Southbridge Reservoir No. 3 Dam
Southbridge Reservoir No. 3 Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1894. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Southbridge Reservoir No. 3 Dam
The primary purpose of Southbridge Reservoir No. 3 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 Southbridge (local government). It impounds the Hatchet Brook near Southbridge.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 590 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 24 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 350 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1894, the structure is over a century old.
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 11/03/2021.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Southbridge |
| River/Stream | Hatchet Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.05650, -72.07213 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Length | 590 ft |
| Year Completed | 1894 (132 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 350 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 350 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 261 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 24 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 890 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Southbridge |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/03/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00691 |
| Federal ID | MA00691 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |