Northfield Mountain
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| Northfield Mountain | |
|---|---|
 Map showing ridgeline and pumped-storage hydroelectric reservoir |
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| Elevation | 1,206 feet (368 m) |
| Location | Erving and Northfield, Massachusetts |
| Range | Millers River highlands |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Type | Metamorphic rock |
| Age of rock | 400 million years |
| Easiest route | Metacomet-Monadnock Trail |
Northfield Mountain, 1,206 feet (368 m), is a mountain ridge located in Erving and Northfield, Massachusetts. 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long by 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long, the mountain is composed of several distinct peaks and ledges, most notabily Rattlesnake Mountain (also known as Farley Ledge) 1,067 feet (325 m), Rose Ledges 330 metres (1,100 ft), and Hermit Mountain (the high point). A pumped-storage hydroelectric plant and reservoir occupies the top of the mountain west of the summit.
The 110 mi (180 km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail crosses the summit ridge of Northfield Mountain; a series of shorter hiking trails, cross country ski trails, and rock climbing routes are also located on the mountain and its ledges. Northfield mountain is located at the confluence of the Connecticut River and Millers River. A waterfall, Briggs Brook Falls, plunges from its southeast side.
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[edit] The pumped-storage hydroelectricity facility
Engineering studies began in October 1964, with early site preparation starting three years later. In 1972 its 1,080-megawatt hydroelectric plant became operational as the largest such facility in the world.
The plant was built entirely underground, and located about 5.5 miles (8.9 km) up the Connecticut River from Turners Falls Dam. A stretch of the Connecticut River, extending some 20 miles (32 km) north from this dam to the Vernon Dam, Vermont, serves as the station's lower reservoir. During periods of lower electrical power demand, the plant pumps water from this lower reservoir to a man-made upper reservoir. At times of high demand, water is released to flow downhill from this upper reservoir through a turbine generator, where it then collects in the lower reservoir to be stored until again pumped to the upper reservoir.
Northfield Mountain's upper reservoir covers 300 acres (1.2 km²) at 800 feet (240 m) above the river, with total storage of 5.6 billion gallons of water. Its underground powerhouse lies at 700 feet (210 m) below the surface and is accessible through a 2,500-foot-long tunnel; it includes four large reversible turbines, each of which can pump about 20,000 gallons of water per second and generate 270,000 kilowatts of electricity.
[edit] Recreation
First Light Power Resources also manages recreational resources on the mountain as part of their agreement with the state of Massachusetts. A cross-country ski area is located on the mountain; it includes groomed slopes, warming huts, and ski instruction. The 110-mile (180 km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail traverses the mountain, as do a number of shorter trails. First Light also offers camping at nearby Barton Cove, tours of the underground hydroelectric facility, and boat tours of the Connecticut River.
Rose Ledge and Farley Ledges are popular among rock climbers. Farley Ledge has been subject to recent conservation and climbing access initiatives. Hermit Mountain is the site of "Hermit's Castle," a state historic site where John Smith, a local recluse, made his home from 1857 to 1900. A small cave is all that remains of Smith's residence.
[edit] References
- Northfield Mountain pumped-storage hydroelectric plant
- The Metacomet-Monadnock Trail Guide 9th edition, (1999). Amherst, Massachusetts: Appalachian Mountain Club.
- Western Mass Climbers Coalition Retrieved February 16, 2008.
[edit] See also
