Ironstone Reservoir Dam dam
Ironstone Reservoir Dam
Ironstone Reservoir Dam, located in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, is a gravity dam on Bacon Brook completed in 1928 with a primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 10.3 feet and with a storage capacity of 180 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 44 acres and has a drainage area of 2.7 square miles. It is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and is subject to state inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Despite its historical significance, Ironstone Reservoir Dam is currently assessed as being in poor condition with a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in May 2017 deemed it to be at risk, prompting the need for a risk assessment and potential risk management measures to be implemented. With a moderate risk rating of 3, there is a pressing need for the dam to be closely monitored and maintained to prevent any potential disasters that may arise from its deteriorating condition.
As a focal point for recreation in the area, the Ironstone Reservoir Dam holds both historical and environmental importance. Its upkeep and safety are critical not only for the preservation of its recreational value but also for the protection of the surrounding ecosystem and communities that could be affected by any failure. It is essential for water resource and climate enthusiasts to stay informed about the status of this dam and advocate for necessary measures to ensure its long-term sustainability.
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 Ironstone Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Branch River At Forestdale | 84 cfs | → |
| Nipmuc River Near Harrisville | 14 cfs | → |
| West River Below West Hill Dam | 1 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Woonsocket | 449 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Northbridge | 1,000 cfs | → |
| Peeptoad Brook At Elmdale Rd Nr North Scituate | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ironstone Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Wallum Lake Road 107, Douglas
- Pascoag Reservoir Fishing Access
- Farnum Pike 334, Smithfield
- Torrey Road 22, Sutton
- Smith
- Bowdish Reservoir
Campgrounds
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- George Washington State Campground
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- Minha Casa
- Camp Christina Entrance
Fishing spots
Track Ironstone Reservoir 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 Ironstone Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Ironstone Reservoir 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 Ironstone Reservoir Dam.