Washington Mountain Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Washington Mountain Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1972 and is 54 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 | 28 ft (taller than 84.2% in MA) |
| Dam Length | 1,145 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 5.4K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1972 (54 years old) |
| NID ID | MA00318 |
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
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Significant Hazard 18 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Washington Mountain Lake Dam?
Washington Mountain Lake 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 Washington Mountain Lake Dam?
Washington Mountain Lake Dam 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 Washington Mountain Lake Dam built?
Washington Mountain Lake Dam was completed in 1972, making it 54 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 Washington Mountain Lake Dam?
Washington Mountain Lake Dam 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 Washington Mountain Lake Dam?
Washington Mountain Lake Dam has a dam height of 28 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 Washington Mountain Lake Dam last inspected?
Washington Mountain Lake Dam was last inspected on June 15, 2016. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.