Fells Reservoir Dam No. 3 is an earth dam located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, built in 1898. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 25 ft25 ft tall and 130 ft long, taller than 50% 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 Fells Reservoir Dam No. 3
The primary purpose of Fells Reservoir Dam No. 3 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 N/a near Stoneham.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 130 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 carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Massachusetts dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Middlesex |
| Nearest City | Stoneham |
| River/Stream | N/a |
| Coordinates | 42.44731, -71.08488 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 130 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 | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/08/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA03306 |
| Federal ID | MA03310S002 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |