Lost Lake Dam dam
Lost Lake Dam
Lost Lake Dam in Groton, Massachusetts, stands as a concrete gravity dam with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1910, the dam has a height of 10 feet and a hydraulic height of 8 feet, providing a storage capacity of 1,960 acre-feet. The dam, located on Martin's Pond Brook, serves as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to enjoy the surrounding surface area of 300 acres for recreational activities.
Maintained by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the dam is regulated by the state of Massachusetts, with inspections occurring every two years. Despite being categorized as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition is currently assessed as satisfactory. In case of emergencies, the dam has an Emergency Action Plan in place, last revised in August 2016. With its controlled spillway and very high risk assessment rating, the Lost Lake Dam presents a crucial infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
Lost Lake Dam not only serves as a recreational hub but also plays a key role in water storage and management in Middlesex County. With its historical significance dating back over a century, the dam continues to be a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts. As efforts to enhance risk management measures and emergency preparedness are ongoing, the Lost Lake Dam remains a vital asset for the community, highlighting the intersection of conservation, recreation, and 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 Lost Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nashua River At East Pepperell | 531 cfs | → |
| Squannacook River Near West Groton | 83 cfs | → |
| Nashoba Brook Near Acton | 7 cfs | → |
| Concord R Below R Meadow Brook | 311 cfs | → |
| Merrimack River Bl Concord River At Lowell | 11,800 cfs | → |
| Assabet River At Maynard | 95 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lost Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Great Road 687, Littleton
- Emerson Drive Littleton
- Flint Pond Road, Tyngsborough
- Pawtucket Boulevard 936-970, Lowell
- Willowdale Avenue 1-53, Dracut
- Winchester Street Boat Launch
Track Lost 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 Lost Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lost 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 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 Lost Lake Dam.