Hill Reservoir Dam
Hill Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, built in 1934. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Hill Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Hill Reservoir Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Town Of Amherst (local government). It impounds the Amethyst Brook near Pelham.
The dam stands 41 feet tall and stretches 450 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 67 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1934, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 09/10/2021.
At 41 feet, this dam is taller than 88% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Hampshire |
| Nearest City | Pelham |
| River/Stream | Amethyst Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.38202, -72.44187 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 41 ft |
| Dam Length | 450 ft |
| Year Completed | 1934 (92 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 67 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 67 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 48 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,295 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Amherst |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/10/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00064 |
| Federal ID | MA00064 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |