Lower Highland Lake Dam
Lower Highland Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, built in 1852. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lower Highland Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Lower Highland 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 West Branch Mill River near Goshen.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 650 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 93 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,530 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1852, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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 04/24/2024.
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 | Hampshire |
| Nearest City | Goshen |
| River/Stream | West Branch Mill River |
| Coordinates | 42.44274, -72.79395 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Length | 650 ft |
| Year Completed | 1852 (174 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,530 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,530 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,020 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 93 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,390 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 | 04/24/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00598 |
| Federal ID | MA00598 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |