Sunset Lake Dam dam
Sunset Lake Dam
Sunset Lake Dam, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, serves as a vital structure for maintaining the COCASSET RIVER ecosystem and supporting local fish and wildlife populations. Managed by the State Department of Conservation and Recreation, the dam is primarily used for creating a Fish and Wildlife Pond, as well as providing recreational opportunities for the community. With a height of 9.5 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 98 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water levels and ensuring the sustainability of the surrounding environment.
Despite its significance, Sunset Lake Dam is currently facing challenges in terms of its condition assessment, which has been rated as "Poor". The dam has a significant hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to address any potential risks. The dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is also in need of updates to meet guidelines and ensure preparedness for any unforeseen events. Overall, while the dam's risk assessment is moderate, there is a need for proactive risk management measures to safeguard its structural integrity and the safety of the surrounding area.
In the face of these challenges, Sunset Lake Dam remains a critical infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience in the region. With its strategic location and vital role in supporting biodiversity and recreational activities, it is essential for stakeholders to work together to address the dam's current condition and implement necessary risk management measures to ensure its long-term sustainability and effectiveness.
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 Sunset Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Charles River At Medway | 74 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Norwood | 21 cfs | → |
| East Branch Neponset River At Canton | 25 cfs | → |
| Wading River Near Norton | 26 cfs | → |
| Neponset River At Greenlodge St Near Canton | 85 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Woonsocket | 441 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sunset Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Beach Street Sharon
- Norton Reservoir Launch
- Falls Pond
- Blue Trail Sherborn
- Bridge Street 1, Dover
- Lake Street Sherborn
Track Sunset Lake 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 Sunset Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sunset Lake 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 Sunset Lake Dam.