Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam

NORROWAY BROOK· Norfolk, Massachusetts· Built 1942· Earth· 18 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1942 and is 84 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 18 ft (taller than 63.9% in MA)
Dam Length2,775 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.9K acre-ft
Surface Area172 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Year Completed1942 (84 years old)
NID IDMA00823

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: October 14, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

TRI-TOWN WATER BOARD

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam?

Great Pond Upper Reservoir 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 Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam?

Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam is owned by TRI-TOWN WATER BOARD (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam built?

Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam 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 Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam?

Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam 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 Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam?

Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam was last inspected on October 14, 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.