Lake Samoset Dam
Lake Samoset Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Samoset Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Samoset Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Lake Samoset Property Owners Association (private). It impounds the Fall Brook near Leominster.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 150 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 40 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 386 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles.
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 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 11/17/2023.
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.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Leominster |
| River/Stream | Fall Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.49556, -71.75818 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Length | 150 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 386 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 386 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 302 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 40 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 417 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Lake Samoset Property Owners Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/17/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00866 |
| Federal ID | MA00866 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |