John A. W. Pearce Lake Dam

TRIBUTARY OF SAUGUS RIVER· Essex, Massachusetts· Earth· 11 ft tall
Significant Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

John A. W. Pearce Lake Dam is classified as significant hazard in Massachusetts. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 25.5% in MA)
Dam Length102 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage75 acre-ft
Normal Storage55 acre-ft
Surface Area21 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
NID IDMA00275

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: September 7, 2017
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 John A. W. Pearce Lake Dam?

John A. W. Pearce Lake Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates John A. W. Pearce Lake Dam?

John A. W. Pearce Lake Dam is owned by DCR - DEPT. OF CONSERVATION & RECREATION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of John A. W. Pearce Lake Dam?

John A. W. Pearce Lake Dam serves the following purposes: 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 John A. W. Pearce Lake Dam?

John A. W. Pearce Lake Dam has a dam height of 11 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 John A. W. Pearce Lake Dam last inspected?

John A. W. Pearce Lake Dam was last inspected on September 7, 2017. 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.