Old Oaken Bucket Pond Dam
Old Oaken Bucket Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, built in 1640. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Old Oaken Bucket Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Old Oaken Bucket Pond 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 Scituate (local government). It impounds the First Herring Brook near Scituate.
The dam stands 6 feet tall and stretches 370 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 0 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 70 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1640, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 04/05/2018.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Plymouth |
| Nearest City | Scituate |
| River/Stream | First Herring Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.17758, -70.75027 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 6 ft |
| Dam Length | 370 ft |
| Year Completed | 1640 (386 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 70 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 70 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 35 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 0 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Scituate |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/05/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA01041 |
| Federal ID | MA01041 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |