Fells Reservoir Dam No. 2 is an earth dam located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, built in 1898. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 12 ft12 ft tall and 290 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 Fells Reservoir Dam No. 2
The primary purpose of Fells Reservoir Dam No. 2 is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Ma Department of Conservation & Recreation (state). It impounds the Tributary to Malden River near Stoneham.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 290 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 14 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 150 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1898, the structure is over a century 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/08/2022.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Middlesex |
| Nearest City | Stoneham |
| River/Stream | Tributary to Malden River |
| Coordinates | 42.44756, -71.08622 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 290 ft |
| Year Completed | 1898 (128 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 150 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 150 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 85 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 14 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Ma Department of Conservation & Recreation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/08/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA03305 |
| Federal ID | MA03310S001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |