West Springfield
West Springfield is a timber crib dam located in Hampden County, Massachusetts, built in 1840. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About West Springfield
The primary purpose of West Springfield is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by A & D Hydro, Inc. (private). It impounds the Westfield River near West Springfield.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 475 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 200 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 512 square miles. Completed in 1840, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 09/05/2019.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Hampden |
| Nearest City | West Springfield |
| River/Stream | Westfield River |
| Coordinates | 42.09920, -72.64740 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Timber Crib |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 475 ft |
| Year Completed | 1840 (186 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 200 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 200 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 200 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Drainage Area | 512 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 58,300 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | A & D Hydro, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/05/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00611 |
| Federal ID | MA00611 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |