoney Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- River Road Royalston
- Whalom Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Doane Hill Road Royalston
- Main Street 2010, Athol
- North Orange Road 52-534, Athol
- Grassy Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Otter River State Forest
- Beaman Pond Campground
- East Dennison Camping Area
- Lake Dennison State Park
- North Dennison Camping Area
- Damon Pond Campground
Track Mahoney 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 Mahoney Pond Dam
Where does the data for Mahoney 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 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 Mahoney Pond Dam.