Dorothy Pond Dam
Dorothy Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1825. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Dorothy Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Dorothy Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town Of Millbury (local government). It impounds the Dorothy Brook near Millbury.
The dam stands 11 feet tall and stretches 170 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 137 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,200 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1825, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/04/2016.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Millbury |
| River/Stream | Dorothy Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.20945, -71.74399 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Length | 170 ft |
| Year Completed | 1825 (201 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,200 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,200 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 800 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 137 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Town of Millbury |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 08/04/2016 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00146 |
| Federal ID | MA00146 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |