Whittenton Pond Dam facts for kids

The Whittenton Pond Dam was an earthen dam built across the Mill River in Taunton, Massachusetts. It was owned by a private company.

What Was the Whittenton Pond Dam?

The original dam was built in 1832. It was made of wood and stood about 12 feet (3.7 meters) high. It was located about half a mile upstream from downtown Taunton.

In the summer of 2005, a real-estate company called Infinity Holdings bought the dam. This company was from the Boston area.

The Big Scare of 2005

Starting on October 12, 2005, very heavy and long-lasting rains fell over New England. By Sunday, October 16, officials realized the dam was in serious trouble. They worried it might break and send a 6-foot (1.8 m) wall of water flooding into Taunton.

Because of this danger, about 2,000 people living in Taunton had to leave their homes on Tuesday. Twenty-one soldiers from the National Guard were sent to Taunton to help. Schools were closed, and several roads were blocked off. Large pumps were used to move water around the dam and drain Whittenton Pond. This helped prevent a huge flood.

What Happened After the Scare?

Even though the old wooden dam did not completely break, later checks showed it was badly damaged. The state of Massachusetts had last checked the dam's safety in 2003.

After Whittenton Pond was drained, the old dam was taken down. A new dam was built in its place. This new dam was made of compressed earth and rock, making it much stronger.

The Dam's Final Removal

In 2008, the Whittenton Pond Dam was part of a study. This study looked at whether it would be a good idea to remove dams along the Mill River.

Finally, in 2013, the Whittenton Pond Dam was permanently removed.