Sawdy Pond Dam
Sawdy Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Bristol County, Massachusetts, built in 1938. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Sawdy Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Sawdy Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by City Of Fall River (local government). It impounds the Stoney Brook near Westport.
The dam stands 11 feet tall and stretches 850 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 370 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1938, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/20/2021.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Bristol |
| Nearest City | Westport |
| River/Stream | Stoney Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.62858, -71.13412 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Length | 850 ft |
| Year Completed | 1938 (88 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,400 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 370 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 560 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | City of Fall River |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 12/20/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA02491 |
| Federal ID | MA02491 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |