Bates Power Reservoir Dam dam
Bates Power Reservoir Dam
Located in Phillipston, Massachusetts, the Bates Power Reservoir Dam is a concrete structure built in 1923 with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam, standing at 9 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 6 feet, holds a storage capacity of 230 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 33.3 acres. Situated on the Kendall Brook river, the dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, making it a state-jurisdictional water resource.
Despite its historical significance, the Bates Power Reservoir Dam is currently assessed as being in poor condition with a significant hazard potential. With a moderate risk level assigned, it is crucial for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. As a popular recreational spot, the dam plays a vital role in providing leisure activities for the local community while also serving as a water resource for the area. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find this dam a fascinating example of early 20th-century engineering and the importance of sustainable management practices for maintaining critical infrastructure.
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 Bates Power Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Millers River At South Royalston | 39 cfs | → |
| Birch Hill Reservoir At South Royalston | 30 cfs | → |
| Otter River At Otter River | 97 cfs | → |
| East Branch Tully River Near Athol | 5 cfs | → |
| Priest Brook Near Winchendon | 38 cfs | → |
| Millers River Near Winchendon | 173 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bates Power Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Main Street 2010, Athol
- River Road Royalston
- North Orange Road 52-534, Athol
- Doane Hill Road Royalston
- Regulating Dam Road, New Salem
- Laurel Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Beaman Pond Campground
- Otter River State Forest
- Tully Lake
- East Dennison Camping Area
- North Dennison Camping Area
- Lake Dennison State Park
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Bates Power 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 Bates Power Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Bates Power 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 Bates Power Reservoir Dam.