Rawson Hill Brook Dam

Rawson Hill Brook Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1963. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Rawson Hill Brook Dam

The primary purpose of Rawson Hill Brook Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Ma Department Of Conservation & Recreation (state). It impounds the Rawson Hill Brook near Shrewsbury.

The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 252 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 480 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 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 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 02/27/2017.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMassachusetts
CountyWorcester
Nearest CityShrewsbury
River/StreamRawson Hill Brook
Coordinates42.31771, -71.70539

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height16 ft
Dam Length252 ft
Year Completed1963 (63 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage480 acre-ft
Max Storage480 acre-ft
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerMA Department of Conservation & Recreation
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection02/27/2017
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMA00681
Federal IDMA00681
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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