Francis P. Ryan Dam dam
Francis P. Ryan Dam
Francis P. Ryan Dam, located in Whately, Massachusetts, serves as a vital water supply structure for the region. Completed in 1970, this earth dam stands at a height of 79.5 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 2820 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is to support water supply needs, with a normal storage capacity of 2460 acre-feet and a surface area of 78.72 acres.
Managed by the local government, the Francis P. Ryan Dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts. It is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safe operation. With a high hazard potential but fair condition assessment as of September 2016, the dam presents a moderate risk level (3) according to the risk assessment.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Francis P. Ryan Dam an intriguing structure within the West Brook river system. Its role in providing essential water supply services, coupled with its regulatory oversight and risk management measures, showcases the importance of maintaining and monitoring dams for both public safety and environmental sustainability.
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 Francis P. Ryan Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deerfield River Near West Deerfield | 601 cfs | → |
| South River Near Conway | 27 cfs | → |
| Mill River At Northampton | 56 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Montague City | 36,200 cfs | → |
| North River At Shattuckville | 116 cfs | → |
| Westfield River At Knightville | 228 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Francis P. Ryan Dam.
Boat launches
- Kellogg Hill Road, Hatfield
- Mount Tom Road 900-978, Easthampton
- Old Apremont Way, Westfield
- Regulating Dam Road, New Salem
- Water Street 266-334, Springfield
- Dana Road, Petersham
Campgrounds
- Dar State Forest
- Koa Weathampton
- Barton Cove
- Windsor State Forest
- Erving State Forest
- Chester - Blanford State Forest
Paddle runs
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
Track Francis P. Ryan 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 Francis P. Ryan Dam
Where does the data for Francis P. Ryan 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 Francis P. Ryan Dam.