Clam Lake Flood Control Site Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Clam Lake

Hammertown Road, Sandisfield, MA

About Clam Lake

Clam Lake is in Sandisfield, with a parking lot and entry point located on Hammertown Road. Surrounded by the Allen Mountain Wildlife Conservation Easement, Clam Lake is extremely peaceful and sees low visitation, which explains its always-still water. Its shoreline is almost fully forested, and glimpses of the Berkshire Hills can be seen above this tree line. The perimeter of Clam Lake Reservoir is just under two miles and provides a soothing paddling journey.

The Clam Lake Reservoir was built under contract by the State of Massachusetts in the 1970s as part of a Farmington River flood control project. This is evidenced by the one non-forested side of the shoreline, which the dam infrastructure covers. A boat launch also exists near the dam, which provides an easy access point for people hoping to kayak or canoe on Clam Lake. A road that leads visitors down to the water is usually gated shut, meaning a quarter-mile watercraft portage is typically required to reach the boat launch.

Sandisfield is a rural town in Western Massachusetts, close to the border of Connecticut. Bound by Otis on its north, the area provides dozens of outdoor recreation opportunities, some similarly peaceful to Clam Lake. Because of its remote location, wooded landscape, and surrounding views of Berkshire County, Clam Lake is an incredibly serene waterbody.