| Conant Brook Dam | |
| Name Official: | Conant Brook Dam |
| Dam Crosses: | Conant Brook |
| Res Name: | Conant Brook flood control reservoir |
| Location: | Monson, Massachusetts |
| Operator: | Army Corps of Engineers |
| Dam Length: | 1,050 ft (979.9 m) |
| Dam Height: | 85 ft (21.03 m) |
| Construction Began: | 1964 |
| Opening: | 1966 |
The Conant Brook Dam is located on Conant Brook in Monson, Massachusetts, about 7.4miles upstream from the confluence of Conant Brook and the Quaboag River. It is approximately 15miles 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.
The project consists of a rolled earth and rock fill dam with stone slope protection 1050feet long and 85feet high. There is one dike 900feet in length with a maximum height of 20feet. Cut in rock, the spillway comprises a concrete weir 100feet in width. The weir's crest elevation is 14 feet (7.0 m) 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 158acres in the town of Monson, Massachusetts. The entire project, including all associated lands, covers 456acres. The Conant Brook Dam can store up to 1.3e9USgal of water for flood control purposes. This is equivalent to 9inches of water runoff covering its drainage area of 7.8mi2.
The current Conant Brook Dam was in October 2005, when the reservoir reached 35feet deep at the inlet channel.
The Army Corps of Engineers manages and preserves the land for flood control and passive recreation. There are 4.7miles of hiking/mountain biking/horseback riding trails that are located on the project lands. In addition, 1.7miles of service roads (closed to motor vehicles) 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. 1miles 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.