Lovell Reservoir Dam
Lovell Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1929. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Lovell Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Lovell 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 City Of Fitchburg (local government). It impounds the Falulah Brook near Fitchburg.
The dam stands 84 feet tall and stretches 800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 33 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,131 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1929, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/09/2024.
At 84 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Fitchburg |
| River/Stream | Falulah Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.61579, -71.81950 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 84 ft |
| Dam Length | 800 ft |
| Year Completed | 1929 (97 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,131 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,131 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 890 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 33 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,390 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Fitchburg |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 04/09/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00872 |
| Federal ID | MA00872 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |