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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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMassachusetts
CountyBerkshire
Nearest CityCheshire
River/StreamHoosic River
Coordinates42.55374, -73.16536

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height14 ft
Dam Length40 ft
Year Completed1870 (156 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage3,989 acre-ft
Max Storage3,989 acre-ft
Normal Storage2,547 acre-ft
Surface Area740 acres
Drainage Area15 sq mi
Max Discharge525 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerDivision of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection03/11/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMA00211
Federal IDMA00211
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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