Tighe Carmody Reservoir Dam
Tighe Carmody Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, built in 1955. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Tighe Carmody Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Tighe Carmody 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 City Of Holyoke (local government). It impounds the Manhan River near Southampton.
The dam stands 130 feet tall and stretches 1,900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 354 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 25,490 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 14 square miles. Completed in 1955, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 10/12/2022.
At 130 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Southampton |
| River/Stream | Manhan River |
| Coordinates | 42.21594, -72.77644 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 130 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,900 ft |
| Year Completed | 1955 (71 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 25,490 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 25,490 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 20,530 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 354 acres |
| Drainage Area | 14 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 34,257 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Holyoke |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/12/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00499 |
| Federal ID | MA00499 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |