Nelson Mills Pond Dam
Nelson Mills Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Franklin County, Massachusetts, built in 1937. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Nelson Mills Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Nelson Mills Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Dorothy W. Bacon;franklin Regional Council Of Governments;northfield, Llc;rosalind G. Tufts Living Trust, Rosalind G. & Nathan Tufts, Jr., Trustees;town Of Northfield (local government). It impounds the Bennett Brook near Northfield.
The dam stands 27 feet tall and stretches 175 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 18 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 365 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1937, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 06/05/2019.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Franklin |
| Nearest City | Northfield |
| River/Stream | Bennett Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.69097, -72.48617 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 175 ft |
| Year Completed | 1937 (89 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 365 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 365 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 82 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 18 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Dorothy W. Bacon;Franklin Regional Council of Governments;Northfield, LLC;Rosalind G. Tufts Living Trust, Rosalind G. & Nathan Tufts, Jr., Trustees;Town of Northfield |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 06/05/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00050 |
| Federal ID | MA00050 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |