Sherman dam
Sherman
Sherman is a privately owned dam located in Monroe Bridge, Massachusetts, along the Deerfield River. Built in 1927 for hydroelectric purposes, Sherman stands at a height of 110 feet and spans 989 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 5480 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 87,000 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Sherman is classified as having a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is not available, indicating a need for further inspection and evaluation. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, its uncontrolled spillway and proximity to a populated area raise concerns about its safety in the event of a major flood or emergency.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Sherman to be a fascinating structure with a rich history and important role in the surrounding ecosystem. As efforts to assess and manage potential risks associated with the dam continue, it serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between human infrastructure and the natural environment.
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 Sherman -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deerfield River At Charlemont | 240 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Williamstown | 142 cfs | → |
| North River At Shattuckville | 68 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River At Adams | 52 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Colrain | 42 cfs | → |
| Green River At Williamstown | 58 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sherman .
Boat launches
- Fairview Avenue 298, Wilmington
- Lake Raponda Road Wilmington
- Ashton Avenue North Adams
- South Stream Access Area Road Pownal
- Pine Ridge Drive 27, Pownal
- Somerset
Campgrounds
- Mohawk Trail State Forest
- Clarksburg State Park
- Savoy Mountain State Forest
- Historic Valley
- Molly Stark State Park Campsites
- Molly Stark State Park
Track Sherman 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 Sherman
Where does the data for Sherman 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 Sherman .