Bickford Pond Dam dam
Bickford Pond Dam
Bickford Pond Dam, located in Hubbardston, Massachusetts, is a vital structure owned by the local government and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Completed in 1970, this earth dam serves the primary purpose of water supply, with a storage capacity of 3376 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 2555 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 50.5 feet and has a hydraulic height of 44 feet, providing critical water resources for the surrounding area.
With a high hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2017, Bickford Pond Dam plays a crucial role in managing the West Wachusett Brook watershed. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, the dam has not experienced any major modifications since its completion. The risk assessment for this dam is moderate, indicating the need for continued monitoring and risk management measures to ensure the safety and reliability of this important water supply infrastructure in Worcester County.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of dams like Bickford Pond Dam is essential for safeguarding water supplies and mitigating the impacts of climate change. By recognizing the importance of proper maintenance, inspection, and emergency preparedness for dams, we can work towards sustainable water resource management and resilience in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Bickford Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ware River Near Barre | 91 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 22 cfs | → |
| Otter River At Otter River | 105 cfs | → |
| Ware River At Intake Works Near Barre | 139 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 27 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River At Fitchburg | 101 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bickford Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Whalom Lake Public Boat Ramp
- River Road Royalston
- Overlook Drive 16-18, Spencer
- Hardwick Road, Hardwick
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
Campgrounds
- Otter River State Forest
- Beaman Pond Campground
- East Dennison Camping Area
- Lake Dennison State Park
- North Dennison Camping Area
- Damon Pond Campground
Paddle runs
Track Bickford 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 Bickford Pond Dam
Where does the data for Bickford 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 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 Bickford Pond Dam.