Hill Reservoir Dam dam
Hill Reservoir Dam
Hill Reservoir Dam is a critical structure located in Pelham, Massachusetts, serving as a key water supply source for the region. Built in 1934, this earth dam stands at a height of 41 feet, with a hydraulic height of 37.5 feet, and a length of 450 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 67 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 48 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 6.4 acres and draining a 4.1 square mile watershed area.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Hill Reservoir Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state authorities. Classified as having a significant hazard potential and assessed as being in fair condition as of September 2016, the dam poses a moderate risk level. Despite its age, the dam continues to meet water supply needs and mitigate flood risks along the Amethyst Brook, showcasing its importance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the Hampshire County area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Hill Reservoir Dam presents a fascinating case study of a historic structure that continues to play a vital role in sustaining the local ecosystem and communities. With its unique design features, storage capacity, and regulatory oversight, the dam exemplifies the intersection of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and public safety in ensuring a reliable water supply and managing the risks associated with potential dam failures. As climate change impacts intensify, understanding and maintaining structures like the Hill Reservoir Dam become increasingly crucial for building resilience and adapting to future water resource 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 Hill Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Swift River Near Shutesbury | 20 cfs | → |
| Swift River At West Ware | 44 cfs | → |
| East Branch Swift River Near Hardwick | 106 cfs | → |
| Mill River At Northampton | 45 cfs | → |
| Ware River At Gibbs Crossing | 367 cfs | → |
| Millers River At Erving | 955 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hill Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Kellogg Hill Road, Hatfield
- Dana Road, Petersham
- Mount Tom Road 900-978, Easthampton
- Regulating Dam Road, New Salem
- Walter Drive 2-98, Ware
- Red Bridge Road 16, Wilbraham
Campgrounds
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
- Westover Arb Military
- Erving State Forest
- Barton Cove
- Koa Weathampton
- Dar State Forest
Paddle runs
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
Track Hill Reservoir 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 Hill Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Hill Reservoir 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 Hill Reservoir Dam.