Ward Pond Dam dam
Ward Pond Dam
Ward Pond Dam in Athol, Massachusetts, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation. The dam is state-regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, with inspection and enforcement protocols in place. The masonry dam stands at a height of 4 feet with a hydraulic height of 3 feet, providing a storage capacity of 21 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 6 acres.
Despite its recreational purpose, Ward Pond Dam poses a significant hazard potential with a poor condition assessment. The last inspection in November 2017 revealed the dam's poor state, prompting a moderate risk assessment. While the dam has an outdated spillway type of "Uncontrolled," it has not been modified in recent years. The risk management measures for Ward Pond Dam are currently unspecified, leaving room for improvement in ensuring the safety and stability of this vital water resource.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Ward Pond Dam an intriguing case study for the delicate balance between recreational use and public safety. The dam's location in Worcester County, Massachusetts, highlights the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to mitigate potential hazards. With its historical significance as a recreational site, Ward Pond Dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in managing and preserving water resources 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 Ward Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Tully River Near Athol | 5 cfs | → |
| Millers River At South Royalston | 39 cfs | → |
| Birch Hill Reservoir At South Royalston | 30 cfs | → |
| West Branch Swift River Near Shutesbury | 15 cfs | → |
| Millers River At Erving | 415 cfs | → |
| Otter River At Otter River | 62 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ward Pond Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Main Street 2010, Athol
- North Orange Road 52-534, Athol
- Regulating Dam Road, New Salem
- Doane Hill Road Royalston
- River Road Royalston
- Dana Road, Petersham
⛺ Campgrounds
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
- Tully Lake
- Erving State Forest
- Beaman Pond Campground
- Otter River State Forest
- North Dennison Camping Area
🛶 Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Ward 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 Ward Pond Dam
Where does the data for Ward 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 Ward Pond Dam.