Weld Pond Dam dam
Weld Pond Dam
Weld Pond Dam, located in Dedham, Massachusetts, is a masonry dam built in 1900 with a primary purpose of recreation. With a height of 17 feet and a hydraulic height of 15 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 180 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.2 square miles. It is situated on a tributary of the Charles River and is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts.
Despite being categorized as a low hazard potential structure with a satisfactory condition assessment, Weld Pond Dam has a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway type and has not been inspected since June 2011, with an inspection frequency of 10 years. While the structure has not been modified in recent years, there is no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared for the dam, raising concerns about emergency preparedness and risk management measures.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Weld Pond Dam may find its historical significance and recreational value appealing. The dam provides opportunities for outdoor activities and scenic views, but its moderate risk assessment and lack of recent inspections highlight the importance of ensuring the safety and maintenance of this water infrastructure for the surrounding community and the environment.
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 Weld Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mother Brook At Dedham | 48 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Dover | 154 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Greenlodge St Near Canton | 76 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Wellesley | 99 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Norwood | 15 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Milton Village | 155 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Weld Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Ames Street Dedham
- Providence Highway 267, Dedham
- Needham Street 511, Dedham
- College Road Wellesley
- Bridge Street 1, Dover
- Blue Trail Sherborn
Track Weld 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 Weld Pond Dam
Where does the data for Weld 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 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 Weld Pond Dam.