Lake Noquochoke Upper Dam dam
Lake Noquochoke Upper Dam
Lake Noquochoke Upper Dam, located in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, is a gravity dam on the Westport River primarily used for flood risk reduction. Built in 1942, this structure stands at a height of 8 feet and has a storage capacity of 630 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 450 acre-feet. The dam's drainage area is 20 square miles, and it serves as an essential component for water supply in the region.
Despite its importance, Lake Noquochoke Upper Dam has been assessed as being in poor condition as of the last inspection in 2011. The hazard potential is rated as low, but the risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts, and it undergoes regular state inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its integrity and safety. While it may have some deficiencies, the dam continues to play a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from flooding and maintaining water resources for the community.
Overall, Lake Noquochoke Upper Dam is a vital infrastructure for flood control and water supply management in Bristol County. Its historical significance and ongoing functionality contribute to the resilience of the region in the face of changing climate conditions. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the importance of maintaining and improving structures like this dam is essential for ensuring the sustainability and safety of our water systems in the future.
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 Lake Noquochoke Upper Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Paskamanset River Near South Dartmouth | 7 cfs | → |
| Segreganset River Near Dighton | 4 cfs | → |
| Threemile River At North Dighton | 63 cfs | → |
| Ten Mile River At Pawtucket Ave @ E Providence | 49 cfs | → |
| Taunton River Near Bridgewater | 184 cfs | → |
| Hunt River Near East Greenwich | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Noquochoke Upper Dam.
Track Lake Noquochoke Upper 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 Lake Noquochoke Upper Dam
Where does the data for Lake Noquochoke Upper 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 Lake Noquochoke Upper Dam.