Ashby Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, built in 1918. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 28 ft28 ft tall and 180 ft long, taller than 62% 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 Ashby Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Ashby Reservoir 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 City of Fitchburg (local government). It impounds the Willard Brook near Ashby.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 180 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 41 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 294 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1918, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 11/19/2020.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Middlesex |
| Nearest City | Ashby |
| River/Stream | Willard Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.66129, -71.82679 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 180 ft |
| Year Completed | 1918 (108 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 294 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 294 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 198 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 41 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,094 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Fitchburg |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/19/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00334 |
| Federal ID | MA00334 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |