Whitin Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1854. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 33 ft33 ft tall and 500 ft long, taller than 76% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Whitin Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Whitin Reservoir Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Whitin Reservoir Watershed District (local government). It impounds the Mumford River near Douglas.
The dam stands 33 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 335 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,475 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1854, 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 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 09/01/2023.
At 33 feet, this dam is taller than 76% of dams nationwide.
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 | Douglas |
| River/Stream | Mumford River |
| Coordinates | 42.07249, -71.75771 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Length | 500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1854 (172 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,475 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,475 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,200 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 335 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 609 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Whitin Reservoir Watershed District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/01/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00200 |
| Federal ID | MA00200 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |