Otter River Dam dam
Otter River Dam
Located in Templeton, Massachusetts, the Otter River Dam is a privately owned structure that serves as a vital water supply source in Worcester County. Completed in 1900, this earth dam stands at 10 feet high and spans 200 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensuring that it meets state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements.
The primary purpose of the Otter River Dam is to provide water supply, with a normal storage capacity of 25 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is in poor condition, as assessed in 2009. It is classified as having a moderate risk level, indicating potential concerns that need to be addressed. With its location on the Otter River, this structure plays a crucial role in managing water resources and maintaining the ecological balance in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Otter River Dam presents an opportunity to study the intersection of infrastructure, water management, and environmental conservation. As efforts are made to improve the condition of the dam and address any potential risks, there is a chance to explore innovative solutions for sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns. The presence of the dam highlights the importance of proactive maintenance and monitoring to ensure the continued functionality and safety of critical water supply infrastructure.
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 Otter River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter River At Otter River | 97 cfs | → |
| Birch Hill Reservoir At South Royalston | 30 cfs | → |
| Millers River At South Royalston | 39 cfs | → |
| Millers River Near Winchendon | 173 cfs | → |
| Priest Brook Near Winchendon | 38 cfs | → |
| East Branch Tully River Near Athol | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Otter River Dam.
Boat launches
- River Road Royalston
- Doane Hill Road Royalston
- Main Street 2010, Athol
- North Orange Road 52-534, Athol
- Laurel Lake Boat Launch
- Pool Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Otter River State Forest
- Beaman Pond Campground
- East Dennison Camping Area
- Lake Dennison State Park
- North Dennison Camping Area
- Tully Lake
Paddle runs
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
Track Otter River 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 Otter River Dam
Where does the data for Otter River 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 Otter River Dam.