Turners Falls Dike dam
Turners Falls Dike
The Turners Falls Dike, also known as Turners Falls No. 1 Dam, is a public utility structure located in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. Built in 1905, this earth dam serves primarily for hydroelectric purposes, with a normal storage capacity of 16,600 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 21,500 acre-feet. The dam spans 500 feet in length and stands at a height of 10 feet, with a controlled spillway width of 10 feet.
This dam is part of the Turners Falls Canal system and is managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam poses a very high risk due to its location and the potential consequences of a breach. The dam has undergone regular inspections, with the last one conducted in July 2018. Emergency action plans are in place, although details on condition assessment and risk management measures are currently not available.
Overall, the Turners Falls Dike plays a crucial role in the hydroelectric infrastructure of the area, providing both energy generation and recreational opportunities. Its historical significance as a key component of the canal system adds to its importance in water resource management and climate resilience 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 Turners Falls Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut River At Montague City | 35,700 cfs | → |
| Millers River At Erving | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River Near West Deerfield | 1,450 cfs | → |
| South River Near Conway | 23 cfs | → |
| North River At Shattuckville | 95 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Colrain | 56 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Turners Falls Dike .
Boat launches
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Kellogg Hill Road, Hatfield
- Regulating Dam Road, New Salem
- North Orange Road 52-534, Athol
- Main Street 2010, Athol
- Doane Hill Road Royalston
Campgrounds
- Barton Cove
- Erving State Forest
- Richardson-Zlogar Cabin
- Fort Dummer State Park
- Dar State Forest
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- First Bridge To Walloomsac Brook
Track Turners Falls Dike 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 Turners Falls Dike
Where does the data for Turners Falls Dike 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 Turners Falls Dike .