Quabbin Goodnough Dike Dam
Quabbin Goodnough Dike
Quabbin Goodnough Dike in Massachusetts serves as a crucial component of the state's water supply infrastructure, standing at a height of 135 feet and completed in 1938. This earth dam, designed primarily for water supply purposes, holds a storage capacity of 1,810,000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 25,216 acres. Located in Ware, Hampshire County, the dam regulates the flow of Beaver Brook and is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
With a high hazard potential due to its significant storage capacity, the dam has been assessed as satisfactory in condition as of August 2016. Regular inspections are carried out every two years to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. Despite its high risk level, the dam has not been modified over the years, reflecting its sound design and construction. The absence of a spillway indicates the reliance on other outlets for managing excess water flow.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Quabbin Goodnough Dike represents a vital link in the state's water supply chain, highlighting the importance of effective regulatory oversight and maintenance practices for ensuring the safety and reliability of such critical infrastructure. As a key component in managing the flow of Beaver Brook and storing vast amounts of water, the dam plays a crucial role in meeting the water needs of the surrounding communities while also posing potential risks that require continuous monitoring and management. Its historical significance and engineering design make it a noteworthy structure in Massachusetts's water management landscape.
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 Quabbin Goodnough Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Swift River At West Ware | 49 cfs | → |
| Ware River At Gibbs Crossing | 50 cfs | → |
| East Branch Swift River Near Hardwick | 3 cfs | → |
| Quaboag River At West Brimfield | 53 cfs | → |
| West Branch Swift River Near Shutesbury | 2 cfs | → |
| Ware River At Intake Works Near Barre | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Quabbin Goodnough Dike.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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River runs
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About Quabbin Goodnough Dike
Where does the data for Quabbin Goodnough Dike 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 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.