Mason Road Dam dam
Mason Road Dam
Mason Road Dam, located in Townsend, Massachusetts, was completed in 1870 and stands as a testament to masonry craftsmanship. The dam, which serves as a structure on the SQUANNACOOK RIVER, has a height of 11 feet and a length of 150 feet, providing a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet. Despite its historical significance, the dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk of failure.
Owned privately, Mason Road Dam falls under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. The dam is state-regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced, ensuring compliance with safety standards and protocols. However, with the last inspection conducted in 2012, there is a need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to address the poor condition assessment and mitigate the moderate risk associated with the structure.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the unique design and historical background of Mason Road Dam make it a fascinating structure to study. Its location on the SQUANNACOOK RIVER and the potential impact of its condition on the surrounding area highlight the importance of proper maintenance and risk management measures. With a focus on enhancing safety and preserving this piece of history, efforts to improve the dam's condition and reduce its risk profile are essential for the long-term sustainability of the water resource infrastructure in the region.
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 Mason Road Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Squannacook River Near West Groton | 83 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River At Fitchburg | 101 cfs | → |
| Nashua River At East Pepperell | 531 cfs | → |
| Souhegan River (Site Wlr-1) Near Milford | 181 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River Near Leominster | 149 cfs | → |
| Otter River At Otter River | 105 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mason Road Dam.
Boat launches
- Whalom Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Melendy Pond Boat Launch
- Flints Pond Boat Launch
- Winchester Street Boat Launch
- Great Road 687, Littleton
- Naticook Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Pearl Hill Campground
- Damon Pond Campground
- Grotonwood
- Otter River State Forest
- Lake Dennison State Park
- East Dennison Camping Area
Paddle runs
Track Mason Road 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 Mason Road Dam
Where does the data for Mason Road 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 Mason Road Dam.