Stearns Millpond Dam
Stearns Millpond Dam is an earth dam located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, built in 1677. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Stearns Millpond Dam
The primary purpose of Stearns Millpond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town Of Sudbury (local government). It impounds the Hop Brook near Sudbury.
The dam stands 9 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 191 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1677, 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 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 11/01/2019.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Middlesex |
| Nearest City | Sudbury |
| River/Stream | Hop Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.38759, -71.44934 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Length | 250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1677 (349 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 191 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 191 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 111 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 353 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Town of Sudbury |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/01/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA01132 |
| Federal ID | MA01132 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |