Sanford Mill Pond Dam
The Sanford Mill Pond Dam is located in Norfolk County between the town lines of Medway and Franklin, Massachusetts. The dam is approximately 110 feet long with a structural height of 18 feet. It impounds water from the Charles River to form Sanford Mill Pond. The reservoir surface area is 60 acres, and the normal impoundment volume is 64 acre-feet. The maximum impoundment volume is 160 acre-feet. The dam is a “run-of-the-river” dam with no earthen embankment. Water flows in an easterly direction with the Charles River.
Sanford Mill Pond Dam is a part of the Charles River Watershed. The drainage area of the dam is 65 square miles as determined by Massachusetts StreamStats. The limits extend 6.2 miles north, 7.4 miles south, 7.8 miles west, and 0.9 miles east of the dam. Land use primarily consists of forested lands and urban development.
Critical infrastructure and dozens of residences are located within one mile downstream of the dam. Additionally, the dam is directly connected to the foundation of the Sanford Mill Condominiums, which contains 69 residential units. Approximately 150 feet downstream of the dam is the Sanford Street Bridge, which is a primary route connecting Medway and Franklin. Walker Street Bridge is roughly 0.7 miles downstream, and approximately 30 residences border the Charles River within this area. The Town of Medway’s new Drinking Water Treatment Plant was built on a parcel abutting the Charles River and is located less than a mile downstream. Moreover, the water main that connects the Drinking Water Treatment Plant to the town is supported by the Walker Street Bridge.
Historically, the dam provided power to the adjacent Sanford Mill building which was used to manufacture textiles during the industrial revolution. Currently, the dam’s impoundment is used for recreational purposes.
Sanford Dam Alternatives Analysis
Sanford Dam Alternatives Analysis - Final Report
Public Meeting 6.2.26 - recording
Public Meeting 6.2.26 - presentation slides
Public Meeting 4.28.25 - recording
Public Meeting 4.28.25 - presentation slides
Sanford Dam - Inspection Reports
Phase I Inspection Report - April 2024
Phase I Inspection Report - June 2019
Other Materials