Atkins Reservoir Dike is an earth dam located in Franklin County, Massachusetts, built in 1932. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 20 ft20 ft tall and 575 ft long. 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 Atkins Reservoir Dike
The primary purpose of Atkins Reservoir Dike 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 Adams Brook near Shutesbury.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 575 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 51 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 870 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1932, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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. The most recent inspection on record was 09/12/2016. That was over 10 years ago.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Franklin |
| Nearest City | Shutesbury |
| River/Stream | Adams Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.42118, -72.48042 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 575 ft |
| Year Completed | 1932 (94 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 870 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 870 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 615 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 51 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Amherst |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/12/2016 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00509 |
| Federal ID | MA00508S001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |