Cheshire Reservoir Dam
Cheshire Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, built in 1870. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Cheshire Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Cheshire Reservoir Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Division Of Capital Asset Management And Maintenance (state). It impounds the Hoosic River near Cheshire.
The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 40 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 740 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,989 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 15 square miles. Completed in 1870, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/11/2022.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Berkshire |
| Nearest City | Cheshire |
| River/Stream | Hoosic River |
| Coordinates | 42.55374, -73.16536 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Length | 40 ft |
| Year Completed | 1870 (156 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,989 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,989 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,547 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 740 acres |
| Drainage Area | 15 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 525 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 03/11/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00211 |
| Federal ID | MA00211 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |