Southbridge Reservoir No. 5 Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1938. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 38 ft38 ft tall and 1,130 ft long, taller than 84% 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 Southbridge Reservoir No. 5 Dam
The primary purpose of Southbridge Reservoir No. 5 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 Southbridge (local government). It impounds the Hatchet Brook near Southbridge.
The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 1,130 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 30 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 610 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1938, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 07/08/2020.
At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 84% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Southbridge |
| River/Stream | Hatchet Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.04302, -72.08146 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,130 ft |
| Year Completed | 1938 (88 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 610 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 610 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 491 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 30 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,870 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Southbridge |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/08/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00693 |
| Federal ID | MA00693 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |