New Charles River Dam
New Charles River Dam is a concrete dam located in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, built in 1978. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About New Charles River Dam
The primary purpose of New Charles River Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Ma Department Of Conservation & Recreation (state). It impounds the Charles River near Boston.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 705 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 7,820 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 313 square miles. Completed in 1978, the structure is 48 years old.
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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 02/24/2022.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Suffolk |
| Nearest City | Boston |
| River/Stream | Charles River |
| Coordinates | 42.36866, -71.06075 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 900 ft |
| Year Completed | 1978 (48 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 7,820 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 7,820 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,950 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 705 acres |
| Drainage Area | 313 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 8,400 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | MA Department of Conservation & Recreation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/24/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA01092 |
| Federal ID | MA01092 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |