What We Do

The District operates the dam near Coopertown Road.  The dam controls the lake level with a twelve-inch gate valve (originally used for daily water releases to the mill and hydroelectric power station).  This valve requires routine adjustment to keep the lake level at the normal elevation, given varying amounts of rain, snow, snowmelt, evapotranspiration and groundwater flow.  We also drop the lake level to a six feet below normal levels in the fall, for invasive species control and flood storage capacity and to maintain the integrity of the dam.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts mandates planning for the potential failure of the dam, in particular for the Goose Pond Dam since it is deemed a "high hazard" due to its impound area, dimensions, and the number and location of residences downstream.  The District hired a Professional Engineering firm to establish the plan.  The District updates the plan as needed.  We also conduct monthly inspections as part of the plan.  The most recent major update was in November 2012, and the plan is updated annually.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts also requires that the District inspect the dam every two years.   A Professional Engineer inspects the site, photographs the dam and appurtenances from many angles, reviews documentation, reviews calculations, and offers recommendations for continued safe dam operation in a state-filed report.  The most recent inspection was in August 2022. The next inspection will be scheduled for August 2024.

The Prudential Committee is required to hold four meetings a year, including the Annual Meeting in the spring (quorum of District voting members) and a tax rate-setting meeting in the fall. These meetings are posted on the website, at the Boat Ramp, at the mailbox kiosk, at the Leisure Lee Tennis Court bulletin board, and at Tyringham Town Hall.