Knightville Dam is one of the oldest flood control dams. It was constructed between 1939 and 1941 using the “hydraulic fill” method. Clay and earth were mixed with water to make a slurry that was poured slowly on the dam. Knightville Dam cost $3 million. The emergency spillway channel before the flood, and during the flood of 1987.

In the spring of 1987 a flood similar to that of 1936 occurred. Heavy rains fell on a deep, wet snowpack causing rapid melting and run-off. Knightville Dam held back a record amount of flood waters. For only the second time in its history, water flowed over its spillway scouring a channel down to bedrock. However, Knightville slowed down the flow of water reducing serious flooding problems in communities downstream along the Westfield and Connecticut Rivers. Great hiking here on the Claude M. Hill Trail behind the ranger station.

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