Bristol Blake State Reservoir Dam

Bristol Blake State Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, built in 1700. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.

About Bristol Blake State Reservoir Dam

The primary purpose of Bristol Blake State Reservoir Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Ma Department Of Conservation & Recreation (state). It impounds the Stony Brook near Norfolk.

The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 180 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1700, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/16/2022.

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Significant HazardPoor ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMassachusetts
CountyNorfolk
Nearest CityNorfolk
River/StreamStony Brook
Coordinates42.10897, -71.31728

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height15 ft
Dam Length250 ft
Year Completed1700 (326 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage180 acre-ft
Max Storage180 acre-ft
Normal Storage1 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerMA Department of Conservation & Recreation
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentPoor
Last Inspection06/16/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMA00749
Federal IDMA00749
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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