Lake Shirley Dam
Key Takeaway
Lake Shirley Dam is classified as high hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1857 and is 169 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 | 21 ft (taller than 72.5% in MA) |
| Dam Length | 420 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 7.7K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3.0K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1 acres |
| Drainage Area | 14 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1857 (169 years old) |
| NID ID | MA00455 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
TOWN OF LUNENBERG, BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Local Government
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What is the hazard classification of Lake Shirley Dam?
Lake Shirley 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 Lake Shirley Dam?
Lake Shirley Dam is owned by TOWN OF LUNENBERG, BOARD OF SELECTMEN (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Lake Shirley Dam built?
Lake Shirley Dam was completed in 1857, making it 169 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 Lake Shirley Dam?
Lake Shirley 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 Lake Shirley Dam?
Lake Shirley Dam has a dam height of 21 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 Lake Shirley Dam last inspected?
Lake Shirley Dam was last inspected on November 21, 2017. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.