Westminster Reservoir Dam
Westminster Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1909. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Westminster Reservoir Dam
Westminster Reservoir Dam is a dam in Worcester, Massachusetts. The dam is owned by Whitman River Dam, Inc. (private). It impounds the Whitman River near Westminster.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 1,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 116 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,800 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 12 square miles. Completed in 1909, the structure is over a century 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 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 05/07/2024.
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 | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Westminster |
| River/Stream | Whitman River |
| Coordinates | 42.59248, -71.91062 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1909 (117 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,800 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,800 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 870 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 116 acres |
| Drainage Area | 12 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,700 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | Whitman River Dam, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 05/07/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00639 |
| Federal ID | MA00639 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |