Prospect Lake Dam Dam
Prospect Lake Dam
Prospect Lake Dam, located in Egremont, Massachusetts, is a private structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The dam, primarily used for recreation, stands at a height of 6 feet and has a hydraulic height of 4 feet. It holds a storage capacity of 437 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 350 acre-feet and a surface area of 57 acres. The dam is classified as a concrete gravity structure with a buttress core type, serving as a barrier for two unnamed perennial streams.
Despite its recreational purpose, Prospect Lake Dam is considered to have a significant hazard potential and has been assessed to be in poor condition as of October 2015. The dam, with a spillway type of uncontrolled, has not undergone any modifications in recent years and lacks emergency action plans. The inspection frequency for the dam is every 5 years, and it is located within the New England District of the US Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction. With a moderate risk rating, the dam's risk management measures and risk characterization summary are currently unspecified. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Prospect Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and maintenance.
As discussions around climate change and water resource sustainability continue to grow, the condition and management of dams like Prospect Lake Dam are becoming increasingly important. The significance of maintaining infrastructure like this in good condition, with proper risk assessment and management measures in place, underscores the need for proactive approaches to safeguarding our water resources in the face of a changing climate.
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 Prospect Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Green River Near Great Barrington | 14 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Near Great Barrington | 142 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Nr Ashley Falls | 208 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River At Falls Village | 255 cfs | → |
| Kinderhook Creek At Rossman Ny | 93 cfs | → |
| Salmon Creek At Lime Rock | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Prospect Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Prospect Lake Dam
Where does the data for Prospect 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 below 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.
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.