Lower Root Reservoir dam
Lower Root Reservoir
Lower Root Reservoir, located in Lenox, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, is a local government-owned dam that serves as a crucial water supply source in the region. Built in 1891, this earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and has a storage capacity of 305 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 230 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the Lenox Mountain Brook and is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensuring compliance with state inspection and enforcement protocols.
With a hazard potential rated as high and a condition assessment marked as satisfactory during the last inspection in March 2017, Lower Root Reservoir poses a moderate risk (rating of 3). Even though the dam does not have controlled spillways, it is equipped with emergency action plans and meets state guidelines. The dam's risk management measures and inundation maps are under review, indicating a proactive approach to ensuring the safety and integrity of the structure in the face of potential climate challenges and water resource management.
Lower Root Reservoir stands as a testament to the historical significance of water infrastructure in Massachusetts and the ongoing efforts to maintain and protect vital water resources. As climate change impacts continue to shape the region's hydrology, the careful monitoring and maintenance of dams like Lower Root Reservoir are essential for sustaining water supplies and mitigating risks to surrounding communities and ecosystems.
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 Lower Root Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Housatonic River Near Great Barrington | 234 cfs | → |
| East Branch Housatonic River At Coltsville | 36 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Great Barrington | 21 cfs | → |
| Valatie Kill Near Nassau Ny | 3 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River At Adams | 52 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Nr Ashley Falls | 423 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Root Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Beech Road, Richmond
- Laurel Street 515, Lee
- New Lenox Road 350, Lenox
- Lakeway Drive 309-399, Pittsfield
- Hancock Road 48-94, Pittsfield
- Highway 8 2301-2357, Becket
Campgrounds
- October Mountain State Forest
- Sites 11, 12, 13
- Pittsfield State Forest
- Shaker Camp
- Fox Hollow Camping
- At Thruhiker Camping
Paddle runs
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut Border To Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- Woodford To Woodford Hollow
Track Lower Root Reservoir 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 Lower Root Reservoir
Where does the data for Lower Root Reservoir 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 Lower Root Reservoir.