Sabrina Lake West Dike

Sabrina Lake West Dike is an earth dam located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, built in 1870. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.

About Sabrina Lake West Dike

The primary purpose of Sabrina Lake West Dike is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Fred D. Ledley & Tamara Shapiro Ledley;grove Street 465 Realty Trust;james B. & Roberta H. Swenson;jerome Rappaport Jr. & Lori Rappaport;sandra Geddes;wellesley Conservation Land Trust (private).

The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 1,800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 19 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 137 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1870, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/11/2024.

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 HazardUnsatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMassachusetts
CountyNorfolk
Nearest CityNeedham; Wellesley
Coordinates42.27532, -71.29017

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height12 ft
Dam Length1,800 ft
Year Completed1870 (156 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage137 acre-ft
Max Storage137 acre-ft
Normal Storage95 acre-ft
Surface Area19 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge40 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerFred D. Ledley & Tamara Shapiro Ledley;Grove Street 465 Realty Trust;James B. & Roberta H. Swenson;Jerome Rappaport Jr. & Lori Rappaport;Sandra Geddes;Wellesley Conservation Land Trust
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentUnsatisfactory
Last Inspection06/11/2024
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMA03496
Federal IDMA03138S002
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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