Wrights Reservoir Dam
Wrights Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1965. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Wrights Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Wrights Reservoir 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 Gardner (local government). It impounds the Greenwood Brook near Gardner.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 163 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,693 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1965, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/12/2023.
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 | Gardner |
| River/Stream | Greenwood Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.55014, -71.97236 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1965 (61 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,693 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,693 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 513 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 163 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | City of Gardner |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/12/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00117 |
| Federal ID | MA00117 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |