Dam Emergency Action Plan

When maintained and operated correctly, dams are a safe and effective way to manage surface water supplies for communities. Both the Stony Brook and Hobbs Brook Dams were constructed in the 1880s and 1890s, respectively, and remain today in good working condition. These dams are considered "High" hazard by Federal and State regulators based on anticipated down-gradient impacts in the unlikely event of their failures, and thus are regularly maintained and inspected for structural integrity.

Common Watershed Division dam maintenance activities include:

  • Regular (~10/year) inspections conducted by Watershed Division staff;
  • Biyearly (once every two years) inspections conducted by professional engineers;
  • General maintenance of slopes and gates;
  • General maintenance of auxiliary spillways; and
  • Operation of safe reservoir levels.

Hobbs Brook Dam Upstream Slope

For more information, https://www.mass.gov/service-details/emergency-action-plans