Kettle Brook Reservoir No. 4 Dam
Kettle Brook Reservoir No. 4 Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1904. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Kettle Brook Reservoir No. 4 Dam
The primary purpose of Kettle Brook Reservoir No. 4 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 Worcester (local government). It impounds the Kettle Brook near Paxton.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 1,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 115 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,855 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1904, 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 03/16/2020.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% 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 | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Paxton |
| River/Stream | Kettle Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.29484, -71.91849 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1904 (122 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,855 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,855 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,681 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 115 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 658 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Worcester |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/16/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00677 |
| Federal ID | MA00677 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |