Riceville Pond Dam dam
Riceville Pond Dam
Riceville Pond Dam, located in Athol, Massachusetts, is a state-regulated structure under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Built in 1950, this earth dam stands at a height of 13 feet with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, providing essential habitat for aquatic life and recreational opportunities for visitors. The dam boasts a storage capacity of 1,450 acre-feet, with a surface area of 62.2 acres and a drainage area of 5.69 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam has not been inspected since December 2010, raising concerns about its structural integrity and readiness to handle potential risks. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, there is a need for updated emergency action plans and risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment. As a vital part of the local ecosystem, the proper maintenance and monitoring of Riceville Pond Dam are crucial for maintaining water resources and mitigating the impacts of climate change on the area.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience should pay attention to the management and upkeep of Riceville Pond Dam to safeguard its ecological functions and protect the surrounding area from potential hazards. By staying informed about the dam's condition, inspection schedule, and emergency response plans, individuals can contribute to the preservation of this important infrastructure and promote sustainable practices for water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Riceville Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Tully River Near Athol | 5 cfs | → |
| Millers River At South Royalston | 39 cfs | → |
| Birch Hill Reservoir At South Royalston | 30 cfs | → |
| East Branch Swift River Near Hardwick | 85 cfs | → |
| West Branch Swift River Near Shutesbury | 18 cfs | → |
| Otter River At Otter River | 97 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Riceville Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Regulating Dam Road, New Salem
- Main Street 2010, Athol
- North Orange Road 52-534, Athol
- Doane Hill Road Royalston
- River Road Royalston
- Dana Road, Petersham
Campgrounds
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
- Tully Lake
- Beaman Pond Campground
- Otter River State Forest
- North Dennison Camping Area
- East Dennison Camping Area
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
Track Riceville 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 Riceville Pond Dam
Where does the data for Riceville 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 Low 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 Riceville Pond Dam.