Cobbs Pond Dam

Cobbs Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Cobbs Pond Dam

The primary purpose of Cobbs Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town Of Walpole (local government). It impounds the Cobbs Brook Which Flows Into Neponset River near Walpole.

The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 220 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 12 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 235 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles.

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 03/31/2023.

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.

High HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMassachusetts
CountyNorfolk
Nearest CityWalpole
River/StreamCobbs Brook Which Flows Into Neponset River
Coordinates42.15845, -71.24254

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height12 ft
Dam Length220 ft

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage235 acre-ft
Max Storage235 acre-ft
Normal Storage30 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge170 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerTown of Walpole
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection03/31/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMA02482
Federal IDMA02482
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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