Mount Williams Reservoir Dam dam
Mount Williams Reservoir Dam
The Mount Williams Reservoir Dam, located in Berkshire, Massachusetts, is a key structure managed by the local government for water supply purposes. This earth dam, with a height of 40 feet and a hydraulic height of 36 feet, holds a maximum storage capacity of 879 acre-feet and normal storage of 668 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 49 acres and drains an area of 1.4 square miles, providing vital water resources for the surrounding area.
Despite its importance, the dam has been assessed to be in poor condition with a high hazard potential, indicating the need for immediate attention. The last inspection in August 2019 highlighted the structural concerns, prompting a moderate risk assessment (rating 3). With the Department of Conservation and Recreation as the state regulatory agency, ongoing maintenance and risk management measures are crucial to ensure the safety and reliability of this essential water infrastructure.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is vital to monitor the Mount Williams Reservoir Dam's condition closely and advocate for necessary improvements to mitigate potential risks and safeguard the local water supply. Collaboration with relevant agencies and stakeholders is essential in implementing effective risk management measures and ensuring the long-term resilience of this critical infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Mount Williams Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hoosic River Near Williamstown | 172 cfs | → |
| Green River At Williamstown | 69 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River At Adams | 65 cfs | → |
| East Branch Housatonic River At Coltsville | 52 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River At Charlemont | 289 cfs | → |
| Walloomsac River Near North Bennington | 158 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mount Williams Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Ashton Avenue North Adams
- Pine Ridge Drive 27, Pownal
- South Stream Access Area Road Pownal
- Hancock Road 48-94, Pittsfield
- Lakeway Drive 309-399, Pittsfield
- State Fishing Access North Bennington
Campgrounds
- Sherman Brook Campsite
- Historic Valley
- Stoney Ledge Group Site
- Spruce Group Site
- Balsam Group Site
- Birch Group Site
Track Mount Williams 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 Mount Williams Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Mount Williams 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 Mount Williams Reservoir Dam.