Sweets Pond Dam

WADING RIVER· Bristol, Massachusetts· Built 1934· Rockfill· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Sweets Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1934 and is 92 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 32.1% in MA)
Dam Length550 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage72 acre-ft
Normal Storage36 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area20 sq mi
Year Completed1934 (92 years old)
NID IDMA00864

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: April 11, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

TOWN OF MANSFIELD, TOWN ENGINEER

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sweets Pond Dam?

Sweets Pond 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 Sweets Pond Dam?

Sweets Pond Dam is owned by TOWN OF MANSFIELD, TOWN ENGINEER (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sweets Pond Dam built?

Sweets Pond Dam was completed in 1934, making it 92 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 Sweets Pond Dam?

Sweets Pond Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Sweets Pond Dam?

Sweets Pond Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Sweets Pond Dam last inspected?

Sweets Pond Dam was last inspected on April 11, 2018. 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.