Littleville Lake (Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Littleville Lake |
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 Littleville Lake
Location in Massachusetts
Littleville Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chester / Huntington, Massachusetts, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°15′52″N 072°52′53″W / 42.26444°N 72.88139°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Middle Branch of the Westfield River |
| Primary outflows | Middle Branch of the Westfield River |
| Catchment area | 52 sq mi (130 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 509 ft (155 m) |
Littleville Lake is a large, man-made lake located in the beautiful state of Massachusetts, United States. It was created by building a special wall, called a dam, across a river. This lake plays a very important role in helping to control floods in the area.
Contents
Littleville Lake: Where It Is
Littleville Lake is found in western Massachusetts. Most of the lake is in a town called Chester. A smaller part of it stretches into the nearby town of Huntington. Both towns are in different counties: Chester is in Hampden County, and Huntington is in Hampshire County.
The River That Feeds the Lake
The lake was formed on the Middle Branch of the Westfield River. This river flows through the region, and like many rivers, it can sometimes flood. The dam helps to manage the river's flow, especially during heavy rains or when snow melts.
Why Littleville Lake Was Built
Littleville Lake was built for a very important reason: to stop floods. Before the lake existed, the Middle Branch of the Westfield River could overflow its banks. This would cause damage to homes, farms, and roads.
The Role of the US Army Corps of Engineers
The lake was created by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This is a special group of engineers and construction workers. They work for the United States government. Their job is to build and manage many public works projects. These projects include dams, canals, and other structures. They help protect people and the environment. For Littleville Lake, their main goal was to protect the communities downstream from flooding.
How Dams Help with Flood Control
A dam acts like a giant gate across a river. When there's a lot of rain, the dam holds back the extra water. This creates a reservoir, which is what Littleville Lake is. By storing the water, the dam prevents it from rushing downstream all at once. This protects towns and cities from being flooded. Later, the water can be released slowly and safely. This helps keep the river at a normal level.
