Factory Hollow Dike
Factory Hollow Dike is an earth dam located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, built in 1895. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Factory Hollow Dike
The primary purpose of Factory Hollow Dike is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town Of Amherst (local government). It impounds the Cushman Brook near Amherst.
The dam stands 5 feet tall and stretches 160 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 8 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 94 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 16 square miles. Completed in 1895, the structure is over a century 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 05/24/2021.
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 | Amherst |
| River/Stream | Cushman Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.41622, -72.51895 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 5 ft |
| Dam Length | 160 ft |
| Year Completed | 1895 (131 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 94 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 94 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 80 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 8 acres |
| Drainage Area | 16 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Town of Amherst |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/24/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00597 |
| Federal ID | MA00063S001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |