Buckley Dunton Lake Dam
Buckley Dunton Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, built in 1965. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Buckley Dunton Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Buckley Dunton Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Ma Department Of Conservation & Recreation (state). It impounds the Yokum Brook near Becket.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 370 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 154 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,170 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1965, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/30/2024.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Massachusetts dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Berkshire |
| Nearest City | Becket |
| River/Stream | Yokum Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.31262, -73.13214 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 370 ft |
| Year Completed | 1965 (61 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,170 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,170 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 870 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 154 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | MA Department of Conservation & Recreation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/30/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00202 |
| Federal ID | MA00202 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |