Mt. Holyoke College Lower Pond Dam
Key Takeaway
Mt. Holyoke College Lower Pond Dam is classified as high hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 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 | 24 ft (taller than 77.7% in MA) |
| Dam Length | 240 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 68 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 41 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 5 acres |
| Drainage Area | 19 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1900 (126 years old) |
| NID ID | MA00584 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE
Private
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Significant Hazard 13 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Mt. Holyoke College Lower Pond Dam?
Mt. Holyoke College Lower Pond 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 Mt. Holyoke College Lower Pond Dam?
Mt. Holyoke College Lower Pond Dam is owned by MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Mt. Holyoke College Lower Pond Dam built?
Mt. Holyoke College Lower Pond Dam was completed in 1900, making it 126 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 Mt. Holyoke College Lower Pond Dam?
Mt. Holyoke College Lower 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 Mt. Holyoke College Lower Pond Dam?
Mt. Holyoke College Lower Pond Dam has a dam height of 24 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 Mt. Holyoke College Lower Pond Dam last inspected?
Mt. Holyoke College Lower Pond Dam was last inspected on August 17, 2016. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.