Ashfield Pond Dam dam
Ashfield Pond Dam
Ashfield Pond Dam, located in Ashfield, Massachusetts, is a local government-owned structure that serves the primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1897, this Earth dam on the South River stands at a height of 15.3 feet and has a storage capacity of 501 acre-feet. With a surface area of 37.12 acres and a drainage area of 1.07 square miles, the dam plays a vital role in providing recreational opportunities for the community.
The dam is state-regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and undergoes regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted in October 2016, revealing a fair condition assessment. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the overall risk assessment is moderate. It is important to note that the dam has an uncontrolled spillway and is associated with the South River, highlighting its significance in the local water resource management and climate conservation efforts in the area.
Overall, Ashfield Pond Dam serves as a critical infrastructure for recreation and water management in Franklin County, Massachusetts. Its historical significance, coupled with its state-regulated status and fair condition assessment, underscores the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and sustainability of this essential water resource feature for the community and the environment.
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 Ashfield Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South River Near Conway | 20 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River At Charlemont | 304 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River Near West Deerfield | 626 cfs | → |
| North River At Shattuckville | 76 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Montague City | 16,000 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Colrain | 47 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ashfield Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Kellogg Hill Road, Hatfield
- Mount Tom Road 900-978, Easthampton
- Ashton Avenue North Adams
- Hancock Road 48-94, Pittsfield
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Fairview Avenue 298, Wilmington
Campgrounds
- Dar State Forest
- Windsor State Forest
- Mohawk Trail State Forest
- Barton Cove
- Savoy Mountain State Forest
- Koa Weathampton
Track Ashfield Pond 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 Ashfield Pond Dam
Where does the data for Ashfield Pond 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 Ashfield Pond Dam.