Fall Brook Reservoir Dam And Dike
Fall Brook Reservoir Dam And Dike is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1896. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Fall Brook Reservoir Dam And Dike
The primary purpose of Fall Brook Reservoir Dam And Dike 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 City Of Leominster (local government). It impounds the Fall Brook near Leominster.
The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 1,400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 83 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,750 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1896, the structure is over a century old.
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 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 05/12/2023.
At 37 feet, this dam is taller than 84% 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.
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 | 42.49733, -71.78014 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1896 (130 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,750 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,750 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,290 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 83 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Leominster |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/12/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00869 |
| Federal ID | MA00869 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |