October Mt. Lake Dike
Key Takeaway
October Mt. Lake Dike is classified as high hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1985 and is 41 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 | 20 ft (taller than 69.5% in MA) |
| Dam Length | 820 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 1.5K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 870 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 83 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1985 (41 years old) |
| NID ID | MA03281 |
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
DCR - DEPT. OF CONSERVATION & RECREATION
State Government
Nearby Dams
October Mt. Lake Dam
Berkshire, MA
High Hazard 39 ftSchoolhouse Lake Dam
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High Hazard 63 ftSandwash Reservoir Dam
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High Hazard 41 ftWashington Mountain Lake Dam
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High Hazard 28 ftLeahey (Upper) Reservoir Dam and Dike
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High Hazard 57 ftAshley Lake Reservoir
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Low Hazard 15 ftFarnham Reservoir Dam
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High Hazard 105 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of October Mt. Lake Dike?
October Mt. Lake Dike 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 October Mt. Lake Dike?
October Mt. Lake Dike is owned by DCR - DEPT. OF CONSERVATION & RECREATION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was October Mt. Lake Dike built?
October Mt. Lake Dike was completed in 1985, making it 41 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 October Mt. Lake Dike?
October Mt. Lake Dike serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is October Mt. Lake Dike?
October Mt. Lake Dike has a dam height of 20 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 October Mt. Lake Dike last inspected?
October Mt. Lake Dike was last inspected on June 15, 2016. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.