Parker Pond Dam dam
Parker Pond Dam
Parker Pond Dam, located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is a concrete dam on Parker Brook primarily used for recreation. The dam, with a height of 12 feet and a hydraulic height of 10 feet, offers a surface area of 1 acre and a storage capacity of 7 acre-feet. Despite its fair condition assessment, the dam's hazard potential is considered significant, with a moderate risk level assigned to it.
The dam is privately owned and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts. It has a state permit and undergoes regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted in November 2017. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with no outlet gates or associated locks. Despite its moderate risk level, the dam's emergency action plan readiness and inundation maps status remain unspecified.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Parker Pond Dam presents an intriguing case study for understanding the management and maintenance of recreational dams in Massachusetts. The dam's structural features and operational aspects provide insight into the challenges and considerations involved in ensuring the safety and functionality of such water infrastructure. With its significant hazard potential and moderate risk level, Parker Pond Dam underscores the importance of proactive risk management and emergency preparedness in safeguarding water resources and communities downstream.
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 Parker 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 | → |
| Valatie Kill Near Nassau Ny | 3 cfs | → |
| Green River At Williamstown | 58 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Williamstown | 142 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Near Great Barrington | 234 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Parker 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
- Cherry Plain State Park Campgrounds
- Cherry Plain State Park
Track Parker 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 Parker Pond Dam
Where does the data for Parker 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 Parker Pond Dam.