Damon Pond Dam
Damon Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, built in 1938. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Damon Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Damon Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Ma Department Of Conservation & Recreation (state). It impounds the Willard Brook near Ashby.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 215 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 22 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1938, 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 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 04/27/2023.
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.
Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Middlesex |
| Nearest City | Ashby |
| River/Stream | Willard Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.66215, -71.79109 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Length | 215 ft |
| Year Completed | 1938 (88 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 22 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 22 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | MA Department of Conservation & Recreation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 04/27/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA02518 |
| Federal ID | MA02518 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |