Rivulet Village Pond Dam dam
Rivulet Village Pond Dam
Rivulet Village Pond Dam, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a privately owned masonry dam on the Taft Pond. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with additional benefits for recreation. This structure stands at a height of 15.5 feet, with a hydraulic height of 11.5 feet, and a length of 325 feet. It has a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 56 acres, serving a drainage area of 3.45 square miles.
The dam is regulated and permitted by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, with inspections conducted regularly to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, its condition is assessed as fair. The dam's emergency action plan is in place, meeting guidelines, and a risk assessment rates its risk as moderate. With its strategic location and engineering design, Rivulet Village Pond Dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the area while also providing opportunities for recreational activities.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the significance of Rivulet Village Pond Dam in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding communities from potential flooding events. Its presence along the Taft Pond not only helps in flood risk reduction but also adds to the recreational appeal of the area. As a privately owned structure with state oversight, it exemplifies the collaborative efforts between private owners and regulatory agencies to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources in the region. With its fair condition and regular inspections, the dam stands as a testament to effective risk management and emergency preparedness in the face of potential hazards.
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 Rivulet Village Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West River Below West Hill Dam | 1 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Northbridge | 1,000 cfs | → |
| Branch River At Forestdale | 60 cfs | → |
| Nipmuc River Near Harrisville | 12 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Woonsocket | 433 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River | 113 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rivulet Village Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Torrey Road 22, Sutton
- Wallum Lake Road 107, Douglas
- Brigham Hill Road Grafton
- West Main Street 209, Hopkinton
- Wood Street 291-299, Hopkinton
- Pascoag Reservoir Fishing Access
Campgrounds
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- George Washington State Campground
- Minha Casa
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- Ymca Camp
Paddle runs
Track Rivulet Village 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 Rivulet Village Pond Dam
Where does the data for Rivulet Village 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 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 Rivulet Village Pond Dam.