Chaffin Pond Dam dam
Chaffin Pond Dam
Chaffin Pond Dam, located in Holden, Massachusetts, serves as a critical water supply source and was completed in 1894. The dam is classified as an earth dam with a height of 10 feet and a hydraulic height of 4 feet. It is situated along the Poor Farm Brook and has a drainage area of 4.4 square miles. The dam has a storage capacity of 920 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 170 acre-feet.
Despite its historical significance, Chaffin Pond Dam is currently rated as having a poor condition assessment and a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in November 2017 revealed the need for improvements and increased maintenance due to its aging infrastructure. The dam lacks a spillway and emergency action plan, raising concerns about its ability to withstand potential risks and effectively manage water flow during emergencies.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to monitor the status of Chaffin Pond Dam and advocate for necessary repairs and enhancements to ensure its continued safety and functionality. With the support of regulatory agencies such as the Department of Conservation and Recreation, efforts can be made to address the dam's deficiencies and mitigate potential risks associated with its operation. By prioritizing the maintenance and upkeep of this vital water supply infrastructure, we can safeguard the surrounding community and environment from the impacts of dam failure.
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 Chaffin Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 25 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 16 cfs | → |
| Quinsigamond River At North Grafton | 15 cfs | → |
| Sevenmile River Near Spencer | 15 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River | 113 cfs | → |
| Ware River Near Barre | 79 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chaffin Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
- Overlook Drive 16-18, Spencer
- Oak Island Boat Ramp
- South Street 178-198, Auburn
- Brigham Hill Road Grafton
Campgrounds
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- Pearl Hill Campground
- Minha Casa
- Damon Pond Campground
- Otter River State Forest
- Beaman Pond Campground
Track Chaffin 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 Chaffin Pond Dam
Where does the data for Chaffin 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 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 Chaffin Pond Dam.