Brookline Reservoir Dam dam
Brookline Reservoir Dam
Brookline Reservoir Dam, located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, was completed in 1848 and serves as a vital water resource for the community. This local government-owned dam stands at a height of 19.2 feet and has a normal storage capacity of 200 acre-feet, providing essential water supply and recreational opportunities in the area. The dam is under state regulation by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement to maintain its structural integrity and safety.
With a high hazard potential due to its location and design, Brookline Reservoir Dam has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, with a moderate risk level. In case of emergencies, the dam is equipped with an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to guide response and mitigate risks. Despite its age, the dam continues to play a crucial role in water management and flood control within the region, reflecting the importance of maintaining and monitoring critical infrastructure for the resilience of water resources and climate adaptation. Climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates can appreciate the significance of Brookline Reservoir Dam in safeguarding both natural ecosystems and human communities against potential water-related 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 Brookline Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Charles River At Wellesley | 99 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Milton Village | 155 cfs | → |
| Mother Brook At Dedham | 48 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Waltham | 112 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook Reservoir At Dam Near Waltham | 0 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook At Rt 20 At Waltham | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brookline Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Reid Rotary Cambridgeport
- Needham Street 511, Dedham
- Harbor Walk Charlestown
- Terminal Street Charlestown
- Providence Highway 267, Dedham
- Ames Street Dedham
Track Brookline 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 Brookline Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Brookline 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 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 Brookline Reservoir Dam.