Newton Pond Dam

Newton Pond Dam is a concrete dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1949. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Newton Pond Dam

The primary purpose of Newton Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town Of Shrewsbury (local government). It impounds the Tributary Of Middle River, Sewell Brook near Shrewsbury.

The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 140 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 55 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 406 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1949, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.

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 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 01/18/2023.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMassachusetts
CountyWorcester
Nearest CityShrewsbury
River/StreamTributary Of Middle River, Sewell Brook
Coordinates42.30833, -71.74957

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeConcrete
NID Height12 ft
Dam Length140 ft
Year Completed1949 (77 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage406 acre-ft
Max Storage406 acre-ft
Normal Storage260 acre-ft
Surface Area55 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge562 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerTown of Shrewsbury
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection01/18/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMA00682
Federal IDMA00682
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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