Upper Highland Lake Dike dam
Upper Highland Lake Dike
Upper Highland Lake Dike, located in Goshen, Massachusetts, is a state-regulated structure owned and maintained by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Built in 1930, this earth dam serves the primary purpose of creating a fish and wildlife pond while also providing recreational opportunities. With a height of 15 feet and a storage capacity of 829 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
The dam's condition is assessed as satisfactory, with a significant hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The structure has a spillway type of None, indicating the need for careful monitoring of water levels during heavy rainfall events. Despite the high risk assessment, the dam has not experienced any modifications or emergency action plans prepared, raising concerns about its readiness for potential disasters.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts would be intrigued by the location of Upper Highland Lake Dike along Stones Brook, a tributary in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. The dam's presence not only supports local fish and wildlife populations but also offers a serene recreational space for visitors to enjoy. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the role of structures like Upper Highland Lake Dike becomes increasingly vital in ensuring the resilience of ecosystems and communities in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Upper Highland Lake Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South River Near Conway | 20 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River Near West Deerfield | 626 cfs | → |
| Mill River At Northampton | 37 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River At Charlemont | 304 cfs | → |
| Westfield River At Knightville | 149 cfs | → |
| North River At Shattuckville | 76 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Highland Lake Dike.
Boat launches
- Kellogg Hill Road, Hatfield
- Mount Tom Road 900-978, Easthampton
- Old Apremont Way, Westfield
- Highway 8 2301-2357, Becket
- Hancock Road 48-94, Pittsfield
- New Lenox Road 350, Lenox
Campgrounds
- Dar State Forest
- Windsor State Forest
- Koa Weathampton
- Mohawk Trail State Forest
- Chester - Blanford State Forest
- Barton Cove
Paddle runs
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- Woodford To Woodford Hollow
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- First Bridge To Walloomsac Brook
Track Upper Highland Lake Dike 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 Upper Highland Lake Dike
Where does the data for Upper Highland Lake Dike 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 Upper Highland Lake Dike.