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High Risk Dams in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has 46 high hazard dams with a condition assessment of poor or unsatisfactory. These are dams where failure would probably cause loss of human life and where recognized safety deficiencies have been identified.

Of the 318 high hazard dams in Massachusetts, 46 (14%) have concerning condition ratings — 36 rated poor and 10 rated unsatisfactory.

Condition scale, best to worst
  1. Satisfactory No existing or potential safety deficiencies recognized; acceptable performance expected under all loading conditions.
  2. Fair No deficiencies under normal operating conditions; a rare flood or earthquake could create one.
  3. Poor A safety deficiency is recognized under normal operating conditions; remedial action is necessary.
  4. Unsatisfactory Worst rating. The dam is considered unsafe; a deficiency requires immediate or emergency remedial action.

"Not rated" means no assessment is on file in the National Inventory of Dams.

DamCountyHeight (ft)ConditionLast inspectedPurposeYear
Notch Reservoir DamBerkshire64Poor11/15/20232 yrs agoWater Supply1897
South Reservoir DamMiddlesex45Poor02/22/20233 yrs agoWater Supply1882
Haskell Pond DamEssex43Poor11/08/20223 yrs agoWater Supply1903
Sandwash Reservoir DamBerkshire41Poor10/19/20223 yrs agoWater Supply1936
Overlook Reservoir DamWorcester41Poor09/06/20233 yrs ago1871
Scott Reservoir DamWorcester40Poor09/06/20233 yrs agoWater Supply1875
Mount Williams Reservoir Dam & DikeBerkshire40Poor11/15/20232 yrs agoWater Supply1914
Fall Brook Reservoir Dam and DikeWorcester37Poor05/12/20233 yrs agoWater Supply1896
Stevens Pond DamWorcester30Poor12/30/20223 yrs agoRecreation1864
Whitney Pond DamWorcester27Poor11/22/20223 yrs agoRecreation1880
Framingham Reservoir No. 2 DamMiddlesex27Poor08/18/20224 yrs ago1878
Bel Air DamBerkshire27Unsatisfactory04/30/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Fort Meadow Reservoir DamMiddlesex26Poor05/24/20233 yrs agoRecreation1848
North Reservoir DamMiddlesex25Poor07/24/20197 yrs agoWater Supply1874
Willett Pond DamNorfolk25Poor06/30/20215 yrs agoRecreation1913
Damon Pond DamMiddlesex24Poor04/27/20233 yrs agoRecreation1938
Brick City Mill Pond DamWorcester23Unsatisfactory06/08/20233 yrs agoRecreation
Rochdale Pond DamWorcester20Poor06/09/20215 yrs agoRecreation
Stockbridge Bowl DamBerkshire19Poor06/04/20251 yr agoRecreation1880
Riiska Brook DamBerkshire19Poor03/29/20242 yrs agoRecreation1952
Fisherville Pond DamWorcester19Poor02/23/20224 yrs agoFlood Risk Reduction1882
Bird Pond DamNorfolk19Poor05/11/20233 yrs agoRecreation1800
Parker Mills Pond DamPlymouth19Poor03/30/20224 yrs agoRecreation
Chimney Pond DamWorcester18Unsatisfactory08/31/20233 yrs agoRecreation
Main Street DamMiddlesex18Poor03/23/20233 yrs agoRecreation1882
Upper Banjo Pond DamEssex17Poor08/25/20215 yrs agoRecreation1908
Mill Pond DamPlymouth17Poor11/23/20223 yrs agoRecreation1850
Moulton Pond DamWorcester16Unsatisfactory02/18/20224 yrs agoRecreation
Manchester Pond Reservoir South DikeBristol16Poor12/09/20223 yrs agoWater Supply1963
Fernwood Lake North DamEssex16Poor01/05/20242 yrs agoRecreation1877
Russell Pond DamPlymouth16Unsatisfactory04/14/20233 yrs agoRecreation
Weld Pond DamNorfolk15Poor10/23/20232 yrs agoRecreation1870
Barre Reservoir Dam & DikeWorcester15Poor04/26/20233 yrs agoRecreation
Tremont Mill PondPlymouth15Unsatisfactory06/10/20251 yr agoHydroelectric1845
Patch Pond DamWorcester14Unsatisfactory05/01/20233 yrs agoRecreation
Ellis Brett Pond DamPlymouth14Poor11/14/20223 yrs agoRecreation1930
Charles River Dam at South NatickMiddlesex14Poor10/26/20232 yrs agoRecreation
Hager Pond DamMiddlesex13Unsatisfactory06/02/20233 yrs agoRecreation1710
Manchester Pond Reservoir East DikeBristol12Poor12/09/20223 yrs agoWater Supply1963
Sabrina Lake West DikeNorfolk12Unsatisfactory06/11/20242 yrs agoRecreation1870
Fernwood Lake West DamEssex11Poor01/05/20242 yrs agoRecreation1877
Houghton Pond DamMiddlesex10Poor05/10/20215 yrs agoRecreation1898
Monument Pond DamBristol10Unsatisfactory03/29/20224 yrs agoFire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond
Morse Pond DamBristol9Poor05/02/20233 yrs agoRecreation1920
Brierly Pond DikeWorcester8Poor04/27/20233 yrs agoRecreation
Fernwood Lake East DamEssex5Poor01/05/20242 yrs agoRecreation1877

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