Massapoag Lake Dam dam
Massapoag Lake Dam
Massapoag Lake Dam is a vital structure located in Sharon, Massachusetts, serving as a key component in the water supply system for the area. This concrete dam, standing at a height of 7 feet with a hydraulic height of 3 feet, plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of Massapoag Brook. With a maximum storage capacity of 6530 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 5230 acre-feet, the dam ensures a steady water supply for the region.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts, the Massapoag Lake Dam is regularly inspected and regulated to maintain its structural integrity. Though it has a significant hazard potential, its condition has been assessed as satisfactory as of the last inspection in June 2014. The dam's risk assessment is moderate, with a risk management plan in place to address any potential issues that may arise.
With its strategic location and critical role in water resource management, Massapoag Lake Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable infrastructure in mitigating the impacts of climate change. As a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between water management, environmental conservation, and community resilience in the face of evolving climate patterns.
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 Massapoag Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Neponset River At Canton | 15 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Norwood | 10 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Greenlodge St Near Canton | 54 cfs | → |
| Mother Brook At Dedham | 40 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Dover | 138 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Medway | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Massapoag Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Beach Street Sharon
- Norton Reservoir Launch
- Ames Street Dedham
- Providence Highway 267, Dedham
- Town Street 128, Braintree
- Needham Street 511, Dedham
Track Massapoag Lake 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 Massapoag Lake Dam
Where does the data for Massapoag Lake 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 Massapoag Lake Dam.