Watson Pond

TRIBUTARY OF FARMINGTON RIVER· Berkshire, Massachusetts· Earth· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Watson Pond is classified as low hazard in Massachusetts. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 6.7% in MA)
Dam Length163 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage370 acre-ft
Normal Storage270 acre-ft
Drainage Area1 sq mi
NID IDMA00284

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
Last Inspection: November 29, 2011
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

WATSON POND ASSOCIATION, INC.

Private

Nearby Dams

White Lily Pond Dam

Berkshire, MA

Low Hazard 11 ft

Indian Lake Dam

Berkshire, MA

High Hazard 15 ft

Robin Hood Lake Dam

Berkshire, MA

Significant Hazard 17 ft

Niskayuna Pond Dam

Berkshire, MA

Low Hazard 25 ft

Long Pond Dam

Hampden, MA

Significant Hazard 8 ft

Lancelot Lake Dam

Berkshire, MA

High Hazard 19 ft

Little Robin Hood Lake Dam

Berkshire, MA

Significant Hazard 13 ft

Crystal Pond Dam

Berkshire, MA

Significant Hazard 19 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Watson Pond?

Watson Pond 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 Watson Pond?

Watson Pond is owned by WATSON POND ASSOCIATION, INC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Watson Pond?

Watson Pond 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 Watson Pond?

Watson Pond has a dam height of 8 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 Watson Pond last inspected?

Watson Pond was last inspected on November 29, 2011. 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.