Farnums Mill Pond Dam

TRIBUTARY OF BOSTON BROOK· Essex, Massachusetts· Built 1900· Earth· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Farnums Mill Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 45.2% in MA)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage100 acre-ft
Normal Storage55 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDMA01206

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: October 22, 2009
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

BENJAMIN FARNUM

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Farnums Mill Pond Dam?

Farnums Mill Pond Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Farnums Mill Pond Dam?

Farnums Mill Pond Dam is owned by BENJAMIN FARNUM (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Farnums Mill Pond Dam built?

Farnums Mill Pond Dam was completed in 1900, making it 126 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 Farnums Mill Pond Dam?

Farnums Mill Pond Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Farnums Mill Pond Dam?

Farnums Mill Pond Dam has a dam height of 14 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 Farnums Mill Pond Dam last inspected?

Farnums Mill Pond Dam was last inspected on October 22, 2009. 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.