Lake Cochichewick Outlet Dam
Lake Cochichewick Outlet Dam is an earth dam located in Essex County, Massachusetts, built in 1865. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Lake Cochichewick Outlet Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Cochichewick Outlet 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 North Andover (local government). It impounds the Cochichewick Brook near N. Andover.
The dam stands 13 feet tall and stretches 100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 575 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 8,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1865, 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 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 01/09/2024.
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.
Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Essex |
| Nearest City | N. Andover |
| River/Stream | Cochichewick Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.68978, -71.10531 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Length | 100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1865 (161 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 8,100 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 8,100 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 6,300 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 575 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of North Andover |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 01/09/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00278 |
| Federal ID | MA00278 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |