Wachusett Reservoir North Dike dam
Wachusett Reservoir North Dike
Wachusett Reservoir North Dike is a vital structure located in Clinton, Massachusetts, serving as a key component of the water supply system in the region. This earth dam, with a height of 85 feet and a length of 10500 feet, was completed in 1904 and has a storage capacity of 250,000 acre-feet. The reservoir, fed by the Nashua River, covers a surface area of 4160 acres and supports a drainage area of 121 square miles.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the dam is regulated by the state of Massachusetts and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the structure has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition. The North Dike plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating risks associated with flooding, highlighting its importance in maintaining the environmental and infrastructural resilience of the area.
With its significant storage capacity and strategic location, Wachusett Reservoir North Dike stands as a critical piece of infrastructure in safeguarding the water supply for the residents of Worcester County. Its role in water resource management, coupled with its historical significance and engineering prowess, makes it a fascinating site for climate and water enthusiasts to study and appreciate.
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 Wachusett Reservoir North Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 22 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 27 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River Near Leominster | 149 cfs | → |
| Quinsigamond River At North Grafton | 15 cfs | → |
| North Nashua River At Fitchburg | 101 cfs | → |
| Assabet River At Maynard | 95 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wachusett Reservoir North Dike.
Boat launches
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Bartlett Street 152, Northborough
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
- Emerald Bracelet, Northborough
- Chauncy Street 19, Westborough
- Harvard Road 314, Stow
Track Wachusett Reservoir North 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 Wachusett Reservoir North Dike
Where does the data for Wachusett Reservoir North 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 Wachusett Reservoir North Dike.