Newton Lower Falls Dam
Newton Lower Falls Dam is a stone dam located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Newton Lower Falls Dam
The primary purpose of Newton Lower Falls Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Ma Department Of Conservation & Recreation (state). It impounds the Charles River near Newton; Wellesley.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 142 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 24 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 217 square miles.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/28/2021.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Middlesex |
| Nearest City | Newton; Wellesley |
| River/Stream | Charles River |
| Coordinates | 42.32518, -71.25826 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Stone |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 142 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 24 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 24 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 7 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 4 acres |
| Drainage Area | 217 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,200 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | MA Department of Conservation & Recreation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/28/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00343 |
| Federal ID | MA00343 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |