Plunkett Reservoir Dam dam
Plunkett Reservoir Dam
Plunkett Reservoir Dam, located in Hinsdale, Massachusetts, was completed in 1875 and stands at a height of 27 feet. This earth dam, primarily designed for recreation purposes, also serves as a water supply source. With a maximum storage capacity of 1386 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 1090 acre-feet, the dam impounds the waters of Frisell Brook over a surface area of 73 acres.
The dam's high hazard potential and fair condition assessment indicate the need for regular inspections and maintenance. The state-regulated structure is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and it is subject to permitting, inspection, and enforcement. While the risk assessment classifies the dam as moderate, measures for risk management and emergency action planning may need further development to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment in case of a potential breach.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the Plunkett Reservoir Dam can appreciate its historical significance, recreational value, and role in water supply. The dam's presence on Frisell Brook, its construction details, and regulatory oversight provide a rich context for understanding the intersection of human infrastructure and natural resources in Berkshire, Massachusetts. An appreciation for the balance between utilization and safeguarding of water resources can be gained through studying the operations and management of this critical dam structure.
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 Plunkett Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Housatonic River At Coltsville | 36 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River At Adams | 52 cfs | → |
| Westfield River At Knightville | 135 cfs | → |
| Middle B Westfield River At Goss Heights | 8 cfs | → |
| West Branch Westfield River At Huntington | 56 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Near Great Barrington | 234 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Plunkett Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- New Lenox Road 350, Lenox
- Hancock Road 48-94, Pittsfield
- Lakeway Drive 309-399, Pittsfield
- Laurel Street 515, Lee
- Beech Road, Richmond
- Highway 8 2301-2357, Becket
Campgrounds
- Crystal Mountain Campsite (& Privy)
- October Mountain State Forest
- Rocky Point
- Green Point
- Sites 11, 12, 13
- Pittsfield State Forest
Paddle runs
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut Border To Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- Woodford To Woodford Hollow
- First Bridge To Walloomsac Brook
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Plunkett 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 Plunkett Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Plunkett 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 High 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 Plunkett Reservoir Dam.