Scout Pond Dam dam
Scout Pond Dam
Scout Pond Dam, located in Hampshire, Massachusetts, is a privately-owned structure primarily used for recreational purposes since its completion in 1937. Standing at 15 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 12 feet, this earth dam on a tributary of Dead Branch Brook offers a serene surface area of 41 acres for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. With a normal storage capacity of 250 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 320 acre-feet, the dam provides ample opportunities for water-based activities in a picturesque setting.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Scout Pond Dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with no outlet gates or associated structures. The risk assessment for this dam is moderate, indicating some potential concerns that may require management measures in the future. The last inspection date was in August 2009, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 10 years to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure for both recreational users and the surrounding environment.
In the heart of Chesterfield, Scout Pond Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate considerations in the region. With its serene waters and surrounding natural beauty, this dam serves as a vital recreational asset while also being subject to state regulations and inspections to mitigate any potential risks. As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the area, they can appreciate the balance between human recreation and environmental stewardship that Scout Pond Dam represents in the picturesque landscape of Hampshire, Massachusetts.
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 Scout Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Westfield River At Knightville | 149 cfs | → |
| Mill River At Northampton | 37 cfs | → |
| Middle B Westfield River At Goss Heights | 8 cfs | → |
| West Branch Westfield River At Huntington | 61 cfs | → |
| South River Near Conway | 20 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River Near West Deerfield | 626 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scout Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Kellogg Hill Road, Hatfield
- Mount Tom Road 900-978, Easthampton
- Old Apremont Way, Westfield
- Highway 8 2301-2357, Becket
- Main Road, Tolland
- West Street 121, Springfield
Campgrounds
- Dar State Forest
- Koa Weathampton
- Chester - Blanford State Forest
- Windsor State Forest
- Rocky Point
- Green Point
Paddle runs
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut Border To Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut
Track Scout 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 Scout Pond Dam
Where does the data for Scout 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 Low 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 Scout Pond Dam.