Cherry Valley Dam dam
Cherry Valley Dam
Cherry Valley Dam, located in Ludlow, Massachusetts, was completed in 1877 and stands at a height of 42 feet, with a hydraulic height of 32.69 feet. The dam plays a crucial role in water supply, with a storage capacity of 8,300 acre-feet and a normal storage of 5,500 acre-feet. The dam, built primarily for water supply purposes, is an earth-type structure with a buttress core and is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
With a hazard potential rated as high and a condition assessment of fair, Cherry Valley Dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. The last inspection was conducted in November 2017, with a frequency of every 2 years. Despite its moderate risk level, the dam has not undergone any significant modifications in recent years. The dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and has a drainage area of 22.5 square miles, serving as a vital resource for the surrounding community.
Cherry Valley Dam serves as a key water resource infrastructure in the Hampden County area of Massachusetts, offering essential storage capacity and supply for the region. With its historical significance dating back to the late 19th century, the dam remains a critical component in water management and distribution. Its location on the Broad Brook river stream underscores its importance in maintaining water supply for the local population, while also highlighting the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks associated with its high hazard potential.
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 Cherry Valley Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chicopee River At Indian Orchard | 1,210 cfs | → |
| Swift River At West Ware | 42 cfs | → |
| Ware River At Gibbs Crossing | 282 cfs | → |
| Quaboag River At West Brimfield | 259 cfs | → |
| Connecticut R At Interstate 391 Bridge At Holyoke | 17,400 cfs | → |
| East Branch Swift River Near Hardwick | 74 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cherry Valley Dam.
Boat launches
- Red Bridge Road 16, Wilbraham
- Water Street 266-334, Springfield
- Walter Drive 2-98, Ware
- Mount Tom Road 900-978, Easthampton
- West Street 121, Springfield
- South End Bridge Agawam
Campgrounds
- Westover Arb Military
- Koa Weathampton
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
- Wilderness Lake Campground
- Primitve Camping Area
- Brialee
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland 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
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
- The Confluence With The Nepaug River To A Point 0.2 Miles Below The Lower Collinsville Dam Tailrace
Track Cherry Valley 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 Cherry Valley Dam
Where does the data for Cherry Valley 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 Cherry Valley Dam.