Wildwood Lake Dam
Wildwood Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1963. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Wildwood Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Wildwood Lake 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 Upton (local government). It impounds the West River near Upton.
The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 420 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 43 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 469 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1963, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 11/22/2022.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Upton |
| River/Stream | West River |
| Coordinates | 42.17369, -71.63530 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 420 ft |
| Year Completed | 1963 (63 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 469 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 469 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 244 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 43 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Upton |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/22/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00667 |
| Federal ID | MA00667 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |