FAQs ~ updated 5-29-11
Q: Is Bear Hole Watershed a safe place to explore and recreate? A: Incidents of hard crime have been more or less non-existent in recent years. Hard crime being incidents such as shootings, stabbings, murder and rape. More recent issues include bonfires, destruction of habitat, abuse by off road vehicles, illegal dumping, illegal hunting and arson of stolen or unwanted vehicles. On Monday, September 20, 2010 a vehicle was set ablaze (a felony in Massachusetts) at an isolated area on Great Plains Road near the junction of Morgan Road. The fire was reported by Massachusetts State Police - Troop E on the Turnpike at approximately 10pm. The Turnpike parallels Great Plains and crosses Morgan. The vehicle was registered out of state. This incident is being labeled as suspicous while also being a rare incident of "hard crime" for Bear Hole.
November 20, 2010 (Saturday) at 2pm, the West Springfield Fire Deptartment received a report of a vehicle set ablaze. The location was within an isolated area adjacent to Lost Pond, which abuts Millville Road in Bear Hole and is closed to traffic. The fire ignited adjacent woodlands. The incident is being treated as suspicious while also considering the fact that vehicles are prohibited from traversing Millville. The Millville area is a haven for off-road vehicles. If you are hiking or recreating within the Millville / Four Corners area and observe something that doesn't seem quite right to you, please call 911 from your cell phone. Of course video and/or photos are always helpful.
People young and old explore and enjoy various areas of Bear Hole everyday without incident. The more people venture into Bear Hole, the more illegal activities will be deterred.
Yes, it's safe. Always use common sense when exploring wild areas.
Q: Are there trail maps of Bear Hole?
A: Unfortunately, no. The area is an active watershed and not a park per se. The Environmental Committee doesn't manage the watershed's area, we just work towards its preservation. April 2011 the committee is sharing its ideas with the DPW and Water Department regarding trail mapping. This is a work in progress and it is not yet confirmed if the project will positively move forward. In the meantime, you'll have to explore Bear Hole on your own or participate in one of our Bear Hole hikes to help you get acclimated.
Feel free to go to the "Contact Us" link and send an e-mail if you need suggestions where to go.
Q: Are there bears in Bear Hole? What type of wildlife is in the area?
A: Yes, there are black bear in Bear Hole. You should be aware they're within the watershed, which extends to the ridge of East Mountain. Odds are in favor you will never see a bear in Bear Hole, most people who frequent the area never have. If you encounter a black bear, DO NOT run. Instead back away slowly with your arms raised and speak in a soothing voice. Nine times out of ten, when a bear sees you in the woods, it will run in the opposite direction.
Black bear weight ranges from 125 to 500 pounds with females weighing between 90 and 300 pounds on average. If you happen to encounter a black bear mother and her cubs, remember, a mother bear with cubs is at its most aggressive state. They are highly dedicated to their cubs wellbeing and will attack humans as well as dogs or any other creature viewed as a threat. Particularly during spring, for safety reasons, it is wise to hike with a partner.
Other wildlife includes coyote, bobcat, herons, white tailed deer, wild turkey and beaver.
Q: Is it true Bear Hole is no longer used as a water source?
A: NO it is not true. Bear Hole Reservoir is still an active water supply. If you walk down to the Bear Hole Pumping Station and there is no water in the filter beds, the system is offline or a particular filter bed is not being used. If there is water coming from filter tank aerators, the system is active. If a filter tank is full of water, but no water coming from aerators, that particular tank is on stand-by. State regulations mandate that Bear Hole cannot supply water 24hrs/day.
As of Fall 2009 and still on September 1, 2010 the system is offline due to pending routine maintenance such as replacing gaskets and repairing aerators. On September 22, 2010 it was confirmed with the DPW that Bear Hole is back online as a drinking water supply after being offline for 1 year. May 2011 the committee was informed that due to a severe water main leak located on the hill in front of the Bear Hole Pumping Station, the reservoir is offline as a water source. 20 gallons of water are leaking per minute. 900,000 gallons per month. The pipe has been leaking since summer or fall 2010 and is actively transporting water from the town's Southwick Wells to homes throughout West Springfield. The leak is on the Water Dept's to-do list for repairs, but repairs elsewhere in town are taking precedence. One of Bear Hole's water filtration beds suffered damage due to a pipe incurring frost heave during winter 2010 and another bed a damaged aerator. The filter bed pipe and aerator, along with the leaking water main, will have to be replaced before filtration of Bear Hole's water could resume.
