Hayden Pond Dam dam
Hayden Pond Dam
Hayden Pond Dam, located in Otis, Massachusetts, is a private structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Completed in 1886, this masonry dam stands at a height of 13 feet and serves a primary purpose of recreation. With a storage capacity of 170 acre-feet and a surface area of 31.8 acres, the dam impounds the West Branch Farmington River, providing opportunities for water-based activities in the area.
Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, Hayden Pond Dam is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in August 2016. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type and has a drainage area of 14.4 square miles. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is subject to regular inspections every 5 years to ensure its safety and integrity. Although the dam has not undergone any modifications in recent years, it remains a key feature in the local landscape, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
Overall, Hayden Pond Dam stands as a historic and recreational landmark in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. As a vital structure for water management and conservation, it plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the West Branch Farmington River and providing a scenic backdrop for outdoor activities. With its unique design and age-old charm, Hayden Pond Dam continues to be a point of interest for those interested in water resources and climate resilience in the region.
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 Hayden Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Farmington River Near New Boston | 68 cfs | → |
| West Branch Westfield River At Huntington | 93 cfs | → |
| Middle B Westfield River At Goss Heights | 8 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Near Great Barrington | 335 cfs | → |
| Westfield River At Knightville | 228 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Great Barrington | 33 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hayden Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Highway 8 2301-2357, Becket
- Main Road, Tolland
- Laurel Street 515, Lee
- New Lenox Road 350, Lenox
- Wood Creek Pond Boat Launch
- Howells Pond
Campgrounds
- Green Point
- Rocky Point
- Shaker Camp
- Tolland State Forest
- Chester - Blanford State Forest
- Beartown State Forest
Fishing spots
- Great Brook Reservoir
- Lower Fulton Park Pond
- Lake Quassapaug
- Squantz Pond
- Papermill Pond
- Seymour Reservoir Number 4
Paddle runs
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut Border To Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut
- 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
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
Track Hayden 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 Hayden Pond Dam
Where does the data for Hayden 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 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 Hayden Pond Dam.