West Parish Filter #1 Dam dam
West Parish Filter #1 Dam
West Parish Filter #1 Dam, located in Westfield, Massachusetts, is a significant Earth dam designed primarily for water supply purposes on Cook Brook. Completed in 1925, this dam stands at a height of 28 feet and has a hydraulic height of 17 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 23 acre-feet. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a surface area of 1.5 acres and a drainage area of 0.88 square miles.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. With a fair condition assessment and a moderate risk level, the dam poses a potential hazard that is actively monitored. Despite its age, the West Parish Filter #1 Dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, showcasing the importance of water resource management in maintaining a sustainable and reliable water supply for the community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the West Parish Filter #1 Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and public safety. As a vital component of the local water supply network, this Earth dam plays a crucial role in ensuring water availability and quality in the region. Its history, design features, and regulatory oversight present a compelling case study for those interested in sustainable water management practices and the impact of climate change on water resources.
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 West Parish Filter #1 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Westfield River Near Westfield | 456 cfs | → |
| Hubbard River Nr. West Hartland | 14 cfs | → |
| West Branch Westfield River At Huntington | 79 cfs | → |
| Middle B Westfield River At Goss Heights | 8 cfs | → |
| Westfield River At Knightville | 185 cfs | → |
| Connecticut R At Interstate 391 Bridge At Holyoke | 35,900 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Parish Filter #1 Dam.
Boat launches
- Old Apremont Way, Westfield
- Howells Pond
- Main Road, Tolland
- West Street 121, Springfield
- South End Bridge Agawam
- Rainbow Reservoir
Campgrounds
- Granville State Forest
- Chester - Blanford State Forest
- Primitve Camping Area
- Tolland State Forest
- Koa Weathampton
- Roaring Brook Camp Area
Fishing spots
- Great Brook Reservoir
- Lower Fulton Park Pond
- Lake Quassapaug
- Seymour Reservoir Number 4
- Reservoir Number 2
- Papermill Pond
Paddle runs
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Hartland Headwaters 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
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- 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 West Parish Filter #1 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 West Parish Filter #1 Dam
Where does the data for West Parish Filter #1 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 West Parish Filter #1 Dam.