Porter Lake Dam Dam
Porter Lake Dam
Porter Lake Dam, located in Hampden County, Massachusetts, was completed in 1919 and serves as a recreational site along the Pecousic River. The dam is primarily used for recreation purposes, with a height of 24 feet and a length of 450 feet, creating a surface area of 30 acres and a storage capacity of 450 acre-feet. Despite its historical significance, Porter Lake Dam is currently rated as being in poor condition, with a significant hazard potential due to its age and structural integrity.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the dam is state-regulated and regularly inspected to ensure public safety and compliance with enforcement measures. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, adding to the risk factor associated with its operation. While the risk assessment for Porter Lake Dam is moderate, the condition assessment highlights the urgent need for maintenance and potential risk management measures to prevent any potential disasters or emergencies.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Porter Lake Dam presents an opportunity to explore the intersection of historical infrastructure and modern-day challenges in dam management. As a beloved recreational site in Springfield, Massachusetts, the dam's significance lies not only in its engineering marvel but also in the need for sustainable practices to ensure its longevity and safety for future generations to enjoy.
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 Porter Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut River At Thompsonville | 4,740 cfs | → |
| Chicopee River At Indian Orchard | 246 cfs | → |
| Westfield River Near Westfield | 107 cfs | → |
| Connecticut R At Interstate 391 Bridge At Holyoke | 4,010 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook Near West Suffield | 1 cfs | → |
| Broad Brook At Broad Brook | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Porter Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Porter Lake Dam
Where does the data for Porter Lake 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 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.