Virginia Lake Shore Dam

COLES BROOK· Hampshire, Massachusetts· Built 1900· Gravity· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Virginia Lake Shore Dam is classified as low hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 60.3% in MA)
Dam Length100 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage61 acre-ft
Normal Storage50 acre-ft
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDMA00494

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

PRESTON POND LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Virginia Lake Shore Dam?

Virginia Lake Shore 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 Virginia Lake Shore Dam?

Virginia Lake Shore Dam is owned by PRESTON POND LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Virginia Lake Shore Dam built?

Virginia Lake Shore 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 Virginia Lake Shore Dam?

Virginia Lake Shore 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 Virginia Lake Shore Dam?

Virginia Lake Shore Dam has a dam height of 17 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.

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.