Wyman Pond Compensating Reservoir Dam

SMITH BROOK· Worcester, Massachusetts· Built 1892· Concrete· 25 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Wyman Pond Compensating Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1892 and is 134 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 25 ft (taller than 79.2% in MA)
Dam Length250 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage2.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.2K acre-ft
Surface Area200 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Year Completed1892 (134 years old)
NID IDMA00641

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: April 18, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

CITY OF FITCHBURG, DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wyman Pond Compensating Reservoir Dam?

Wyman Pond Compensating 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 Wyman Pond Compensating Reservoir Dam?

Wyman Pond Compensating Reservoir Dam is owned by CITY OF FITCHBURG, DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wyman Pond Compensating Reservoir Dam built?

Wyman Pond Compensating Reservoir Dam was completed in 1892, making it 134 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 Wyman Pond Compensating Reservoir Dam?

Wyman Pond Compensating 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 Wyman Pond Compensating Reservoir Dam?

Wyman Pond Compensating Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 25 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 Wyman Pond Compensating Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Wyman Pond Compensating Reservoir Dam was last inspected on April 18, 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.