Ponkapoag Pond Dam dam
Ponkapoag Pond Dam
Ponkapoag Pond Dam, located in Canton, Massachusetts, is a state-regulated structure primarily serving the purpose of a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Completed in 2009, this Earth dam stands at a height of 7 feet with a hydraulic height of 4.1 feet and a length of 1300 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 1653 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 1126 acre-feet and a surface area of 285 acres.
This significant dam, with a hazard potential of "Significant" and a condition assessment of "Satisfactory", is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts. The dam's spillway type is controlled, and it has a drainage area of 1.6 square miles. The last inspection date was in June 2014, with an inspection frequency of 5 years. The risk assessment for Ponkapoag Pond Dam is categorized as "Very High (1)".
Water resource and climate enthusiasts would be fascinated by the intricate details of Ponkapoag Pond Dam, from its construction in 2009 to its capacity and risk assessment. This dam not only serves the purpose of a Fish and Wildlife Pond but also contributes to recreational activities. With its controlled spillway and significant hazard potential, the dam is closely monitored by the state regulatory agency to ensure public safety and environmental protection. The data provides a comprehensive overview of this essential structure, highlighting its importance in water resource management in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
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 Ponkapoag Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Neponset River At Greenlodge St Near Canton | 76 cfs | → |
| East Branch Neponset River At Canton | 19 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Norwood | 15 cfs | → |
| Mother Brook At Dedham | 48 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Milton Village | 155 cfs | → |
| Old Swamp River Near South Weymouth | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ponkapoag Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Town Street 128, Braintree
- Ames Street Dedham
- Providence Highway 267, Dedham
- Beach Street Sharon
- Randolph Street 315, Weymouth
- Needham Street 511, Dedham
Track Ponkapoag 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 Ponkapoag Pond Dam
Where does the data for Ponkapoag 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 Ponkapoag Pond Dam.