Whitin Reservoir Dam dam
Whitin Reservoir Dam
Whitin Reservoir Dam, located in Douglas, Massachusetts, was completed in 1854 and serves as a vital structure for recreation purposes along the Mumford River. With a height of 33 feet and a normal storage capacity of 3,200 acre-feet, the dam provides opportunities for water-based activities and enjoyment of the surrounding natural environment. Despite its historical significance, the dam is classified as having a high hazard potential, prompting regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Whitin Reservoir Dam is state-regulated and subject to inspection, enforcement, and permitting requirements. The dam's masonry construction, buttress core type, and uncontrolled spillway highlight its traditional design features. The dam poses a moderate risk level, as assessed in 2017, and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition. Emergency action plans, risk management measures, and inundation maps are essential components for ensuring public safety in the event of a potential breach or failure.
As a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Whitin Reservoir Dam represents a blend of historical significance and modern-day regulatory oversight. Its role in providing recreational opportunities, storing water, and managing the flow of the Mumford River underscores the importance of maintaining critical infrastructure in harmony with environmental considerations. With a commitment to ongoing risk assessment and management, the dam continues to serve as a valuable asset for the community while balancing the need for safety and sustainability 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 Whitin Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| French River At Webster | 7 cfs | → |
| French River Below Dam | 3 cfs | → |
| Nipmuc River Near Harrisville | 5 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Oxford | 4 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Northbridge | 1,000 cfs | → |
| West River Below West Hill Dam | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whitin Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Torrey Road 22, Sutton
- Wallum Lake Road 107, Douglas
- Oxford Road 195-253, Charlton
- South Street 178-198, Auburn
- Quaddick Reservoir
- Brigham Hill Road Grafton
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
- Brialee
Fishing spots
Track Whitin 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 Whitin Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Whitin 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 Whitin Reservoir Dam.