The Bel Air Dam (MA1061) is located in the City of Pittsfield in Berkshire County and impounds Pontoosuc Brook, which is a tributary to the West Branch of the Housatonic River. The construction of the dam was contracted in 1832, and it was originally used for power generation for a woolen mill until the 1920s. In the 1940s the use of the mill for wool production was abandoned. Bel Air Dam is now located upstream of several businesses, residences, and thoroughfares. A failure of the dam at maximum pool may cause loss of life and substantial damage to downstream buildings, roadways, and other infrastructure. Therefore, in accordance with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (MassDCR) Dam Safety Regulations, Bel Air Dam is classified as a HIGH (Class I) Hazard Potential dam.
Latest News
-
Public Comment Period Through November 6 , 2024
October 24, 2024
-
Updated Bel Air Summary October 2024
October 24, 2024
-
Pittsfield Conservation Commission Order of Conditions
October 24, 2024
Upcoming Events
-
USACE Section 404 Approval – Anticipated
November 15, 2024
All-day event
-
Advertisement for Construction Bidding – Anticipated
November 30, 2024
All-day event
-
Contractor Selection – Anticipated
December 31, 2024
All-day event
Latest Documents
- Bel Air Dam Trifold (8) (002) File extension: pdf File size: 2 MB
- October 2024 Bel Air Summary_ 10232024 File extension: pdf File size: 606 kB
- DER Bel Air Removal Community Meeting 10_23_2023_final File extension: pdf File size: 5 MB
- 263-1236 OOC File extension: pdf File size: 1 MB
- DER-Bel-Air-Removal-Community-Meeting-2023-12-05 File extension: pdf File size: 4 MB