Lake Wyola facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Wyola |
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 Lake Wyola
Location in Massachusetts
Lake Wyola
Location in the United States
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| Location | Shutesbury, Massachusetts |
| Coordinates | 42°30′06″N 72°26′12″W / 42.50167°N 72.43667°W |
| Primary inflows | Fiske Brook |
| Primary outflows | Sawmill River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 128 acres (0.5 km2) |
| Average depth | 11 feet (3.4 m) |
| Max. depth | 33 feet (10.1 m) |
Lake Wyola is a lovely lake found in Shutesbury, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is a popular spot for outdoor activities.
Building the Lake Wyola Dam
Imagine a lake that got twice as big! That's what happened to Lake Wyola. A dam was built in 1883. This dam helped the lake grow from about 65 acres (0.26 square kilometers) to 130 acres (0.53 square kilometers).
The dam was first built to help create hydropower. Hydropower uses the force of moving water to make electricity. This power was used for many mills along the Sawmill River nearby.
The Lake Wyola Dam is made mostly of earth. It is a long structure, about 232 feet (71 meters) across. It stands about 14 feet (4.3 meters) high. It also has a concrete spillway, which is like a channel for extra water to flow over.
Keeping the Dam Safe
In 1998, state officials looked at the dam. They said it was a "high-hazard" dam. This means that if the dam ever broke, it could cause a lot of damage. It could even put people's lives at risk in towns like Leverett and Montague downstream.
In 2005, there were very heavy storms. The area right below the dam flooded badly. This made people worry even more about how strong the dam was.
Fixing the Dam
By 2008, everyone knew the dam needed repairs. But getting money for big projects like this can be tricky. The governor of Massachusetts at the time did not approve the funding right away. This made many people in Leverett and Montague upset.
However, there are many old dams in Massachusetts that need fixing. So, some people wondered if the state should spend millions of dollars on this one dam.
Even with the initial funding issues, money was eventually found. Work to repair the dam started in the fall of 2008. The important repairs were finished in May 2009. This made the dam much safer for everyone.
