Breckwood Pond Dam

NORTH BRANCH MILL RIVER· Hampden, Massachusetts· Earth· 23 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Breckwood Pond Dam is classified as significant hazard in Massachusetts. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 76.3% in MA)
Dam Length650 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage89 acre-ft
Normal Storage7 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area13 sq mi
NID IDMA00570

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: September 24, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, BUILDINGS, AND RECREATION MANAGEMENT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Breckwood Pond Dam?

Breckwood Pond Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Breckwood Pond Dam?

Breckwood Pond Dam is owned by CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, BUILDINGS, AND RECREATION MANAGEMENT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Breckwood Pond Dam?

Breckwood Pond 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 Breckwood Pond Dam?

Breckwood Pond Dam has a dam height of 23 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 Breckwood Pond Dam last inspected?

Breckwood Pond Dam was last inspected on September 24, 2017. 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.