Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam dam
Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam
Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, is a vital structure managed by the local government for the primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1957, this Earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet and has a hydraulic height of 24 feet, providing a storage capacity of 172 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the Upper Van Horn Reservoir, offering a surface area of 8 acres for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking.
Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam remains under the regulation and inspection of the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts. The dam's spillway type is listed as "Uncontrolled," emphasizing the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure public safety and the structural integrity of the dam. With a drainage area of 0.39 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the impact of dams on local ecosystems and communities, the case of Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between infrastructure development, recreational opportunities, and environmental stewardship. With a moderate risk assessment score and a history of inspections dating back to April 2018, ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance the dam's safety features are essential for preserving the reservoir's natural beauty and supporting sustainable water management practices in the area.
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 Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut R At Interstate 391 Bridge At Holyoke | 17,400 cfs | → |
| Chicopee River At Indian Orchard | 1,210 cfs | → |
| Westfield River Near Westfield | 371 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Thompsonville | 18,900 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook Near West Suffield | 4 cfs | → |
| Mill River At Northampton | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- West Street 121, Springfield
- South End Bridge Agawam
- Water Street 266-334, Springfield
- Old Apremont Way, Westfield
- Red Bridge Road 16, Wilbraham
- Mount Tom Road 900-978, Easthampton
Campgrounds
- Westover Arb Military
- Primitve Camping Area
- Koa Weathampton
- Chester - Blanford State Forest
- Granville State Forest
- Roaring Brook Camp Area
Fishing spots
- Trout Hatchery
- Great Brook Reservoir
- Lower Fulton Park Pond
- Lake Washington Fishing Area
- Lake Quassapaug
- Seymour Reservoir Number 4
Paddle runs
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- 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 Upper Van Horn Reservoir 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 Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Upper Van Horn Reservoir 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 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 Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam.