Falls Pond Dam
Falls Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Bristol County, Massachusetts, built in 1890. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Falls Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Falls Pond Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Town Of North Attleboro (local government). It impounds the Ten Mile River near N. Attleborough.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 160 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 111 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,420 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1890, 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 05/17/2021.
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 | Bristol |
| Nearest City | N. Attleborough |
| River/Stream | Ten Mile River |
| Coordinates | 41.97068, -71.31929 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 160 ft |
| Year Completed | 1890 (136 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,420 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,420 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 807 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 111 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,810 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Town of North Attleboro |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/17/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00865 |
| Federal ID | MA00865 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |