Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike
Key Takeaway
Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike is classified as high hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1942 and is 84 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 49 ft (taller than 95.4% in MA) |
| Dam Length | 1,400 ft |
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| Max Storage | 76.0K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 0 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1 acres |
| Drainage Area | 175 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 56,600 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1942 (84 years old) |
| NID ID | MA00963 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
USACE - New England District
Federal Government
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What is the hazard classification of Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike?
Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike?
Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike is owned by USACE - New England District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike built?
Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike was completed in 1942, making it 84 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.
What is the primary purpose of Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike?
Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike?
Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike has a dam height of 49 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.
When was Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike last inspected?
Birch Hill Dam - Winchenden Dike was last inspected on October 19, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.