Forge Pond Dike Dam
Forge Pond Dike
Forge Pond Dike, located in Granby, Massachusetts, is a local government-owned structure that serves as a recreational asset along Bachelor Brook. Built in 1978, this earth dam stands at a height of 10.7 feet and has a hydraulic height of 8.2 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 320 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 540 acre-feet, this dam covers a surface area of 72 acres and drains a watershed area of 14.2 square miles.
Despite its recreational primary purpose, Forge Pond Dike is categorized as having a significant hazard potential and a poor condition assessment. With the last inspection conducted in April 2018, the dam is in need of maintenance and risk management measures to address its high-risk status. The state of Massachusetts, through the Department of Conservation and Recreation, regulates and inspects the dam, ensuring compliance with safety standards and enforcing necessary repairs to reduce potential risks to downstream communities.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and maintenance of dams will find Forge Pond Dike a compelling case study. With its poor condition assessment and significant hazard potential, the dam presents a critical challenge that requires proactive risk management strategies and regular inspections to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the preservation of the recreational benefits provided by Bachelor Brook.
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 Forge Pond Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Swift River At West Ware | 49 cfs | → |
| Chicopee River At Indian Orchard | 246 cfs | → |
| Connecticut R At Interstate 391 Bridge At Holyoke | 4,010 cfs | → |
| Ware River At Gibbs Crossing | 50 cfs | → |
| Mill River At Northampton | 9 cfs | → |
| Quaboag River At West Brimfield | 53 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forge Pond Dike.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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River runs
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About Forge Pond Dike
Where does the data for Forge Pond Dike 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 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.