Upper Merino Pond Dam
Upper Merino Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Upper Merino Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Upper Merino Pond Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Town Of Dudley (local government). It impounds the Unnamed Tributary To French River near Dudley.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 285 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 75 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 880 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 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 11/02/2023.
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 | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Dudley |
| River/Stream | Unnamed Tributary To French River |
| Coordinates | 42.04923, -71.89405 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 285 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 880 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 880 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 620 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 75 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,120 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Dudley |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/02/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00110 |
| Federal ID | MA00110 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |