Indian Brook Dam
Indian Brook Dam is an earth dam located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, built in 1930. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Indian Brook Dam
The primary purpose of Indian Brook Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Ma Department Of Transportation (state). It impounds the Indian Brook near Plymouth.
The dam stands 13 feet tall and stretches 200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 8 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1930, 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 02/08/2023.
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 | Plymouth |
| Nearest City | Plymouth |
| River/Stream | Indian Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.88710, -70.53731 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Length | 200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1930 (96 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 100 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 100 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 15 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 8 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 370 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | MA Department of Transportation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 02/08/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA01032 |
| Federal ID | MA01032 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |