Centennial Dam
Centennial Dam is an earth dam located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Centennial Dam
The primary purpose of Centennial 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 Mother Brook Mill Pond near Dedham.
The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 350 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 113 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 11/17/2022.
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 | Norfolk |
| Nearest City | Dedham |
| River/Stream | Mother Brook Mill Pond |
| Coordinates | 42.24580, -71.15098 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 350 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 113 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 113 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 66 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,330 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | MA Department of Conservation & Recreation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/17/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA02569 |
| Federal ID | MA02569 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |