Burncoat Pond Dam dam
Burncoat Pond Dam
Located in Leicester, Massachusetts, Burncoat Pond Dam is a masonry dam on Burncoat Brook primarily used for recreation. With a height of 14 feet and a hydraulic height of 11 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 800 acre-feet and a surface area of 115 acres. Despite its fair condition assessment in 2012, the dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts, Burncoat Pond Dam is state-regulated and inspected to ensure compliance with safety standards. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, its uncontrolled spillway and buttress core type pose potential risks that necessitate a moderate risk assessment. The presence of James P. McGovern (D) as the congressional representative for the area further underscores the importance of maintaining the dam's structural integrity for both recreational and environmental purposes.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will be intrigued by the intricate details of Burncoat Pond Dam, from its unique design features to its location within the Worcester County landscape. As a vital structure for water storage and recreational activities, the dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human intervention and natural ecosystems. With a focus on safety and risk management, Burncoat Pond Dam symbolizes the ongoing efforts to protect water resources while promoting sustainable use for future generations.
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 Burncoat Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sevenmile River Near Spencer | 15 cfs | → |
| French River Below Dam | 3 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Oxford | 4 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River | 113 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 25 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug R Bl Westville Dam Nr Southbridge | 142 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Burncoat Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Overlook Drive 16-18, Spencer
- Shore Road 83, North Brookfield
- Quaboag Street 131-199, Brookfield
- South Street 178-198, Auburn
- South Pond Road 143, Brookfield
- Oxford Road 195-253, Charlton
Campgrounds
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
- George Washington State Campground
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- Brialee
- Wilderness Lake Campground
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Burncoat 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 Burncoat Pond Dam
Where does the data for Burncoat 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 Burncoat Pond Dam.