West Hill Dam dam
West Hill Dam
West Hill Dam, also known as the Dry Reservoir, is a gravity dam located in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, along the West River. Built in 1961 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam stands at a height of 48 feet and has a storage capacity of 29,500 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with recreational opportunities also available at the site.
The dam's hazard potential is classified as high, and it is regularly inspected and maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers to manage flood risks effectively. The agency works closely with local emergency managers to develop emergency action plans and raise awareness about the dam's function and potential risks. The dam has a spillway width of 50 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 8,900 cubic feet per second, enabling it to release water as needed to prevent structural issues or manage water levels in the surrounding area.
West Hill Dam serves as a crucial infrastructure for flood control in the region, with the US Army Corps of Engineers implementing risk management measures to ensure its safe operation and minimize potential hazards. The agency continually monitors the dam's condition, engages with the community on emergency preparedness, and conducts regular maintenance to uphold the dam's structural integrity. As an integral part of the flood risk reduction system, West Hill Dam plays a vital role in protecting the local area from potential flooding events.
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 West Hill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West River Below West Hill Dam | 1 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Northbridge | 1,000 cfs | → |
| Branch River At Forestdale | 60 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Woonsocket | 433 cfs | → |
| Nipmuc River Near Harrisville | 12 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River | 113 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Hill Dam.
Boat launches
- West Main Street 209, Hopkinton
- Torrey Road 22, Sutton
- Brigham Hill Road Grafton
- Wood Street 291-299, Hopkinton
- Wallum Lake Road 107, Douglas
- Cedar Street 154-180, Hopkinton
Track West Hill 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 West Hill Dam
Where does the data for West Hill 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 West Hill Dam.