Knightville Dam, located on the Westfield River in Huntington, Massachusetts, stands as a critical element in the Connecticut River Valley's flood control system. Constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) between August 1939 and December 1941, the dam was a direct response to the devastating 1936 flood that destroyed downstream communities.
As a "dry reservoir," the dam is designed to only impound water during periods of heavy runoff, which is then released in a controlled manner. It operates in tandem with other USACE dams, including Littleville Lake, to provide vital flood protection to Huntington, Westfield, West Springfield, and other communities along the Westfield and Connecticut Rivers. Since its completion, the Knightville Dam has been credited with preventing approximately 300 million dollars of flood damage.
The construction of the Knightville Dam permanently altered the local landscape. The project necessitated the acquisition of a large area of land, which led to the dissolution of the villages of Knightville and Indian Hollow. Residents were required to vacate their properties, and even the original Huntington town hall, located in Knightville, was impacted by this large-scale relocation.
Knightville Dam stands 150 feet high and stretches 1,200 feet across the Westfield River. The total project cost at the time of its completion was $3.3 million. The reservoir it creates has a storage capacity of 49,000 acre-feet (the equivalent of 49,000 acres of land covered by one foot of water), drawn from a drainage area of 162 square miles. This substantial capacity allows it to effectively manage floodwaters across the extensive 2,430-acre project area.
Beyond its primary mission of flood control, the Knightville Dam and its extensive surrounding lands have become a premier destination for recreation and environmental conservation. USACE manages the 2,430 acres of undeveloped land, offering a wide array of year-round recreational activities.
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Water-Based Activities: The Westfield River is a popular spot for fishing, and is stocked with brown, brook, and rainbow trout by the state. The dam is also the starting point for the annual Westfield River Wildwater Canoe Race, which features a dramatic release of water to create challenging rapids.
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Trails: A vast network of trails, including the nine-mile East Branch Trail and the Claude M. Hill Horse Trail, accommodates hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and snowmobilers.
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Wildlife and Nature: The Knightville Dam area is a designated Massachusetts Watchable Wildlife site, where visitors can spot deer, coyotes, beavers, and various bird species. The area's forests are composed of mature hardwoods and softwoods.
USACE continues to operate and maintain the Knightville Dam, balancing its crucial flood risk management role with its function as a valuable public resource for recreation and environmental appreciation.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is updating the Knightville Dam Master Plan. The Master Plan is the strategic land use management document that guides the comprehensive management and development of all project resources throughout the life of a USACE project. The Master Plan guides efficient and cost-effective management, development, and use of project lands. It is a vital tool for the responsible stewardship and sustainability of project resources for the benefit of present and future generations. The Master Plan guides and articulates USACE responsibilities, pursuant to federal laws to preserve, conserve, restore, maintain, manage, and develop project lands and waters and associated resources. The intent of an updated Master Plan is to present a current inventory and assessment to protect and improve the value of resources at a project.
The current Knightville Dam Master Plan, last approved in 1976, needs revision to address changes in regional land use, population, outdoor recreation trends, and the USACE management policy. Key topics to be discussed in the revised Master Plan include revised land use classifications, new natural and recreational resource management objectives, recreation facility needs, and special issues such as invasive species management and threatened and endangered species habitat. The Master Plan revision WILL NOT address the technical and operational aspects of the lake related to flood risk management or the water conservation missions of the project. During the process, the team will collect data, conduct analysis, prepare a draft report (which will become available for public and agency comments), and ultimately finalize and adopt the new Master Plan.