Bondsville Lower Dam is an earth dam located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, built in 1975. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 17 ft17 ft tall and 200 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 Bondsville Lower Dam
The primary purpose of Bondsville Lower Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Last Known Owner - Dissolved - Chenango Corporation (private). It impounds the Swift River near Palmer.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 70 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 195 square miles. Completed in 1975, 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 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 09/14/2021.
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 | Palmer |
| River/Stream | Swift River |
| Coordinates | 42.21127, -72.34639 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1975 (51 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 70 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 70 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 30 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 10 acres |
| Drainage Area | 195 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,400 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Last Known Owner - Dissolved - Chenango Corporation |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/14/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00561 |
| Federal ID | MA00561 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |