Forest Lake Dam

Essex, Massachusetts· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Forest Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Massachusetts. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 2.3% in MA)
Dam Length100 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage120 acre-ft
Normal Storage60 acre-ft
Surface Area40 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
NID IDMA03000

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 19, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

CITY OF METHUEN, BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Methuen Falls

Essex, MA

Significant Hazard 23 ft

Canobie Lake Dam

Rockingham, NH

Low Hazard 8 ft

Marston Finn Conservation Dam

Rockingham, NH

Low Hazard 14 ft

Stevens Pond Outlet Dam

Essex, MA

High Hazard 19 ft

Millville Lake Dam

Rockingham, NH

High Hazard 20 ft

Searles Pond Dam

Essex, MA

Significant Hazard 8 ft

Great Stone

Essex, MA

Low Hazard 38 ft

Haggetts Pond Dam

Essex, MA

Significant Hazard 6 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Forest Lake Dam?

Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake Dam?

Forest Lake Dam is owned by CITY OF METHUEN, BOARD OF SELECTMEN (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Forest Lake Dam?

Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake Dam?

Forest Lake Dam has a dam height of 7 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 Forest Lake Dam last inspected?

Forest Lake Dam was last inspected on October 19, 2015. 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.