Lake Warner Dam dam
Lake Warner Dam
Lake Warner Dam, located in Hadley, Massachusetts, was completed in 1918 and serves as a vital structure on the Mill River for recreational purposes. This masonry dam stands at a height of 17 feet with a hydraulic height of 14 feet, providing storage of up to 485 acre-feet of water. With a surface area of 68 acres and a drainage area of 31.7 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by a private entity, the Lake Warner Dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam is currently in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in October 2017. With a moderate risk assessment rating, measures for risk management are yet to be specified, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and efficiency of this essential water infrastructure.
The Lake Warner Dam not only provides a recreational outlet for the local community but also contributes to the overall water management and conservation efforts in Hampshire, Massachusetts. Its historical significance and strategic location on the Mill River make it a key piece of infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to study and appreciate in the context of sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
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 Lake Warner Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill River At Northampton | 56 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River Near West Deerfield | 601 cfs | → |
| West Branch Swift River Near Shutesbury | 28 cfs | → |
| South River Near Conway | 27 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Montague City | 36,200 cfs | → |
| Connecticut R At Interstate 391 Bridge At Holyoke | 39,900 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Warner Dam.
Boat launches
- Kellogg Hill Road, Hatfield
- Mount Tom Road 900-978, Easthampton
- Old Apremont Way, Westfield
- Water Street 266-334, Springfield
- Red Bridge Road 16, Wilbraham
- Regulating Dam Road, New Salem
Campgrounds
- Dar State Forest
- Koa Weathampton
- Westover Arb Military
- Barton Cove
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
- Erving State Forest
Paddle runs
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
Track Lake Warner 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 Lake Warner Dam
Where does the data for Lake Warner 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 Lake Warner Dam.