Pecks Lower Pond Dam dam
Pecks Lower Pond Dam
Pecks Lower Pond Dam, located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was completed in 1877 and stands at a height of 31 feet with a hydraulic height of 19 feet. This earth dam, built for purposes other than flood control, spans 490 feet and has a storage capacity of 155 acre-feet. The dam, situated on Onota Brook in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, is owned privately and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Despite its historical significance, Pecks Lower Pond Dam is currently classified as having a significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment. The last inspection in 1998 revealed the need for regular maintenance and potential safety concerns. The dam lacks an emergency action plan and updated inundation maps, further highlighting the need for improved risk management measures. With a moderate risk rating assigned, the dam poses a potential threat to the surrounding area in the event of a breach or failure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Pecks Lower Pond Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of regular inspection, maintenance, and risk assessment for aging infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact water resources and increase the frequency of extreme weather events, the maintenance and safety of dams like Pecks Lower Pond become increasingly crucial. Efforts to address the dam's poor condition and lack of emergency preparedness are essential in ensuring the safety of the community and the protection of downstream areas in the face of potential hazards.
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 Pecks Lower Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Housatonic River At Coltsville | 36 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River At Adams | 52 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Williamstown | 142 cfs | → |
| Green River At Williamstown | 58 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Near Great Barrington | 234 cfs | → |
| Valatie Kill Near Nassau Ny | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pecks Lower Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakeway Drive 309-399, Pittsfield
- Hancock Road 48-94, Pittsfield
- Beech Road, Richmond
- New Lenox Road 350, Lenox
- Laurel Street 515, Lee
- Ashton Avenue North Adams
Campgrounds
- Sites 11, 12, 13
- Pittsfield State Forest
- Crystal Mountain Campsite (& Privy)
- October Mountain State Forest
- Mt. Greylock State Reservation
- Ash Group Site
Track Pecks Lower Pond 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 Pecks Lower Pond Dam
Where does the data for Pecks Lower Pond 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 Pecks Lower Pond Dam.