New Bedford Reservoir Dam

About New Bedford Reservoir Dam

The primary purpose of New Bedford Reservoir Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by City Of New Bedford (local government). It impounds the Acushnet River near Acushnet.

The dam stands 10 feet tall and stretches 650 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 217 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,265 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1867, 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 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 07/16/2020.

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