Ashland Reservoir Dam
Ashland Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, built in 1900. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Ashland Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Ashland Reservoir 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 Cold Spring Brook near Ashland.
The dam stands 59 feet tall and stretches 1,900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 165 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,450 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1900, the structure is over a century old.
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 05/06/2024.
At 59 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Middlesex |
| Nearest City | Ashland |
| River/Stream | Cold Spring Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.24672, -71.46019 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 59 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,900 ft |
| Year Completed | 1900 (126 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,450 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,450 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,290 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 165 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,800 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | MA Department of Conservation & Recreation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/06/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00439 |
| Federal ID | MA00439 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |