South Reservoir East Dike dam
South Reservoir East Dike
South Reservoir East Dike, located in Medford, Massachusetts, was completed in 1882 and serves as an essential water supply structure for the region. The dam is classified as an Earth type with a height of 15 feet and a hydraulic height of 12.4 feet, storing a maximum of 1212 acre-feet of water. Despite its age, the dam is in satisfactory condition and has a high hazard potential, prompting regular inspections and a risk assessment rating of 2.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, South Reservoir East Dike is regulated by the state of Massachusetts and undergoes regular permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes to ensure its safety and functionality. With a surface area of 72 acres and a drainage area of 0.78 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the water supply for the surrounding communities. The high risk associated with the dam emphasizes the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards.
In the event of an emergency, the dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is periodically reviewed and updated to meet safety guidelines. With a high hazard potential, the EAP is crucial in outlining emergency procedures and contacts to protect downstream areas in case of a breach. Despite the risks involved, South Reservoir East Dike stands as a vital infrastructure for water resource management in the region, highlighting the intersection of water supply, climate resilience, and dam safety in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 South Reservoir East Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Aberjona River At Winchester | 8 cfs | → |
| Saugus R At Saugus Iron Works At Saugus | 6 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Waltham | 112 cfs | → |
| Hobbs Brook At Mill St Nr Lincoln | 0 cfs | → |
| Shawsheen River At Hanscom Field Near Bedford | 7 cfs | → |
| Hobbs Bk Below Cambridge Res Nr Kendall Green | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Reservoir East Dike.
Boat launches
- Pond Lane Arlington
- Harbor Walk Charlestown
- Terminal Street Charlestown
- Reid Rotary Cambridgeport
- Charles River Greenway Waltham
- Blossom Street Extension 398, Lynn
Track South Reservoir East Dike 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 South Reservoir East Dike
Where does the data for South Reservoir East Dike 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 South Reservoir East Dike.