Lake Rico Dam is an earth dam located in Bristol County, Massachusetts, built in 1972. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 27 ft27 ft tall and 1,100 ft long, taller than 59% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. 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 Lake Rico Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Rico Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Ma Department of Conservation & Recreation (state). It impounds the Furnace Brook near Taunton.
The dam stands 27 feet tall and stretches 1,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 210 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1972, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 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 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 04/10/2024.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Bristol |
| Nearest City | Taunton |
| River/Stream | Furnace Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.87989, -71.00067 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1972 (54 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,260 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 210 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Ma Department of Conservation & Recreation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 04/10/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA03091 |
| Federal ID | MA03091 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |