Norumbega Reservoir Dam No. 1

About Norumbega Reservoir Dam No. 1

The primary purpose of Norumbega Reservoir Dam No. 1 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 Ma Department Of Conservation & Recreation (state). It impounds the Seaverns Brook near Weston.

The dam stands 42 feet tall and stretches 1,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 38 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1940, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.

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 11/03/2022.

At 42 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.

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.

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