Otis Reservoir Dam dam
Otis Reservoir Dam
The Otis Reservoir Dam in Massachusetts, completed in 2012, stands at a height of 31.5 feet and serves as a vital structure for managing water resources in the region. The dam, primarily designated for Fish and Wildlife Pond purposes, has a normal storage capacity of 22,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,000 acres. The reservoir provides recreational opportunities while also supporting the local ecosystem by serving as a habitat for various fish and wildlife species.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Otis Reservoir Dam is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a high hazard potential due to its proximity to the Fall River, the dam is classified as having a satisfactory condition assessment. Emergency action plans are in place to mitigate risks in case of any unforeseen events, with the last plan revision dated back to 2013. The dam's risk assessment is moderate, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and management measures.
Located in Berkshire, Massachusetts, the Otis Reservoir Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region. With its masonry construction and uncontrolled spillway type, the dam not only helps regulate water flow but also contributes to the overall environmental health of the area. As a state-regulated structure, the dam's operations are closely monitored to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the preservation of the reservoir's ecological balance.
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 Otis Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Farmington River Near New Boston | 59 cfs | → |
| West Branch Westfield River At Huntington | 79 cfs | → |
| Hubbard River Nr. West Hartland | 14 cfs | → |
| Middle B Westfield River At Goss Heights | 8 cfs | → |
| Still River At Robertsville | 72 cfs | → |
| Westfield River At Knightville | 185 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Otis Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Main Road, Tolland
- Highway 8 2301-2357, Becket
- Howells Pond
- Wood Creek Pond Boat Launch
- Laurel Street 515, Lee
- Highland Lake
Campgrounds
- Tolland State Forest
- Granville State Forest
- Chester - Blanford State Forest
- Green Point
- Rocky Point
- Shaker Camp
Fishing spots
- Great Brook Reservoir
- Lower Fulton Park Pond
- Lake Quassapaug
- Papermill Pond
- Seymour Reservoir Number 4
- Squantz Pond
Paddle runs
- 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
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut Border To Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
Track Otis 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 Otis Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Otis 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 Otis Reservoir Dam.