Bel Air Dam Dam
Bel Air Dam
Bel Air Dam, located in Berkshire, Massachusetts, stands as a crucial water resource structure along the West Branch Housatonic River. This privately owned earth dam, primarily designated for recreation, boasts a height of 26.5 feet and a storage capacity of 56 acre-feet. Despite its importance for recreational activities, the dam's condition assessment remains unsatisfactory, with a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts, the Bel Air Dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to ensure public safety. With a history of modifications unlisted, the dam's emergency action plan status and risk management measures are currently undisclosed. The dam's location in Pittsfield and its critical role in water management underscore the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of nearby communities.
As a key water infrastructure element in the region, Bel Air Dam requires careful oversight and proactive risk management strategies to address its high hazard potential and unsatisfactory condition. The dam's association with the West Branch Housatonic River highlights its significance for water resource management and recreational purposes. With state regulatory agencies actively involved in monitoring and inspecting the dam, ongoing efforts are essential to uphold its structural integrity and safeguard against potential emergencies, emphasizing the importance of proactive safety measures and risk mitigation strategies for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
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 Bel Air Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Housatonic River At Coltsville | 22 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River At Adams | 34 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Williamstown | 71 cfs | → |
| Green River At Williamstown | 19 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Near Great Barrington | 142 cfs | → |
| Valatie Kill Near Nassau Ny | 24 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bel Air Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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River runs
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About Bel Air Dam
Where does the data for Bel Air 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 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 below 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.
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.