Papoose Lake Upper Dam dam
Papoose Lake Upper Dam
Papoose Lake Upper Dam, located in Heath, Massachusetts, is a concrete structure with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and has a significant hazard potential with a poor condition assessment. The dam has a height of 10 feet and a hydraulic height of 7 feet, with a storage capacity of 92 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.6 square miles.
The dam, situated on Davenport Brook, has a maximum storage capacity of 92 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. With a surface area of 14 acres, the dam serves as a popular recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam has not been modified in recent years and is in need of maintenance to ensure its safety and effectiveness in managing water resources in the area.
Although the dam has a significant hazard potential and a poor condition assessment, it remains a vital structure for recreational activities in the area. With its unique design and location in the picturesque landscape of Heath, Massachusetts, Papoose Lake Upper Dam continues to be a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to enjoy the natural beauty of the region while being mindful of the dam's importance in managing water resources.
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 Papoose Lake Upper Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North River At Shattuckville | 95 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River At Charlemont | 266 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Colrain | 56 cfs | → |
| South River Near Conway | 23 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River Near West Deerfield | 1,450 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Montague City | 35,700 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Papoose Lake Upper Dam.
Boat launches
- Fairview Avenue 298, Wilmington
- Lake Raponda Road Wilmington
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Ashton Avenue North Adams
- South Stream Access Area Road Pownal
Campgrounds
- Mohawk Trail State Forest
- Molly Stark State Park
- Molly Stark State Park Campsites
- Windsor State Forest
- Savoy Mountain State Forest
- Barton Cove
Track Papoose Lake Upper 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 Papoose Lake Upper Dam
Where does the data for Papoose Lake Upper 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 Papoose Lake Upper Dam.