Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir Dam

ROBERTS MEADOW BROOK· Hampshire, Massachusetts· Built 1894· Masonry· 42 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1894 and is 132 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 42 ft (taller than 93.5% in MA)
Dam Length403 ft
Dam TypeMasonry
Max Storage650 acre-ft
Normal Storage330 acre-ft
Surface Area21 acres
Drainage Area11 sq mi
Year Completed1894 (132 years old)
NID IDMA00761

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: September 20, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir Dam?

Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir 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 Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir Dam?

Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir Dam is owned by CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir Dam built?

Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir Dam was completed in 1894, making it 132 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 Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir Dam?

Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir Dam?

Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 42 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 Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Roberts Meadow Middle Reservoir Dam was last inspected on September 20, 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.