The Westfield Reservoir last summer.
Photo credit:Tighe & Bond
WESTFIELD — The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently announced $350,000 to support dam removal studies in seven municipalities.
asthampton, Littleton, Townsend, Wareham, West Springfield, West Tisbury and Westfield will have dams funded.
Westfield Public Works Director Randal Brown said the Westfield Reservoir Dam, a high-hazard dam in Montgomery, is among those being studied. Its removal would protect downstream infrastructure and restore the health of a coldwater stream.
Brown said the Water Department applied for the grant. The Department of Fish & Game is the funding source, and the city will have an agreement with a local consultant to develop the study. “Fish & Game would like to see these reservoirs turned back into a natural state,” he said.
“Dam removal is an important part of the commonwealth’s ambitious, whole-of-government approach to conserve biodiversity,” said DFG Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “With every aging, unwanted dam removed, we help people and nature thrive together. Free-flowing, restored rivers are critical for fish and wildlife and make our communities safer, healthier and better prepared for severe storms.”
According to the history of the reservoir on the city’s website, the Montgomery Reservoir was built in 1874. It has a capacity of 184 million gallons. This reservoir was one of the main supplies of water for the city of Westfield until 1929, when the Granville Reservoir was built. The Montgomery Reservoir was used until 1974, when a filtration plant would have been required for further use.
“The reservoir flows through Moose Meadow Brook, which both feeds the reservoir and is the downstream discharge. It’s an obstruction of the brook,” Brown said.
“One of the environmental considerations and benefits [of] removing the dam is to restore the natural stream flow of Moose Meadow Brook. The water in the reservoir does get warm — it will restore it back to a cold water fishery,” he said.
Brown said the water is still up in the reservoir, which is classified as a high-hazard dam. “If it were to fail, there would be significant impacts downstream,” he said. By removing it, it would restore the natural stream — Moose Meadow Brook running naturally through a new channel where the reservoir lies. He said its removal would eliminate the potential of flooding.
Brown said the grant is for a feasibility study only, with no commitment from the city to implement the findings. “The study will allow us to identify the impacts and the cost if we were to proceed with the dam removal project,” he said, adding that the city needs to bring a consultant on board to survey the reservoir, take sediment samples and determine if there are any contaminants or hazardous materials, which is part of the investigative work they’ll be undertaking.
“We had an inspection done late summer. It’s a beautiful area,” he added.
The Manhan River Dam, a significant hazard dam in Easthampton, will also receive funds for a feasibility study. Removal of the dam would benefit migratory and coldwater fish species, important habitats, nearby infrastructure and surrounding environmental justice communities.
Also included is the Bear Hole Reservoir Dam in West Springfield, another significant hazard dam. According to the announcement, its removal would reduce risk to downstream infrastructure and also improve important coldwater and priority habitats, as well as connectivity for aquatic species.
