Indian Lake Dam dam
Indian Lake Dam
Indian Lake Dam, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a concrete structure completed in 1920 with a primary purpose of "Other." The dam, standing at 17 feet high with a hydraulic height of 12 feet, holds a storage capacity of 2400 acre-feet and serves the purpose of regulating the flow of the tributary of Weasel Brook. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
With a spillway type of "Uncontrolled," Indian Lake Dam has a significant hazard potential and is categorized as being in fair condition as of the last assessment in January 2017. The dam has a drainage area of 5.64 square miles and a surface area of 233 acres, making it a crucial water resource for the region. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, and it is important for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor its condition and management measures to prevent any potential emergencies.
In the event of an emergency, it is essential for the dam to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place to meet guidelines and ensure the safety of surrounding communities. With a risk management plan yet to be defined and updated, the stakeholders and authorities need to prioritize the preparation of inundation maps and coordination of emergency contacts to mitigate any risks associated with the dam. Regular monitoring and maintenance of Indian Lake Dam are vital to safeguarding both the water resources and the local ecosystem that depend on its proper functioning.
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 Indian Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 27 cfs | → |
| Quinsigamond River At North Grafton | 15 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 22 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River | 136 cfs | → |
| Sevenmile River Near Spencer | 16 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Northbridge | 1,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Indian Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Oak Island Boat Ramp
- Overlook Drive 16-18, Spencer
- Brigham Hill Road Grafton
- South Street 178-198, Auburn
Campgrounds
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- Minha Casa
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- Pearl Hill Campground
- Grotonwood
- Damon Pond Campground
Track Indian Lake 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 Indian Lake Dam
Where does the data for Indian Lake 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 Indian Lake Dam.