Conant Brook Dam


The Conant Brook Dam is located on Conant Brook in Monson, Massachusetts, about upstream from the confluence of Conant Brook and the Quaboag River. It is approximately east of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Designed and constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, this dam substantially reduces flooding along the Quaboag, Chicopee, and Connecticut rivers. Construction of the project began in 1964 with completion in 1966 at a cost of US$2,950,530.
The Conant Brook Dam is located within the Chicopee River watershed and is part of the Connecticut River basin. Access to the site is available from State Route 32 and State Route 19.

Description

The project consists of a rolled earth and rock fill dam with stone slope protection long and high. There is one dike in length with a maximum height of. Cut in rock, the spillway comprises a concrete weir in width. The weir's crest elevation is 14 feet lower than the top of the dam. There is no permanent lake behind the dam. The flood storage area for the project, which is normally empty, stores floodwaters and covers in the town of Monson, Massachusetts. The entire project, including all associated lands, covers. The Conant Brook Dam can store up to of water for flood control purposes. This is equivalent to of water runoff covering its drainage area of.
The current Conant Brook Dam was in October 2005, when the reservoir reached deep at the inlet channel.

Land use and recreation

The Army Corps of Engineers manages and preserves the land for flood control and passive recreation. There are of hiking/mountain biking/horseback riding trails that are located on the project lands. In addition, of service roads cross the reservoir area and are open to non-motorized use. The main entrance and parking area are located on Wales Road in Monson, approx. east of State Route 32. An information kiosk is located here. Limited trailhead parking is also available at the gated ends of East Hill Road and Waterworks Road, and at the north end of the project off Munn Road, near the east end of the dike.
Camping is not permitted.