Diamond Pond Dam dam
Diamond Pond Dam
Diamond Pond Dam, located in Walpole, Massachusetts, is a privately owned earth dam that serves primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, with a height of 10 feet and a hydraulic height of 7.8 feet, impounds Diamond Brook and a brook from Clarks Pond to create a surface area of 9.2 acres and a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet. Despite its fair condition assessment in 2013, the dam poses a significant hazard potential and is classified as having a moderate risk level.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts, Diamond Pond Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state. Its uncontrolled spillway type and significant hazard potential highlight the importance of proper risk management and emergency preparedness measures. With a history of state jurisdiction and regulatory oversight, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining water resources and enhancing recreational opportunities in the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Diamond Pond Dam presents a case study in the intersection of recreational infrastructure and environmental conservation. As a privately owned structure with a state-regulated status, the dam's management and maintenance offer valuable insights into balancing human activities with the preservation of natural ecosystems. With its moderate risk level and fair condition, ongoing monitoring and risk management measures are essential to ensure the safety and sustainability of Diamond Pond Dam for future generations.
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 Diamond Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Neponset River At Norwood | 15 cfs | → |
| East Branch Neponset River At Canton | 19 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Greenlodge St Near Canton | 76 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Medway | 68 cfs | → |
| Charles River At Dover | 154 cfs | → |
| Mother Brook At Dedham | 48 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Diamond Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Beach Street Sharon
- Blue Trail Sherborn
- Bridge Street 1, Dover
- Ames Street Dedham
- Lake Street Sherborn
- Providence Highway 267, Dedham
Track Diamond 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 Diamond Pond Dam
Where does the data for Diamond 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 Significant 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 Diamond Pond Dam.