Mattapoisett River Dam dam
Mattapoisett River Dam
The Mattapoisett River Dam, located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, is a vital structure owned by the local government and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Completed in 1996, this earth dam serves the primary purpose of water supply along the Mattapoisett River, with a storage capacity of 35 acre-feet and a normal storage of 20 acre-feet. The dam has a significant hazard potential and is rated in fair condition, with a controlled spillway for managing water levels.
With a hydraulic height of 6 feet and a dam height of 10 feet, the Mattapoisett River Dam plays a crucial role in the water resource management of the region. It covers a surface area of 2.6 acres and has a drainage area of 24.2 square miles. Despite being a relatively small structure, it has a very high risk assessment rating, indicating the importance of proper maintenance and risk management measures in place. The dam is regularly inspected every five years to ensure its integrity and safety for the surrounding community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Mattapoisett River Dam offers a fascinating insight into the intersection of infrastructure, water supply management, and environmental conservation. As a key element in the local water supply system, this dam symbolizes the efforts made to balance human needs with ecological sustainability. Its presence highlights the interconnectedness of water resources, climate factors, and regulatory frameworks in ensuring the safety and reliability of our water infrastructure for future generations.
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 Mattapoisett River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Paskamanset River Near South Dartmouth | 10 cfs | → |
| Quashnet River At Waquoit Village | 17 cfs | → |
| Taunton River Near Bridgewater | 216 cfs | → |
| Segreganset River Near Dighton | 4 cfs | → |
| Threemile River At North Dighton | 76 cfs | → |
| Jones River At Kingston | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mattapoisett River Dam.
Track Mattapoisett River 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 Mattapoisett River Dam
Where does the data for Mattapoisett River 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 Mattapoisett River Dam.