Bear Swamp - Dike A dam
Bear Swamp - Dike A
Bear Swamp - Dike A, also known as Bear Swamp Upper Reservoir Dike, is a crucial structure located in Charlemont, Massachusetts, along the Deerfield River. Built in 1974 for hydroelectric purposes, this earth and rockfill dam stands at a height of 23 feet and stretches 352 feet in length, providing a maximum storage capacity of 5,100 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees its inspections and operations.
This dam is part of a larger complex that includes two other associated structures, contributing to a surface area of 118 acres and a drainage area of 0.1 square miles. While the dam does not have a spillway, its risk assessment is classified as high due to its location and potential impact in case of failure. The emergency action plan for Bear Swamp - Dike A was last reviewed in 2014, highlighting the importance of preparedness and risk management measures for this critical water resource infrastructure.
With its strategic location in Franklin County, Massachusetts, Bear Swamp - Dike A plays a vital role in harnessing the hydropower potential of the region. As climate change impacts continue to affect water resources, the maintenance and monitoring of this dam are essential to ensure its long-term functionality and the safety of surrounding communities. The collaboration between federal and state agencies in overseeing the dam's operation underscores the importance of effective governance and risk mitigation strategies in safeguarding our water infrastructure for future generations.
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 Bear Swamp - Dike A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deerfield River At Charlemont | 304 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River At Adams | 56 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Williamstown | 159 cfs | → |
| Green River At Williamstown | 62 cfs | → |
| North River At Shattuckville | 76 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Colrain | 47 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bear Swamp - Dike A .
Boat launches
- Ashton Avenue North Adams
- Fairview Avenue 298, Wilmington
- South Stream Access Area Road Pownal
- Pine Ridge Drive 27, Pownal
- Lake Raponda Road Wilmington
- Somerset
Campgrounds
- Mohawk Trail State Forest
- Savoy Mountain State Forest
- Historic Valley
- Clarksburg State Park
- Windsor State Forest
- Sherman Brook Campsite
Track Bear Swamp - Dike A 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 Bear Swamp - Dike A
Where does the data for Bear Swamp - Dike A 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 Bear Swamp - Dike A .