The DPW labels Bear Hole reservoir as inefficient and outdated. They have hopes to decommission it as a water supply in the long term and obtain all our drinking water from the town owned Southwick Wells. Currently, when Bear Hole is offline, our drinking water originates from the town's "Southwick Wells", as well as what is purchased from the City of Springfield. (source of information: West Springfield Water Dept)
Q: I want to help out the Environmental Committee, but I'm not sure how.
A: There are many possibilities. Attend a meeting or watch this website for upcoming events. Just because you help out once, doesn't mean you have to do it everytime. At meetings you can express your ideas and concerns, share your knowledge of the area, learn how to get things done in town or just sit back and listen. Community events you can volunteer with various tasks. At clean-ups expect to get dirty and make an immediate difference by removing debris from Bear Hole and Mittineague Park. Environmental research includes researching/documenting vernal pools, wildlife and fauna - no experience is necessary.
There are boundless opportunities for students of all ages who need community service hours.
They can come to us with an idea and we'll work with them and the town (if needed) to get things done.
Send us an e-mail if you're ever interested.
Q: Who should I call if I witness suspicious activity? A: Please call the West Springfield Police Department at 413-263-3210.
Emergencies and urgent matters call 911. More details you can give the dispatcher, the better. Vehicle and/or person description, nature of the problem, license plate info and your location are essential.
Cell phone callers not knowing their location when calling 911 can be tracked via GPS/satellite tracking at the state police barracks in Northampton, which is where all cellular 911 calls are handled for our area. The state police will then transfer your call to West Springfield Police and relay any pertinent info, such as your location.
Q: You're involved with recycling efforts, who should I contact to learn more?
A: Years ago the town had no formal recycling program. The Environmental Committee was instrumental with convincing the town to initiate a program. The Department of Public Works currently manages the recycling program. From time to time, the Committee offers suggestions.
See this link for more info:
Q: How much junk has been removed from Bear Hole since you've started your clean-up events? A: In the Fall 2008, June 2009, Fall 2009 and Spring 2010, Spring 2011 we did clean-ups. We also randomly pick-up loose litter throughout the watershed area. Most of the debris appears to belong to contractors or people from surrounding communities who don't want to pay to dispose of their waste, so they dump illegally. Household items have included computer monitors, furniture and appliances. It's suspected these homeowners are from out of town since West Springfield provides free bulk pick-up as well as a drop off location at the DPW yard on Westfield Street. Unfortunately, other nearby communities don't offer these amenities.
To date over 16.5 tons of debris have been tallied.
This does not include what the DPW routinely removes on their own.
Q: I hear a lot about Bear Hole's history, particularly the "bear's den".
What can you tell me about all this?
A. Bear Hole is rich in history. The "Bear Hole Resort" and "Massasoit Spring" existed until around 1900, which is when Bear Hole was taken by eminent domain for the purpose of being a public water supply. At that time the town demolished the resort's buildings and drained an adjacent man-made pond. There was indeed a bear that was part of the resort. It was a three legged bear from the Adirondacks. Today, a few pictures of the area, an old chimney, cellar wells, the shadows of stone dams within a stream, remnants of Massasoit Spring and of the bear's den are all that remain.
In the Four Corners area there were farms and down Millville Road a complex of mills existed along the stream. A quarry was also in the area hence the street name "Quarry Road".
All our historical information is derived from the town's historian.
If you want to learn more, please e-mail us.
Q: What about other areas and environmental issues in town?
A. In early 2010 the committee focused on utility line maintenance within the outer wooded areas of Mittineague Park that was done by Western Massachusetts Electric. Committee members conducted a site walking tour with town and WMECO officials, attended a hearing at town hall regarding the project, monitored the project's environmental impact as it was in progress and worked with the town's Conservation Officer as needed. We are also actively monitoring the concept of the proposed "dog park" that is being planned for a meadow within Mittineague Park. As of Fall 2010, we are interacting with the West Springfield Parks and Recreation Department regarding vandalism, possible illegal hunting and ATV activity within Mittineague Park. We also conducted a Mittineague park clean-up in November 2010 comprised of 13 volunteers who removed various bulk items, as well as up to 30 large trash bags of everyday litter, including dozens of plastic beverage bottles and aluminum cans, all of which were recycled. April 16, 2011 the Environmental Committee assisted in organizing "Clean-Up West Springfield Day", an Earth Day themed event, that had 100+ volunteers focus on 15 public locations throughout town that needed removal of litter and bulk debris.
Five tons of debris were recovered.
Our main focus is Bear Hole Watershed, though as of 2011 we are becomming more involved with Mittineague Park.