Bear Swamp - Dike A

Bear Swamp - Dike A is a rockfill dam located in Franklin County, Massachusetts, built in 1974. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Bear Swamp - Dike A

The primary purpose of Bear Swamp - Dike A is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. It impounds the Deerfield River near Charlemont.

The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 352 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 118 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1974, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

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 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 09/13/2022.

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Low HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMassachusetts
CountyFranklin
Nearest CityCharlemont
River/StreamDeerfield River
Coordinates42.68510, -72.95840

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeRockfill
NID Height23 ft
Dam Height23 ft
Dam Length352 ft
Year Completed1974 (52 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage5,100 acre-ft
Max Storage5,100 acre-ft
Normal Storage5,100 acre-ft
Surface Area118 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Spillway TypeNone

Ownership & Safety

PurposeHydroelectric
Owner TypeNot Listed
Hazard ClassificationLow
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection09/13/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMA00976
Federal IDMA00976S001
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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