Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike

OFFSTREAM· Middlesex, Massachusetts· Built 1900· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike is classified as low hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 69.5% in MA)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.0K acre-ft
Surface Area148 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDMA01235

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: Yes
Last Inspection: September 3, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

CITY OF FITCHBURG, DIVISION OF WATER SUPPLY

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike?

Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike 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 Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike?

Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike is owned by CITY OF FITCHBURG, DIVISION OF WATER SUPPLY (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike built?

Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike 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 Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike?

Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike?

Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike has a dam height of 20 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 Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike last inspected?

Fitchburg Reservoir South Dike was last inspected on September 3, 2013. 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.