South Reservoir Dam
South Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, built in 1882. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About South Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of South 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 Town Of Winchester (local government). It impounds the Meetinghouse Brook near Medford.
The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 80 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,040 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1882, 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 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 02/22/2023.
At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 91% 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 | Middlesex |
| Nearest City | Medford |
| River/Stream | Meetinghouse Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.44161, -71.11792 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1882 (144 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,040 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,040 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,614 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 80 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 178 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Winchester |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 02/22/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00453 |
| Federal ID | MA00453 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |