Lynde Brook Reservoir Dike dam
Lynde Brook Reservoir Dike
The Lynde Brook Reservoir Dike is a crucial structure located in Leicester, Massachusetts, designed for water supply purposes. Completed in 1876, this Earth dam stands at a height of 17 feet and spans a length of 1100 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 2000 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 1200 acre-feet. The reservoir, situated along the Lynde Brook, covers a surface area of 130 acres and serves as a vital resource for the local community.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts, the Lynde Brook Reservoir Dike is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a fair condition assessment as of December 2017, the dam has a high hazard potential and a risk assessment rating of 2, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. Despite its age, the dam continues to fulfill its primary purpose of providing a reliable water supply to the area.
Overall, the Lynde Brook Reservoir Dike stands as a historic yet essential infrastructure supporting the water needs of Worcester County. With its solid construction and state-regulated oversight, this Earth dam plays a critical role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region. As a key component of the local water supply system, the dam's maintenance and monitoring remain paramount to ensure the safety and sustainability of this vital water resource.
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 Lynde Brook Reservoir Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sevenmile River Near Spencer | 16 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River | 136 cfs | → |
| Quinsigamond River At North Grafton | 15 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 27 cfs | → |
| French River Below Dam | 3 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Oxford | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lynde Brook Reservoir Dike.
Boat launches
- Overlook Drive 16-18, Spencer
- South Street 178-198, Auburn
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
- Oak Island Boat Ramp
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Shore Road 83, North Brookfield
Campgrounds
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- George Washington State Campground
- Minha Casa
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
- Otter River State Forest
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
Track Lynde Brook Reservoir 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 Lynde Brook Reservoir Dike
Where does the data for Lynde Brook Reservoir 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 Lynde Brook Reservoir Dike.