Notch Reservoir Dam dam
Notch Reservoir Dam
Notch Reservoir Dam, located in N. Adams, Massachusetts, is a vital infrastructure owned and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This earth dam, completed in 1897, stands at a height of 60 feet and serves the primary purpose of water supply. With a storage capacity of 285 acre-feet and a surface area of 12 acres, the dam controls Notch Brook's flow within a drainage area of 2.23 square miles.
Despite its historical significance, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor, with a high hazard potential. The last inspection in August 2019 revealed the need for improvement, highlighting the moderate risk associated with the structure. While the dam has an uncontrolled spillway and no outlet gates, its emergency action plan is not up to date, warranting attention to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam in case of emergencies. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, monitoring and implementing risk management measures for Notch Reservoir Dam are crucial to safeguarding water supply and the surrounding ecosystem.
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 Notch Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hoosic River Near Williamstown | 195 cfs | → |
| Green River At Williamstown | 76 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River At Adams | 69 cfs | → |
| East Branch Housatonic River At Coltsville | 60 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River At Charlemont | 294 cfs | → |
| Walloomsac River Near North Bennington | 181 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Notch 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
- Fairview Avenue 298, Wilmington
Campgrounds
- Historic Valley
- Sherman Brook Campsite
- Stoney Ledge Group Site
- Spruce Group Site
- Chimney Group Site
- Balsam Group Site
Track Notch 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 Notch Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Notch 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 Notch Reservoir Dam.