Black Brook Pl-566 Flood Control Dam dam
Black Brook Pl-566 Flood Control Dam
The Black Brook Pl-566 Flood Control Dam, located in Russell, Massachusetts, was completed in 1971 by the USDA NRCS to address flood risk reduction along the Black Brook. This earth dam stands at 60 feet high with a hydraulic height of 51.5 feet, providing a storage capacity of 1,620 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 10.9 acres. It is classified as a high hazard potential structure with a fair condition assessment as of July 2017.
Managed by the local government, the Black Brook Dam is regulated and inspected by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, serving the community by mitigating the impact of potential flooding events. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates help regulate water flow during periods of high discharge. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam continues to be monitored and maintained to ensure its effectiveness in protecting the surrounding area from flooding.
As a vital component of the region's water resource infrastructure, the Black Brook Pl-566 Flood Control Dam plays a crucial role in safeguarding the community against the threat of floods. With its strategic design and engineering by the USDA NRCS, the dam stands as a testament to effective flood control measures implemented in the area. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of this structure in maintaining the safety and resilience of the local environment in Hampden County, Massachusetts.
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 Black Brook Pl-566 Flood Control Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Westfield River At Huntington | 71 cfs | → |
| Middle B Westfield River At Goss Heights | 8 cfs | → |
| Westfield River At Knightville | 162 cfs | → |
| Westfield River Near Westfield | 388 cfs | → |
| Hubbard River Nr. West Hartland | 10 cfs | → |
| West Branch Farmington River Near New Boston | 53 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Black Brook Pl-566 Flood Control Dam.
Boat launches
- Main Road, Tolland
- Old Apremont Way, Westfield
- Highway 8 2301-2357, Becket
- Howells Pond
- Mount Tom Road 900-978, Easthampton
- West Street 121, Springfield
Campgrounds
- Chester - Blanford State Forest
- Koa Weathampton
- Tolland State Forest
- Granville State Forest
- Green Point
- Rocky Point
Fishing spots
- Great Brook Reservoir
- Lower Fulton Park Pond
- Lake Quassapaug
- Seymour Reservoir Number 4
- Papermill Pond
- Reservoir Number 2
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
- 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
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut Border To Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut
Track Black Brook Pl-566 Flood Control 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 Black Brook Pl-566 Flood Control Dam
Where does the data for Black Brook Pl-566 Flood Control 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 Black Brook Pl-566 Flood Control Dam.