Bear Brook Dam
Bear Brook Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Bear Brook Dam
The primary purpose of Bear Brook Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by City Of Worcester (local government). It impounds the Bear Brook near Worcester.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 138 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 0 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles.
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 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 09/06/2023.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Worcester |
| River/Stream | Bear Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.27796, -71.78558 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 138 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 0 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 0 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 125 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | City of Worcester |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/06/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA03330 |
| Federal ID | MA03330 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |