North Reservoir Dam
North Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, built in 1874. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About North Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of North 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 Sawmill Brook near Winchester.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 780 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 55 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 893 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1874, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 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 07/24/2019.
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 | Winchester |
| River/Stream | Sawmill Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.46491, -71.11873 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 780 ft |
| Year Completed | 1874 (152 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 893 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 893 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 712 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 55 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Winchester |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 07/24/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00457 |
| Federal ID | MA00457 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |