Conway Reservoir Dam

Conway Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Franklin County, Massachusetts, built in 1975. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Conway Reservoir Dam

The primary purpose of Conway 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 South Deerfield Water Supply District (local government). It impounds the Roaring Brook near Conway.

The dam stands 65 feet tall and stretches 435 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 553 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1975, 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 11/03/2022.

At 65 feet, this dam is taller than 96% 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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMassachusetts
CountyFranklin
Nearest CityConway
River/StreamRoaring Brook
Coordinates42.47022, -72.66490

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height65 ft
Dam Length435 ft
Year Completed1975 (51 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage553 acre-ft
Max Storage553 acre-ft
Normal Storage450 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge5,975 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerSouth Deerfield Water Supply District
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection11/03/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMA01056
Federal IDMA01056
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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