Sanford Mill Pond Dam
Sanford Mill Pond Dam is a concrete dam located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, built in 1881. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Sanford Mill Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Sanford Mill Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Last Known Owner - Dissolved - Milldam Management Corporation (private). It impounds the Charles River near Franklin; Medway.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 40 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 8 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 160 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 65 square miles. Completed in 1881, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 04/30/2024.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Norfolk |
| Nearest City | Franklin; Medway |
| River/Stream | Charles River |
| Coordinates | 42.13864, -71.39867 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 40 ft |
| Year Completed | 1881 (145 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 160 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 160 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 64 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 8 acres |
| Drainage Area | 65 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Last Known Owner - Dissolved - Milldam Management Corporation |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 04/30/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA01081 |
| Federal ID | MA01081 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |