Irene flooding in Holyoke, MA

"Holyoke Dam is on the Connecticut River in Hampden County, Massachusetts and is used for hydroelectric power and recreation purposes. Construction was completed in 1900. It has a normal surface area of 3.6 square miles. It is owned by the City Of Holyoke Gas And Electric Department." - taken from: http://findlakes.com/holyoke_dam_massachusetts~ma00973.htm

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Try to imagine one million gallons of water roaring over the Holyoke dam every second. That's no exaggeration because It's happening right now.

As the water flows downstream from smaller rivers like the Deerfield River, the levels on the Connecticut River are rising.

The Connecticut River in Northampton is now measured at 116 feet; four feet above flood stage. In Holyoke, the River is at 26.83 feet. Flood stage there is 26.5 feet.

Holyoke Gas and Electric company general manager Jim Lavelle assured 22News, that pumping stations up river control the amount of water flowing into greater Springfield.

Bystanders like Bill Young of Holyoke marveled at the Holyoke dam downpour."The power, the sight of the waves coming down. The amount of dirt coming over the dam also," Young said.

It may be hard to imagine that barely a month ago, there was hardly any water going over the Holyoke Dam, and the Connecticut river was so shallow in Springfield that people could safely go fishing in the middle of the river with the water barely reaching their ankles."

- taken from: http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/Water-flowing-high-at-Holyoke-Dam

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