Fitzgerald Dam

BROAD BROOK· Hampshire, Massachusetts· Built 1965· Earth· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Fitzgerald Dam is classified as low hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 73.7% in MA)
Dam Length540 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage420 acre-ft
Normal Storage294 acre-ft
Surface Area49 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDMA00496

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: October 25, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fitzgerald Dam?

Fitzgerald Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Fitzgerald Dam?

Fitzgerald Dam is owned by CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, CONSERVATION COMMISSION (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fitzgerald Dam built?

Fitzgerald Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Fitzgerald Dam?

Fitzgerald 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 Fitzgerald Dam?

Fitzgerald Dam has a dam height of 22 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 Fitzgerald Dam last inspected?

Fitzgerald Dam was last inspected on October 25, 2013. 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.