Fife Brook dam
Fife Brook
Located in Charlemont, Massachusetts, Fife Brook (also known as Bear Swamp Lower Reservoir Dike) stands as a significant hydroelectric facility along the Deerfield River. Constructed in 1974, this dam boasts a height of 130 feet and a storage capacity of 4600 acre-feet, serving as a critical water resource in the region. With a maximum discharge rate of 73900 cubic feet per second, Fife Brook plays a pivotal role in regulating water flow and supporting various ecological systems.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Fife Brook's primary purpose is hydroelectric generation, utilizing a controlled spillway and two Tainter (radial) outlet gates. The dam's hazard potential is classified as high, with a very high risk assessment rating, making it crucial for proper risk management measures to be in place. Despite not being state-regulated, Fife Brook's impact on the surrounding environment and water resources cannot be understated, highlighting the interconnectedness between water infrastructure and climate resilience in the area.
As a key component of the New England District, Fife Brook serves as a prime example of how hydroelectric facilities can contribute to both energy production and water resource management. With its impressive history and vital role in the local ecosystem, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water practices and climate-conscious infrastructure development in the face of increasing environmental challenges.
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 Fife Brook -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deerfield River At Charlemont | 304 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River At Adams | 56 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Williamstown | 159 cfs | → |
| Green River At Williamstown | 62 cfs | → |
| North River At Shattuckville | 76 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Colrain | 47 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fife Brook .
Boat launches
- Ashton Avenue North Adams
- Fairview Avenue 298, Wilmington
- South Stream Access Area Road Pownal
- Pine Ridge Drive 27, Pownal
- Lake Raponda Road Wilmington
- Hancock Road 48-94, Pittsfield
Campgrounds
- Mohawk Trail State Forest
- Savoy Mountain State Forest
- Historic Valley
- Clarksburg State Park
- Windsor State Forest
- Sherman Brook Campsite
Track Fife Brook 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 Fife Brook
Where does the data for Fife Brook 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 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 Fife Brook .