Lake Wyola Dam

SAWMILL RIVER· Franklin, Massachusetts· Built 2009· Masonry· 12 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Wyola Dam is classified as high hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 2009 and is 17 years old. 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 12 ft (taller than 32.1% in MA)
Dam Length150 ft
Dam TypeMasonry
Max Storage1.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage815 acre-ft
Surface Area124 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Year Completed2009 (17 years old)
NID IDMA00510

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: November 22, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

TOWN OF SHUTESBURY, BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Wyola Dam?

Lake Wyola 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 Lake Wyola Dam?

Lake Wyola Dam is owned by TOWN OF SHUTESBURY, BOARD OF SELECTMEN (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Wyola Dam built?

Lake Wyola Dam was completed in 2009, making it 17 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 Lake Wyola Dam?

Lake Wyola 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 Lake Wyola Dam?

Lake Wyola Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Lake Wyola Dam last inspected?

Lake Wyola Dam was last inspected on November 22, 2016. 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.