Juda Dam dam
Juda Dam
Juda Dam, located in Ware, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Built in 1962, this gravity dam serves primarily for irrigation purposes, with additional recreational benefits. The dam stands at a height of 15.5 feet and has a storage capacity of 67 acre-feet, providing water for agricultural needs in the area.
Despite its fair condition assessment and low hazard potential, Juda Dam is subject to regular inspections every 10 years to ensure its structural integrity. The dam, made of earth and gravity core types with a buttress foundation, spans 230 feet in length and is situated on a tributary of Beaver Brook. In the event of overflow, the dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 0 feet. With a moderate risk rating and a drainage area of 0.15 square miles, Juda Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Juda Dam's presence not only safeguards water resources but also contributes to the local ecosystem by supporting recreational activities. As a key infrastructure in the New England District, the dam underscores the importance of effective regulation and maintenance to ensure the safety and sustainability of water sources in Massachusetts. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Juda Dam serves as a fascinating example of human intervention in water management, balancing agricultural needs with environmental considerations.
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 Juda Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Swift River At West Ware | 44 cfs | → |
| Ware River At Gibbs Crossing | 333 cfs | → |
| East Branch Swift River Near Hardwick | 85 cfs | → |
| Quaboag River At West Brimfield | 267 cfs | → |
| West Branch Swift River Near Shutesbury | 18 cfs | → |
| Ware River At Intake Works Near Barre | 168 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Juda Dam.
Boat launches
- Walter Drive 2-98, Ware
- Dana Road, Petersham
- Hardwick Road, Hardwick
- Cottage Street 2-38, West Brookfield
- Red Bridge Road 16, Wilbraham
- Shore Road 83, North Brookfield
Campgrounds
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
- Westover Arb Military
- Erving State Forest
- Koa Weathampton
- Tully Lake
- Barton Cove
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 Juda 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 Juda Dam
Where does the data for Juda 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 Low 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 Juda Dam.