North Reservoir Dam dam
North Reservoir Dam
The North Reservoir Dam, located in Winchester, Massachusetts, was completed in 1874 and serves as a crucial water supply structure in the region. Managed by the local government and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 25.3 feet and has a storage capacity of 893 acre-feet. The dam impounds water from Sawmill Brook, providing a surface area of 0.09 square miles and serving a drainage area of 0.59 square miles.
Despite its importance for water supply, the North Reservoir Dam poses a high hazard potential with a poor condition assessment. The dam has a controlled spillway type and a history of poor maintenance, raising concerns for its structural integrity and safety. With a very high risk rating, the dam requires immediate attention and risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the water supply it protects. Emergency action plans and regular inspections are essential for mitigating potential risks associated with this critical infrastructure.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like the North Reservoir Dam become increasingly vital. With a high hazard potential and a very high risk rating, the dam highlights the need for proactive management and investment in infrastructure resilience. By prioritizing safety measures and regular maintenance, stakeholders can work towards safeguarding water resources and enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure in the face of a changing climate.
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 North Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Aberjona River At Winchester | 8 cfs | → |
| Saugus R At Saugus Iron Works At Saugus | 6 cfs | → |
| Shawsheen River At Hanscom Field Near Bedford | 7 cfs | → |
| Hobbs Brook At Mill St Nr Lincoln | 0 cfs | → |
| Ipswich River At South Middleton | 19 cfs | → |
| Shawsheen River Near Wilmington | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Pond Lane Arlington
- Harbor Walk Charlestown
- Terminal Street Charlestown
- Reid Rotary Cambridgeport
- Blossom Street Extension 398, Lynn
- Charles River Greenway Waltham
Track North 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 North Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for North 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 North Reservoir Dam.