Schoolhouse Lake Dam
Schoolhouse Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, built in 1986. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Schoolhouse Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Schoolhouse Lake Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Ma Department Of Conservation & Recreation (state). It impounds the Washington Mountain Brook near Washington.
The dam stands 63 feet tall and stretches 1,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 39 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,650 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1986, the structure is 40 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 04/30/2024.
At 63 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.
Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Berkshire |
| Nearest City | Washington |
| River/Stream | Washington Mountain Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.34307, -73.19062 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 63 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1986 (40 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,650 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,650 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 800 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 39 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 250 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | MA Department of Conservation & Recreation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/30/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA02588 |
| Federal ID | MA02588 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |