Abbey Lake Dam Dam
Abbey Lake Dam
Located in Sandisfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Abbey Lake Dam serves as a vital structure for flood risk reduction along the Buck River. Constructed in 1967 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 39.5 feet and has a hydraulic height of 32.5 feet. With a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, Abbey Lake Dam also supports fish and wildlife pond creation and recreational activities in the area.
With a normal storage capacity of 154 acre-feet and a total storage of 889 acre-feet, Abbey Lake Dam covers a surface area of 36 acres and drains an area of 1.8 square miles. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is currently in satisfactory condition as of its last inspection in June 2016. The Department of Conservation and Recreation oversees the regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement of this state-regulated dam, ensuring its safety and functionality for the surrounding community.
Abbey Lake Dam's design by the Natural Resources Conservation Service showcases a commitment to effective water resource management and climate resilience. As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like Abbey Lake Dam play a crucial role in mitigating flood risks and supporting the ecosystem. With a moderate risk assessment and a history of meeting guidelines, this dam stands as a testament to responsible infrastructure development in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Abbey Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Farmington River Near New Boston | 21 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Nr Ashley Falls | 208 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Near Great Barrington | 142 cfs | → |
| Hubbard River Nr. West Hartland | 2 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Great Barrington | 14 cfs | → |
| Still River At Robertsville | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Abbey Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Abbey Lake Dam
Where does the data for Abbey Lake 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 below 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.
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.