Lower Shawme Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, built in 1654. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 10 ft10 ft tall and 120 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Lower Shawme Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Lower Shawme Lake 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 Sandwich (local government). It impounds the Mill Creek - Spring Fed near Sandwich.
The dam stands 10 feet tall and stretches 120 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 26 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 63 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1654, 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 06/11/2019.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Barnstable |
| Nearest City | Sandwich |
| River/Stream | Mill Creek - Spring Fed |
| Coordinates | 41.75773, -70.50045 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Length | 120 ft |
| Year Completed | 1654 (372 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 63 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 63 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 32 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 26 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Town of Sandwich |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/11/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA02470 |
| Federal ID | MA02470 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |