Upper Reservoir Dam dam
Upper Reservoir Dam
The Upper Reservoir Dam in Ashfield, Massachusetts, serves as a vital water supply structure owned by the local government. This earth dam, with a height of 17 feet and a hydraulic height of 15 feet, primarily functions to store water for the surrounding area. The dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 24 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3.2 acres, drawing from the Smith Brook for its water source.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Upper Reservoir Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state agencies to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed as being in fair condition as of the last inspection in October 2016. With a moderate risk assessment rating, risk management measures are likely in place to address any potential issues that may arise in the future.
Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find the Upper Reservoir Dam to be a fascinating structure in the Franklin County area of Massachusetts. Its role in water supply, coupled with its regulatory oversight and risk management strategies, highlights the importance of maintaining and monitoring such infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions and potential hazards.
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 Upper Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deerfield River At Charlemont | 304 cfs | → |
| South River Near Conway | 20 cfs | → |
| North River At Shattuckville | 76 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River Near West Deerfield | 626 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Montague City | 16,000 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Colrain | 47 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Kellogg Hill Road, Hatfield
- Mount Tom Road 900-978, Easthampton
- Ashton Avenue North Adams
- Hancock Road 48-94, Pittsfield
- Fairview Avenue 298, Wilmington
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Dar State Forest
- Windsor State Forest
- Mohawk Trail State Forest
- Savoy Mountain State Forest
- Barton Cove
- Historic Valley
Track Upper Reservoir 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 Upper Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Upper Reservoir 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 Upper Reservoir Dam.