Hovey Pond Dam dam
Hovey Pond Dam
Hovey Pond Dam, located in Grafton, Massachusetts, is a state-regulated structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Completed in 1955, this earth dam serves primarily as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, providing essential habitat for local aquatic species. With a maximum storage capacity of 300 acre-feet and a normal storage of 100 acre-feet, the dam spans 600 feet in length and stands at a height of 23 feet, with a hydraulic height of 14 feet.
The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it has a hazard potential classified as high. Despite this, the condition assessment as of May 2018 was deemed satisfactory. The dam's risk assessment is moderate, and it undergoes inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The surrounding area covers a surface area of 22.6 acres, with a drainage area of 25.51 square miles, making it an important water resource for the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Hovey Pond Dam to be an intriguing structure due to its significant role in supporting fish and wildlife populations and providing recreational opportunities. Its location on the Quinsigamond River and its association with the New England District of the USACE add to its importance within the local ecosystem. As efforts continue to monitor and maintain the dam's safety, it remains a focal point for conservation and environmental stewardship in Worcester County, Massachusetts.
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 Hovey Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinsigamond River At North Grafton | 15 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River | 136 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Northbridge | 1,000 cfs | → |
| West River Below West Hill Dam | 1 cfs | → |
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 27 cfs | → |
| French River Below Dam | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hovey Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Oak Island Boat Ramp
- Brigham Hill Road Grafton
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Chauncy Street 19, Westborough
- Emerald Bracelet, Northborough
Campgrounds
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- Minha Casa
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- George Washington State Campground
- Grotonwood
- Pearl Hill Campground
Paddle runs
Track Hovey 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 Hovey Pond Dam
Where does the data for Hovey 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 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 Hovey Pond Dam.