Government Mill Dam
Government Mill Dam is a stone dam located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, built in 1901. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Government Mill Dam
The primary purpose of Government Mill Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Crane & Company, Inc. (private). It impounds the East Branch Housatonic River near Pittsfield.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 185 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 15 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 235 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 57 square miles. Completed in 1901, the structure is over a century old.
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 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 10/12/2021.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Berkshire |
| Nearest City | Pittsfield |
| River/Stream | East Branch Housatonic River |
| Coordinates | 42.46958, -73.19386 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Stone |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 185 ft |
| Year Completed | 1901 (125 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 235 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 235 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 92 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 15 acres |
| Drainage Area | 57 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 13,020 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Crane & Company, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/12/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00845 |
| Federal ID | MA00845 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |