Damon Pond Dam dam
Damon Pond Dam
Damon Pond Dam in Chesterfield, Massachusetts, is a privately-owned structure that has been serving as a recreational resource since its completion in 1860. Situated on the Dead Branch river, this earth dam stands at a height of 17 feet and has a normal storage capacity of 255 acre-feet. With a surface area of 85.1 acres and a drainage area of 2.02 square miles, Damon Pond Dam provides a picturesque setting for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
While the dam is classified as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, it is subject to state regulation and inspection by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The last inspection took place in October 2009, with a scheduled frequency of every 10 years. Although the risk assessment is moderate, measures for risk management and emergency preparedness are not currently documented. Despite its age, Damon Pond Dam continues to be a valuable asset for both recreational enthusiasts and water resource advocates in the Hampshire County area.
In the realm of water resource and climate conservation, Damon Pond Dam serves as a historical and functional structure that requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its safety and longevity. As a key component of the local landscape, this earth dam provides opportunities for outdoor recreation while also highlighting the importance of responsible stewardship of our water resources. With its unique design and rich history, Damon Pond Dam remains a focal point for environmental enthusiasts and conservation efforts in the region.
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 Damon Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Westfield River At Knightville | 159 cfs | → |
| Mill River At Northampton | 41 cfs | → |
| Middle B Westfield River At Goss Heights | 8 cfs | → |
| South River Near Conway | 21 cfs | → |
| West Branch Westfield River At Huntington | 68 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River Near West Deerfield | 422 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Damon Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Kellogg Hill Road, Hatfield
- Mount Tom Road 900-978, Easthampton
- Old Apremont Way, Westfield
- Highway 8 2301-2357, Becket
- New Lenox Road 350, Lenox
- Main Road, Tolland
Campgrounds
- Dar State Forest
- Koa Weathampton
- Chester - Blanford State Forest
- Windsor State Forest
- Rocky Point
- Green Point
Paddle runs
- 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
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
Track Damon 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 Damon Pond Dam
Where does the data for Damon 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 Low 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 Damon Pond Dam.