Babson Reservoir Dam
Babson Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Essex County, Massachusetts, built in 1930. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Babson Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Babson Reservoir Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Gloucester (local government). It impounds the Alewife Brook (tributary To Mill River) near Gloucester.
The dam stands 43 feet tall and stretches 675 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 40 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 997 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1930, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 01/15/2024.
At 43 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Massachusetts dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Essex |
| Nearest City | Gloucester |
| River/Stream | Alewife Brook (tributary To Mill River) |
| Coordinates | 42.62586, -70.66778 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 43 ft |
| Dam Length | 675 ft |
| Year Completed | 1930 (96 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 997 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 997 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 635 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 40 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,082 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Gloucester |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 01/15/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00187 |
| Federal ID | MA00187 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |