Bel Air Dam

WEST BRANCH HOUSATONIC RIVER· Berkshire, Massachusetts· Earth· 27 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Bel Air Dam is classified as high hazard in Massachusetts. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	27 ft (taller than 82.9% in MA)
Dam Length	200 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	56 acre-ft
Normal Storage	24 acre-ft

Surface Area	3 acres
Drainage Area	23 sq mi
NID ID	MA01061

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: April 21, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

Abandoned - Last Known Owner - Deceased - J. Barry Hollister

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bel Air Dam?

Bel Air Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bel Air Dam?

Bel Air Dam is owned by Abandoned - Last Known Owner - Deceased - J. Barry Hollister (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Bel Air Dam?

Bel Air Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bel Air Dam?

Bel Air Dam has a dam height of 27 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bel Air Dam last inspected?

Bel Air Dam was last inspected on April 21, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.