Smith Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, built in 1961. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 32 ft32 ft tall and 300 ft long, taller than 74% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Smith Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Smith Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Two-state Ymca, Inc. Dba Becket-chimney Corners Ymca (private). It impounds the Hamiliton Brook near Becket.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 14 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 190 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1961, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 05/16/2018.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Berkshire |
| Nearest City | Becket |
| River/Stream | Hamiliton Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.27816, -73.07360 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1961 (65 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 190 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 190 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 135 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 14 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Two-state Ymca, Inc. Dba Becket-chimney Corners Ymca |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/16/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00203 |
| Federal ID | MA00203 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |