Cold Harbor Brook Dam

COLD HARBOR BROOK· Worcester, Massachusetts· Built 1963· Earth· 22 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Cold Harbor Brook Dam is classified as high hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1963 and is 63 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 22 ft (taller than 73.7% in MA)
Dam Length1,150 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Year Completed1963 (63 years old)
NID IDMA00996

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: June 28, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

DCR - DEPT. OF CONSERVATION & RECREATION

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cold Harbor Brook Dam?

Cold Harbor Brook Dam 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 Cold Harbor Brook Dam?

Cold Harbor Brook Dam is owned by DCR - DEPT. OF CONSERVATION & RECREATION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cold Harbor Brook Dam built?

Cold Harbor Brook Dam was completed in 1963, making it 63 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 Cold Harbor Brook Dam?

Cold Harbor Brook Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cold Harbor Brook Dam?

Cold Harbor Brook Dam has a dam height of 22 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 Cold Harbor Brook Dam last inspected?

Cold Harbor Brook Dam was last inspected on June 28, 2016. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.