Upper Highland Lake Dam dam
Upper Highland Lake Dam
Upper Highland Lake Dam, located in Goshen, Massachusetts, is a state-regulated structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Built in 1872, this rockfill dam stands at a height of 27 feet and serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, providing essential habitat for aquatic life in the area. With a storage capacity of 829 acre-feet and a surface area of 54 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in supporting recreational activities and maintaining the ecological balance of the West Branch Mill River.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment, Upper Highland Lake Dam has a high hazard potential, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure public safety. The dam's spillway, classified as uncontrolled, highlights the need for effective risk management measures to mitigate potential flooding risks. With a moderate risk assessment rating, ongoing monitoring and adherence to emergency action plans are essential to address any potential threats to the dam's structural integrity and surrounding communities.
As a significant water resource in Hampshire County, Upper Highland Lake Dam serves as a vital component of the local ecosystem and recreational landscape. With its historical significance and functional importance, the dam underscores the intersection of water management, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship in the region. Enhancing its risk management strategies and emergency preparedness will be crucial in safeguarding the dam and the surrounding area from potential hazards and ensuring its continued contribution to the community's well-being.
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 Upper Highland Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South River Near Conway | 20 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River Near West Deerfield | 626 cfs | → |
| Mill River At Northampton | 37 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River At Charlemont | 304 cfs | → |
| Westfield River At Knightville | 149 cfs | → |
| North River At Shattuckville | 76 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Highland Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Kellogg Hill Road, Hatfield
- Mount Tom Road 900-978, Easthampton
- Old Apremont Way, Westfield
- Highway 8 2301-2357, Becket
- Hancock Road 48-94, Pittsfield
- New Lenox Road 350, Lenox
Campgrounds
- Dar State Forest
- Windsor State Forest
- Koa Weathampton
- Mohawk Trail State Forest
- Chester - Blanford State Forest
- Barton Cove
Paddle runs
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- Woodford To Woodford Hollow
- First Bridge To Walloomsac Brook
Track Upper Highland Lake 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 Upper Highland Lake Dam
Where does the data for Upper Highland Lake 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 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 Upper Highland Lake Dam.