Deerfield No. 4 dam
Deerfield No. 4
Deerfield No. 4, a hydroelectric dam located on the beautiful Deerfield River in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, has been serving both energy production and recreational purposes since its completion in 1912. With a dam height of 48 feet and a storage capacity of 1,067 acre-feet, this concrete structure spans 510 feet and covers a surface area of 75 acres. The dam's maximum discharge capacity is an impressive 19,100 cubic feet per second, making it a crucial asset in managing water resources in the region.
Owned and operated by a private entity, Deerfield No. 4 falls under the regulatory purview of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Despite its age, the dam has a low hazard potential and is regularly inspected every three years to ensure its safety and structural integrity. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's emergency action plan is regularly reviewed and updated, demonstrating a commitment to risk management and public safety. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Deerfield No. 4 presents a fascinating case study in the sustainable use of hydropower and the importance of effective dam management in a changing climate.
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 Deerfield No. 4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North River At Shattuckville | 116 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River At Charlemont | 294 cfs | → |
| South River Near Conway | 27 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Colrain | 71 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River Near West Deerfield | 601 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Montague City | 36,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Deerfield No. 4 .
Boat launches
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Kellogg Hill Road, Hatfield
- Fairview Avenue 298, Wilmington
- Lake Raponda Road Wilmington
- Ashton Avenue North Adams
Campgrounds
- Mohawk Trail State Forest
- Barton Cove
- Dar State Forest
- Windsor State Forest
- Savoy Mountain State Forest
- Molly Stark State Park
Track Deerfield No. 4 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 Deerfield No. 4
Where does the data for Deerfield No. 4 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 Low 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 Deerfield No. 4 .